ReHope’s Persistent Fight Against Sex Trafficking in the United States is Now Making an International Impact
International Visitors
Last Monday, Global Ties KC, in partnership with the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), welcomed lawyers, activists, and law enforcement officers from across the world—including Brazil, Cyprus, Egypt, Malaysia, Nigeria, Portugal, and Uzbekistan—to ReHope Farms. The objective of the visit was for ReHope and local partners to hold an open discussion about their support services and programs for survivors of human trafficking, as well as take a tour of the farm.
Introductory Presentation of ReHope’s Programs and Services
The morning began with ReHope staff and IVLP delegates getting to know each other and hearing about the unique roles each person played in their field of expertise. After warm introductions were exchanged, Chief Executive Officer of ReHope, Jason Alvis, gave an overview of ReHope’s Four Pillars of Service—ReHope University, ReHope Youth, ReHope Market, and ReHope Farms. He communicated that although each program has unique objectives to fulfill, ReHope’s ultimate mission is to provide the support and treatment needed for survivors to process their trauma and be successfully reintegrated back into society.
IVLP delegates also received an insider’s look into ReHope’s intake process, the purpose of their curriculum, and the three phases that adult female participants go through in order to graduate: the Safe Zone, the Growth Zone, and the Transitional Zone.
Each phase is designed to last up to one year, which means that by the time survivors have gone through all three phases of care, they will have had the opportunity to reach the thirty-sixth month mark before graduation. The Safe Zone (0-12 month mark) is ReHope’s entry level phase in which new participants move into phase one housing and experience safety stability, trauma therapy, healing, and responsibility. The next phase, the Growth Zone (13-24 month mark), is when participants transition into phase two housing, continue in therapy, work part-time, study, pursue an education, take on more responsibility, and experience peer leadership. The last phase, the Transitional Zone (24-36 month mark) is when participants move into transitional phase three housing, experience a safe community, receive sustainable support, continue peer leadership, and work full-time.
At the end of the presentation, IVLP delegates were informed of relevant data on what areas of the U.S. the majority of ReHope’s survivors come from—50% from the Kansas City, Missouri area, and the other 50% from states across the country.
Post Presentation Discussion
At the end of the informational presentation, IVLP delegates were invited to ask questions specifically regarding ReHope. Topics that were discussed included ReHope’s on site trauma counseling, as well as their support of off site psychological services. When inquiries about ReHope’s security were brought up, it was communicated that ReHope has taken extensive measures to ensure protection and a sense of safety for survivors. Such measures have included offering transportation services for phase one participants, communicating regularly with survivors’ case managers to make sure they are smoothly transitioned back into society after graduating from ReHope, and even occasionally asking law enforcement officers to do paperwork from their vehicles at ReHope Farm’s parking lot where they are visible to survivors. When asked by an IVLP delegate if ReHope was a drug and alcohol-free facility, it was explained that although they do not allow drugs or alcohol on their premises, a huge part of ReHope’s recovery programs include helping survivors work through their addictions—as many of them enter ReHope coming off of drugs and alcohol. When asked how ReHope has been able to financially support itself, different areas of funding were covered, including grants, donor funding, and fundraising events like the annual Freedom Gala. After questions and answers were concluded, IVLP delegates were guided on an exciting tour of the premises.
Tour of ReHope Farms
First, the group visited the office building, in which they passed by staff offices—some decorated with survivor-made art, a warm and inviting communal kitchen and living space, and a library that was filled with women joyfully interacting with each other. Next, they went to ReHope’s workshop space, where they learned about the positive rehabilitation effects of ReHope’s healing arts programs and the joy that survivors experience from selling their artwork and products. Outside, IVLP delegates were able to see the progress being made on ReHope’s barn expansion project, and were informed of plans for a future community center. Lastly, they explored a phase three cottage that featured a brand new kitchen, spotless floors, an inviting open seating area, and an efficiently designed bedroom and bathroom. Perhaps most notably, the home had many windows from which a survivor could enjoy the calming scenery of the farm. After the group learned about the logistics that go into building ReHope’s cottages and houses, they were shown a map of the premises and heard how ReHope plans to initially add ten cottages in 2024 and ultimately twenty to ReHope’s farm.
Open Discussion
Following the tour, the IVLP delegates and ReHope staff engaged in an open, back-and-forth discussion. One of the first questions that was raised involved ReHope’s policies on receiving participants who do not meet the required criteria for acceptance into ReHope’s Farms. ReHope staff explained that on occasion there have been exceptions to the rules if the case is compelling enough, and that every case is always taken into careful consideration before reaching a final consensus. It was also clarified that ReHope is able to refer individuals who are not accepted into their program to similar programs and services from other organizations that will better suit their needs.
Another question that was asked by an IVLP delegate was if ReHope Farms accepted survivors from different countries, to which the answer was twofold. While the majority of ReHope’s participants are from the United States, ReHope has housed and helped survivors from other countries, and is currently giving care to one. Additionally, although almost all participants are American citizens, ReHope’s survivors come from a variety of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. After ReHope staff heard from a couple IVLP delegates about the programs, resources, and services that their own countries provide to survivors of sex trafficking, the discussion shifted into sharing information that was mutually beneficial to those inside and outside of the United States.
A ReHope volunteer shared her knowledge about organizations such as Women At Risk International (W.A.R.) and European Freedom Network (EFN) that support sex trafficking survivors on a global scale. She shared that while W.A.R. has purchased survivor-made products from different countries and sometimes assists survivors who are trying to start their own businesses, EFN is an organization that provides professional training conferences and collaborates across borders to work with anti-trafficking organizational leaders to affect government policies, share ideas, and establish best practices.
Chairwoman of the Board at ReHope, Becky Moyer, closed out the open discussion by emphasizing that because ReHope’s focus is to specialize in what they do best, they are passionate about collaborating and partnering with organizations and individuals who specialize in other areas. On behalf of ReHope, she extended deep gratitude to every person in the meeting for the unique roles they fill in the fight to end sex trafficking and give restoration to survivors—across the street and across the globe.
Visit REHOPE.org for more info on how you can get involved in the fight against human trafficking.