Join us in supporting GenerateHope, an organization that provides a long-term, comprehensive housing, recovery, and transition programs for young women ages 18 and above who have survived the complex traumas of sex trafficking so that they are able to reintegrate into society and walk powerfully into their future.
Did you know that 20.9 Million people are bought and sold worldwide? Unfortunately, this $150 billion dollar illicit industry is thriving, and San Diego, CA is in the top 8 high intensity areas for commercial sexual exploitation of children in our nation.
Sex trafficking is defined as force, fraud, or coercion into a commercial sex act. Shockingly, the average age of recruitment into "the life" is 16 years old, commonly via "boyfriending" or false promises for fame and money in modeling. An older guy, most often a gang member, grooms the vulnerable teen via social media and texting, and after gifts, parties, and building a false trust, he takes her emotional loyalty and begins the cycle of sex acts, drugs, threats, and more trauma. This shames her into submission, eventually his full manipulative control. The digital age makes his access almost invisible, even to an aware family.. Once she is lost in the cycle of dependency and despair, she may even be sold to other gangs, and she is often forced to have sex 10 - 12 times per day to make her quota, or else.
Our goal is to raise $100k to support the completion of GenerateHope's second facility in Coronado, CA for young women who've survived the complex traumas of sex trafficking so that they are able to reintegrate into society.
*Here's One Story From a Survivor*
When I found myself homeless, I was thankful I had friends to help me out. One of them owned his own company, and I agreed to work for him in exchange for a place to live. I worked for the company for about one week, until he informed that I was not going to be working in the office anymore. I was going to be one of his girls. I was really confused by this and didn’t understand. It was then I learned he was a well-known pimp in the San Diego area.
He sat me down with another one of his women, and told me what I had to do in order to "pay my way". I was going to be a prostitute and that was all that there was to it, no questions asked. I was forced to go out and sell my body, which in many ways felt like I was selling my own soul. I had to work in National City, as well as in the North Park area of San Diego, as well as in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I did this for almost two years.
I was arrested for the last time while I was working on El Cajon Boulevard in 2010. My saving grace was the detective who told me I was worth more than what I was doing.
Through this detective, I was able to enter GenerateHope's Recovery Home. GenerateHope literally saved my life. I really don't believe that I would be here without entering into the program. It was a place that I was able to feel safe enough to be myself and for me to come to know God again. I was also able to overcome my drug addiction, and I have been clean for 30 months now.
I feel like I am one of the lucky ones who was able to survive that life. Every one at GenerateHope is there for one reason and one reason only: for us girls, who have been trafficked, to change our lives for the better. I wish that there were more programs like this, and I am so grateful for everything that was offered to me through GenerateHope.
It is because of the program that I am now going to school to be a social worker. I want to work in the prison system so that I am able to help save other people through my own life experiences. I have since graduated from the GenerateHope program, however I am still a part of the community there. I know that I will be a part of the family there forever.
Donor Receipt Information: GenerateHope
EIN #: 26-3405689
Official Address: 4025 Camino del Rio South, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92108
