By Peter Roos & Andrea Martone
SELAH FREEDOM: Treasure Island & Madeira Beach Chamber’s Non-Profit of the Year, Fights Sex Trafficking
“Sex trafficking is pandemic in America, and Florida is the #3 location.” – Kassy Brewer
Selah Freedom is a faith-based organization out of Sarasota and the Midwest with a national reach, dedicated to ending sex trafficking and bringing freedom to survivors through five key programs: Awareness, Prevention, Outreach, Residential and Consulting. Based in Florida and the Midwest, Selah Freedom focuses on educating individuals, preventing trafficking, providing outreach services and offering holistic restoration to survivors. Selah Freedom actively confronts sex trafficking by partnering with law enforcement, legislators, and influential leaders to bring about change and support survivors in their journey towards freedom.
Kassy Brewer, Selah Freedom’s Awareness Advocacy Coordinator for Tampa Bay, accepted the non-profit of the year award from Barry Rubin at the Chamber’s March 1 luncheon at the Bilmar. The rest of the chamber’s awards went to dedicated long-time members and T.I.’s fire chief for his work reducing the city’s homeless problem by finding them long term shelter and hope. This non-profit of the year award caught my attention because of the unusual name of the group and its goals. Brewer’s role is pivotal in bringing Awareness and Advocacy to Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties.
Brewer says, “The average lifespan of someone being trafficked is seven years, and the average age of trafficking is 12-14 years old. Awareness is key to help eradicate sex trafficking.” Brewer emphasizes that all Selah Freedom staff and volunteers are passionate about their work. “It’s a calling, not a job, a mission of the heart.” She encourages schools, churches, civic leaders, Chambers of Commerce, Rotaries, and other service organizations to invite Selah Freedom to present to their members because our children today should never be exploited and sold into sex trafficking and should never have to be in rehabilitation/residential facilities when they become “survivors.”
Selah Freedom’s Five Pillar Programs:
1) AWARENESS Providing adult-focused training about the sex trafficking pandemic, what to watch out for. Run events, manage volunteers, connect with donors and community partners.
2) PREVENTION Age-appropriate educational training for youth and adults to avoid common tactics used by traffickers. A 6-month mentorship program for at-risk girls, ages 12-17, equips them with the tools to avoid sex trafficking, make healthy life choices, develop positive relationships, and encourage their growth.
3) OUTREACH Selah Freedom provides outreach on the streets and in the jails through its sex trade support group, case management and resources for survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. Selah Freedom partners with local law enforcement as the first point of contact for individuals identified as trafficking victims or at high risk of being recruited into trafficking. It also partners with the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office, multiple Human Trafficking Task Forces and more, to reach survivors and bring them life-saving solutions.
4) RESIDENTIAL A holistic approach to restoration. Survivors, who have had everything stolen from them, get the stability and rest they need. While in the program, survivors are equipped with the wrap around services and resources they need to be free. They can receive their GED, reconnect with their children and family, get a driver’s license, and even learn to swim. 87% of survivor graduates of Selah Freedom’s Residential Program do not return to “the life.”
5) CONSULTING Selah Consulting equips organizations working with survivors with tools, training, and curriculum. They customize a training plan tailored to their needs: in residential programming, trauma care, staff training, and curriculum. Mentored over 60 organizations in 11 states and three countries to help them provide safe and sustainable programs in their communities.
Thanks to Jenna Byrne, founder of Water Warrior Alliance (www.waterwarrioralliance.com) who awarded Selah Freedom a $4,500 scholarship for a survivor to participate in a one-week program for Scuba and water conservation training. For more information about Selah Freedom, write Kassy at Kassy@Selah Freedom.com or visit www.SelahFreedom.com. Selah’s hotline # is: 1-888-8-FREEME.