Joy Jar Moment

In honor of our 20th anniversary, RAHAB is taking every opportunity to share moments of joy with you from the women and children we get to serve.

As they and our staff and volunteers handwrite a joyful moment on a piece of paper and put it in one of our Joy Jars, we want you to join the celebration as well … for “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5).

Joy Jar Moment: A participant went to court against her trafficker. We celebrate doing hard things!

For survivors, going to court can bring up all kinds of difficult emotions — fear, shame, anger, and frustration, to name a few. Especially when facing their perpetrator in court, survivors of abuse often experience triggers and re-traumatization.

Additionally, the court process can be lengthy and last weeks, months, or even years. Sometimes survivors are asked to testify against their abuser, which can require a great deal of emotional and mental preparation.

With all of the barriers and complex emotions that court can bring, victim advocates can provide essential support for survivors.

Victim advocates from the Summit Regional Human Trafficking Task Force are trained to provide support and resources to survivors navigating the court process. Whether this means providing a listening ear, explaining the process, or referring survivors to supportive services, victim advocates can be essential to making court less intimidating.

Whether or not a survivor decides to face their perpetrator in court, our victim advocates strive to empower those we serve to make the choice that is right for them. We know this decision can be difficult and believe that empowered choices are always worth celebrating!

Courage in Creativity

Poetry is a coping skill for one of our friends at the Drop-In. She has told us she appreciates staff because we believe in her and make her believe in herself.

She is always writing poetry and sharing it courageously with staff and volunteers … and today she’s given us permission to share one of her latest poems with you!

“Confusion”
Time keeps moving, I’m wondering if
I’m doing it right. Life’s passing by
Keep wondering. Am I moving right.
Changing my ways they say I’m acting
different I’m just tryna find my own lane.
Can’t think for yourself? Better find your own
brain. Bit my tongue they say I talk
a lot, but I make a difference…why
stay if you gon’ keep trippin. My
word is my only weapon but it’s strong
so I keep em’ steppin. I gotta fend for
my own can’t believe I wanted to be grown.
Oops! But I just wanted to grow.
Stay and tryna hide my emotions,
which all they do is show, Mind is
lost sometimes, and I lose hope, they
say I’m not approaching things right
and I need to “cope,” but what if I still
have some of my old ways stuck with
me. Pple up and & left – grew tired ran out
of luck with me. I guess this is a part of
getting older or maybe this world just
got a lil colder. I grew wiser but I gained
pain. Some days may have went
insane. & only a few things help me
maintain! But I’m confused you know?
Most might call it delusional. I be in my
own world, but reality done hit me.
But I can’t be lost in my own pity…drawing in
Sorrows…I just been praying for better tomorrows.
—A

Please keep the women and children we serve in your prayers.

Speaking up and speaking out on their own behalf takes courage and bravery. Thank you for the beautiful role you play in every step on their journey toward healing!

Staff Highlight!

Today we’d like you to get to know Madison Davisson, one of our staff members.

Madison started working for RAHAB in 2020 as a Child Care Worker at the minor safehouse, then as a Resident Supervisor. She is now a Victim Advocate and Case Manager for the Summit Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.

“Working alongside law enforcement, hospitals, and other community partners are some of my favorite parts about my role,” Madison explains. “It is amazing to be part of a team working toward the same goals of love, justice, and freedom for every person being exploited.”

Her passion for trafficking prevention, victim identification, and restoration for survivors was sparked in 2016 during an internship she did in Greece. This is where she was first exposed to the horrific realities of exploitation — and from that point on the Lord showed Madison that He was specifically preparing her for this work. “I came across RAHAB when I was looking for local opportunities to join the fight,” she told us.

Since then, “I have learned so many different things,” Madison shares, “mostly about myself and about the character of God. Matthew 18:12 says, ‘What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?’”

One of her favorite memories is when RAHAB got to take some of the youth to a hot air balloon festival. “We had front-row seats to watch all the magic. I also loved when we got to take them to play in fountains on hot days. They would run around in the water for hours, and it was truly a joy to see them just being kids.”

Madison’s passion for and dedication to the mission to help other reach above hopelessness and brokenness is contagious. She says: “I know we are going to continue to see the devil’s plans disrupted … and I can’t wait for what’s in store!”

Amen!

 

Easter Baskets for our Friends

 

Easter is right around the corner … and RAHAB is in need of gifts for our friends — some of whom have never received an Easter basket before.

We love getting to present them with thoughtful gifts, telling them about the true meaning of Easter, and sharing with them about the greatest gift of all: the good news of Jesus!

Please help us provide these Easter baskets for the women and children we serve:

All donations can be dropped off at our Portage location (350 Portage St. NW in North Canton) on Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Thank you in advance for making this an Easter to remember for those who need the resurrection power of Christ in their hearts and lives!

 

Easter Baskets for our Friends

 

Easter is right around the corner … and RAHAB is in need of gifts for our friends — some of whom have never received an Easter basket before.

We love getting to present them with thoughtful gifts, telling them about the true meaning of Easter, and sharing with them about the greatest gift of all: the good news of Jesus!

Please help us provide these Easter baskets for the women and children we serve:

All donations can be dropped off at our Portage location (350 Portage St. NW in North Canton) on Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Thank you in advance for making this an Easter to remember for those who need the resurrection power of Christ in their hearts and lives!

 

Save the Date: Essentials Training

 

RAHAB is excited to be hosting an Essentials Training!

Date: Saturday, May 14, 2022
Training: 9 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Optional worship time beforehand: 8-8:30 a.m.

If you want to be part of providing hope to survivors of sex trafficking in your community, this is the event to attend! We’ll offer some of the most thorough and informed training available today. More details and registration info to come. Be on the lookout!

Save the Date: Essentials Training

RAHAB is excited to be hosting an Essentials Training!

Date: Saturday, May 14, 2022
Training: 9 a.m.—12:30 p.m.
Optional worship time beforehand: 8-8:30 a.m.

If you want to be part of providing hope to survivors of sex trafficking in your community, this is the event to attend! We’ll offer some of the most thorough and informed training available today. More details and registration info to come. Be on the lookout!

In Kind Gifts

Throughout our 20-year history, so many friends have partnered with us to provide the women and children we serve with exactly what they need! We are so grateful that we have been blessed so abundantly BY YOU!

Gifts and in-kind donations of all sorts have helped us further our efforts on behalf of the vulnerable. Contributions large and small continue to make a huge difference. We are always incredibly overwhelmed by the generosity of our community.

But for increased efficiency at our programming facilities, we are adjusting how we take in donations … but that doesn’t mean we don’t still NEED YOU and your support!

Find out what types of in kind gifts are needed today — check out our Amazon Wish Lists and find out more about where and when to drop off items here. Thank you!

    In Kind Gifts

    Throughout our 20-year history, so many friends have partnered with us to provide the women and children we serve with exactly what they need! We are so grateful that we have been blessed so abundantly BY YOU!

     

    Gifts and in-kind donations of all sorts have helped us further our efforts on behalf of the vulnerable. Contributions large and small continue to make a huge difference. We are always incredibly overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. 

    But for increased efficiency at our programming facilities, we are adjusting how we take in donations … but that doesn’t mean we don’t still NEED YOU and your support!

    Find out what types of in kind gifts are needed today — check out our Amazon Wish Lists and find out more about where and when to drop off items here. Thank you!