Each one of the thousands of volunteers who have given their time to serve with us over the past fifteen years has a unique story. The motivation to get involved is different with every individual, but is sometimes a result of the person’s own powerful life story. This was the case for Alyssa M., who became a volunteer mentor for one of our Compassion Youth Mentoring groups because of her own close call with trafficking in college. She has used that scary experience, however, as inspiration to come alongside young people with love and education in the hopes that they can experience true freedom and all God has for their lives. The following is Alyssa’s story.
I am from the East Coast originally and moved to Seattle in 2018 for a master’s degree program, which I ended up not liking. So I moved to Portland to start a new program, Global Development and Justice at Multnomah University, which felt like the way to work with trafficking victims in a Christ-centered way. It has been a great experience and I am graduating this year! I found Compassion Connect because I have always tried to be active in the community where I live and work. Compassion Connect was mentioned in a class I had at Multnomah and when I did some research I wanted to be a part of the mission. I had mentored in the past with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the *Design Studio is such a great way to reach out to girls who need a role model.
A Close Call With Trafficking
When I was in college, I had my first introduction to human trafficking living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was almost trafficked by a coworker at a restaurant where I was serving. I didn’t know what it was until later and once I figured out what made me a target I had a new passion. I thank God every day that I had the sense to say no, and that I had a support network around me to make sure I did not go with this man. That really made me want to be more involved in anti-trafficking. I work really hard to debunk misinformation and to reinforce that it can happen to anyone.
Related: Overcoming What Holds You Back- How to Take Your Faith From Pew to Practice
I think there is a misconception that Jesus has forgotten victims of trafficking, because how else would He allow this to continue? But He hasn’t and when we get to walk alongside survivors of trafficking in holistic healing, we get to show survivors they were never forgotten. I love that Compassion Connect has found multiple ways to come together for the issue of trafficking. Specifically I like the Design Studio; I think empowerment is so important. Traffickers are looking for those who have low self-esteem. If we can show girls their value isn’t found in compliments from strangers or material things I am all for it!
Alyssa (far right) with several of her mentees at a Compassion Youth Mentoring group in SE Portland
I love the girls I work with. They each bring their own attitudes and ideas to the group, which makes it easy to come back every week. I have been able to see growth in the girls as time has gone on, and even when we have had small issues we have been able to repair the situation.
Related: Uniting to Prevent Exploitation Through Mentorship
Coming Together In Unity to Fight Trafficking
I think for true unity in the church to happen there has to be acknowledging of the hurt that the church has perpetuated over the years and accepting that it is time to change. The church doesn’t want to talk about the hard things and that is the problem. The church has to stand up and say injustice is happening. God tells us to watch over the widows, orphans and the poor, and it is time to take God’s word and put them into action.
My work with Compassion Connect makes me grateful that God placed the need to help others on my heart. I try to see those that others would rather forget, and I know I can’t help everyone but I can do my part.
*Our Design Studio model has recently rebranded to become Compassion Youth Mentoring! Although the name has changed, our goal of uniting and equipping volunteers from local churches to share God’s love, build self worth, and teach life skills to the brave and resilient youth facing challenges in life which are often exploited by sexual predators has not! To learn more, visit us here.
