FCI Newsletter

NEWSLETTER Winter edition December 2020 I cannot believe 2020 is quickly I tell you that each member of our team is personally committed coming to an end. This year has to praying for those enslaved by human trafficking and in need of been a roller coaster ride of emo- our help. tions, uncertainty, and fear, which would be an understatement. No When we received a call from our former resident Francine dur- one could have predicted the toll ing the height of the pandemic, we weren't shocked. Francine left that civil unrest, Covid-19, and our safe house more than eight months ago to return to her old racial tensions would have on our life. What she thought was a better opportunity turned out to be a nation. nightmare. Francine was left alone in a motel with no money and When the Covid-19 pandemic nowhere to turn. Reminiscent of the abandonment she faced at forced us to shut down, FCI had the age of two, Francine has bounced from one foster home to to cancel all scheduled fundraisers and outreaches. another and, ultimately, forced into prostitution at 17. For more While uncertainty loomed over us, we also had to make than five years, she silently endured human trafficking and could the difficult decision to furlough our drop-in center staff only dream about a life of freedom. Riddled by a life of abuse, and implement new protocols. With no clear answers or violence, and trauma, Francine envisioned no way of escape. end in sight, we made the only decision necessary for Thankfully, while living in the motel, Francine remembered the the moment, which was to \"forge ahead\" no matter what! unconditional love she had received from our staff and volun- With the help of committed staff, volunteers, and a dedi- teers at Rachel's House. Francine desperately wanted to experi- cated board of directors, we dug our heels in to meet the ence that refreshing love again. For the first time in her life, she growing needs of our community. knew it was time to make a real change! Now, more than four Psalm 37:3 tells us to \"Trust God and do good,\" and that's exactly what we did! While other organizations had months later, Francine has experienced a life to cut their services and close programs, we forged of freedom and healing like never before. She ahead, ensuring our partners and women released from has committed herself to heal by working with jail had the resources they needed. With our generous mentors, attending classes, and discovering donors' help, we provided more than 100 \"Freedom her purpose. Bags\" to our community partners and the LA County Jail for women. Francine's return to our program has been the We didn't stop there! As calls for emergency services brightest light during the darkest time. We re- came in, we provided housing and transportation to cently witnessed Francine’s transformation, more than 25 victims looking to escape. While the nation baptism and a new found relationship with remained sheltered-in place and resolved to safer at Christ. home orders, pimps and traffickers drove their victims to (Continued on last page ) the brink of exhaustion. These victims received no days off. Pimps and traffickers paid no attention to respecting social distancing practices. In fact, our 800-number calls increased by 40% from individuals and service providers needing emergency support and shelter. For example, our team collaborated with the Long Beach police de- partment to rescue a victim being held against her will by a trafficker. With our coordinated efforts, we rescued her and placed her in a non-disclosed location.

OUTREACH TOTAL REACHED: 250 AWARENESS EDUCATION TOTAL REACHED: 1,500

RACHEL’S HOUSE OF HEALING (RHH) RESIDENTS HOUSED: 4 YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM (YAP) TOTAL REACHED: 180 Fall fundraisers ONLINE AUCTION GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDS RAISED: $27,365 ROAD TO TOTAL 2020 IMPACT FREEDOM 2,284 TOTAL SERVED: 350

(Continued from front page) Thanks to you, more than 14 years later, FCI is still standing for hundreds of women like Victoria and Francine. As this year comes to an end and uncertainty continues to I believe 2021 has the potential to be our most incredible loom, one thing remains certain--we are in this for the long year ever! As our nation slowly recovers from the pandemic, haul! Our goal for 2021 cements our resolve toward \"doing we are preparing to continue the fight against human traffick- good and trusting God,\" especially for our recent graduate ing. Will you help us? Victoria. Friends like you solely support FCI. Despite the failing econ- Like so many others carrying the scars of victimization, Vic- omy and the devastating effects of COVID, you made it pos- toria lived a life filled with regret and shame. She left her sible for us to continue providing life-changing resources and husband and children to chase what she thought was a services. \"better life.\" For more than six years, Victoria found herself Please consider making a year-end tax-deductible gift. Your trapped in a life of sex-trafficking, homelessness, and addic- generous funds make it possible for us to continue rescuing, tion. When she came to Rachel's House of Healing, she was restoring, and providing hope to women like Francine and at the end of her rope. During her time of recovery, Victoria Victoria. Your year-end financial contribution will provide cried out to God to restore her family. Her husband told her support that helps us make much-needed repairs to our safe that he had no intention of reconciling with her. Nonetheless, house and achieve our goals for the new year. Victoria persisted in her recovery and healing. All the more, To give your year-end gift of any amount, please mail it back she prayed for the complete restoration of her family. As Vic- in the enclosed envelope, or you can visit us online at toria prepared to graduate from our program, her husband's www.forgottenchildreninc.org. heart had softened, and he agreed to allow her to see her On behalf of Forgotten Children, Inc. and Rachel's House of children. Little by little, her husband's heart turned from an- Healing, we want to wish you and your family a very Merry ger to forgiveness. On Victoria's last day with Rachel's Christmas and Happy New Year! House of Healing, her husband had agreed to bring her Serving by Grace, home and start the long process of forgiveness and reconcil- iation. While God was healing their relationship and family, Tera K. Hilliard Victoria found a good job and started going to church. We President/CEO continued to provide her with mentorship and therapy via “Together We Make the Difference.” Zoom and over the phone. Our staff has been there every step of the way to ensure Victoria and her family receives the support they need. \"Forgotten Children, Inc. gave me the strength and CONTACT US: empowerment to fight for what I lost. God has made my family whole again. My children are extremely ex- Forgotten Children, Inc. cited about their mom and dad receiving one another's dba-Rachel's House of Healing 4401 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 200 love. Our family is stronger now more than ever.\" Long Beach, CA 90807 ~Victoria, a former resident. (310) 871-6594 www.forgottenchildreninc.org Our mission is to rescue, restore, educate and bring hope to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Newsletter Design by: Mack Enterprises Unlimited

4401 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 200 Long Beach, CA 90807 Jane Doe 4401 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 200 Long Beach, CA 90807 6 x 9 envelope