A Candid Moment with Sophora: Why Growth & Why Now?
A Candid Moment with Sophora: Why Growth & Why Now?
I get this question a lot from people, why are you growing so much now, in the middle of all that is happening around the world. Isn’t it time to batten down the hatches (as they say), hold tight, and protect your current programs? Well, yes, AND why can’t we do both?
You may have already seen that Ruby’s Place is growing again. We have made a decision to expand our services to fit better the needs of a population we have been working with for a while now: trafficked youth.
Trafficked youth need the community’s help more than ever. Did you know that since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic that human trafficking has increased?! I know, heartbreaking, right?
With that increase, the request for youth-focused services also rose significantly, and we at Ruby’s Place are responding in several different ways. We have been working hard behind the scenes hiring and training new staff (and learning a lot from them!) and are now ready to offer specialized youth services that include case management, therapy, career counseling, legal assistance, and more!
As exciting as these services are, they are only part of the solution. We needed a residential facility - a safe space for children and youth who have experienced the trauma that is trafficking.
Did you know that Alameda County has less than 20 beds for trafficked youth? Yes, you read that right, less than 20 beds. To us, as I am sure it is to you, this was unacceptable. With the help of the community, input from survivors, and the generous help and expertise of our friends at Joy Street Initiative, we are opening a youth facility at our Betty’s Village Property. This program will start serving girls ages 18-20 who have been sex trafficked and will eventually be licensed to serve girls 13-17 who have experienced the same. This residential program will double the number of beds available to youth in Alameda County! While the residential program is currently only open to girls, the boys, trans, and non-binary kids are also welcome in the program. So are youth who are labor trafficked. Right now, 50% of our clients are boys or young men (which reflects the likely actual ratio of trafficked boys and girls in the world).
But wait, what is happening to Betty’s Village, you ask?
Well, we have some MORE exciting news for you. Our flagship program, Betty’s Village, is moving! It’s not going far, just next door to our larger property, undergoing significant improvements. Wheeeeee, that was my happy squeal for what has been a long time coming. However, you will have to wait for the juicy deets on that project which will be announced soon. I know; could I be any more vague?
So to come full circle from where I started, why growth, why now? It’s because our mission calls for it, the community calls for it, but most of all, our kids need it. On the back of a pandemic came more devastation with the increased trafficking of children. It would be irresponsible for us when we have the resources, vision, and motivation NOT to grow. If not now, then when?
With love & leadership,
Sophora Acheso
