Newsletter - May 2017

Jaida Im with Gala Volunteers
VOLUNTEERS SHINE AT GALA 
The Freedom House 8th Annual Gala showcased the many "Resilient Butterflies" at The Monarch shelter, as more than 90 volunteers worked behind the scenes to create a memorable evening. Freedom House Founder and Executive Director Jaida Im is pictured with some of the advocate, auction, raffle and registration volunteers at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Gala co-hosts Leslie Peay and Matt Anderson, who also serve throughout the year as Freedom House Advocate and Shelter Volunteers, shared with Gala attendees their commitment to building awareness about human-trafficking issues and directly aiding local survivors. The important Gala Committee Leads and their team members made a strong impact on the success of the event. 

Christian Cablay (A/V), Andria Brugioni (Sponsors), Noelle Chun (Survivor Video), Hannah Dittman (Auctions), Lisa Haut (Registration), Manon Hessels (Fund-A-Need), Miranda Hudson (Decorations), Katie Stewart (Graphic Design and Volunteers), and Karen Yu (Survivor Jewelry) deserve special recognition. We also would like to express our gratitude to Kathy Burkhour, BARK Printing & Promotions, Calinoi Printing, Pro-Bono Photo affiliate Rex Mananquil, and Joanne Spencer-Trefcer and Luis Taniguchi, Crowne Plaza Hotel Foster City. We sincerely appreciate our supporters and members of the Freedom House family for their generous contributions. 

Polaris CEO Bradley Myles Accepts Freedom House Award
POLARIS RECEIVES 2017 STEWARDSHIP AWARD 
Polaris CEO Bradley Myles, shown accepting the Freedom House 2017 Stewardship Award by video, assessed the state of the anti-human-trafficking movement from his national perspective during his Gala remarks. He commended Freedom House for its leadership in bringing long-term shelter and wraparound services to survivors in Northern California. Polaris acts as a catalyst to disrupt the human-trafficking networks that rob human beings of their lives and their freedom. By working with government leaders, leading technology corporations, and local partners, Polaris equips communities to identify, report, and prevent human trafficking. No agency has helped more desperate women quickly find shelter and services than Polaris. (To view the entire comments made by Bradley Myles, please click on his image.)

During the Gala, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Francisco was presented with the 2017 Guardian Award for its work with human-trafficking survivors. Since opening The Monarch shelter in 2010, Freedom House has housed women from 34 different countries, as it operates one of the few shelters in the country the helps both U.S.-born and international women under the same roof. Leading the way in rescuing these foreign-born survivors and protecting them from further exploitation are members of HSI. Joining Jaida Im on stage were Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Marc Zimmermann, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC), Ben Horton, Supervisory Special Agent, and Nicole Beeson, Victim Assistance Specialist.


SURVIVOR AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP 
The San Mateo Community College District recently awarded an Institutional Scholarship for the upcoming 2017-2018 term to one of our survivors at The Monarch. She submits an expression of gratitude to all Freedom House supporters:

"It is difficult to put into words how thankful I am, and how fortunate I feel to have been given such a special opportunity to fulfill my dreams and accomplish my goals in spite of everything.  My time at Freedom House has been an amazing healing experience - to be surrounded by such selfless and caring people like all the volunteers and staff at Freedom House has helped me grow immensely. It is impossible to believe that my dreams are finally coming true. Thanks to all your generous support and loving kindness, I am becoming a person I am really proud to be. I hope to continue to grow, so that one day I can help others pursue their dreams, just as you have helped me. It warms my heart to know that such special and loving people exist in this world, and I will continue to spread your kindness and generosity.  I leave you with a message that I have learned to live from Freedom House: "I love who I am and who I am becoming." May every human being be treated with care, love and respect."

Collin Youn Lee
PRO BONO VOLUNTEER  
Collin Youn Lee - Kobuksan Construction
It's Mother's Day weekend. There's a plumbing problem. To borrow a line from a popular movie, "Who ya gonna call?" In Freedom House's case, it is Collin Youn Lee of Kobuksan Construction, who graciously agreed to give up much of his Saturday night to come to The Monarch to help. Collin quickly diagnosed the problem and purchased the needed unit. The repair was expertly made. It was by no means the first time Collin has come to the rescue at The Monarch, but he has never presented Freedom House with a bill. Collin feels God has given him his talents to benefit others, especially our human-trafficking survivors. When asked if Freedom House could profile him in this newsletter, Collin emailed back: "It is an honor to be mentioned, but more so, it is an honor to serve alongside you guys. I'm just the weekend warrior compared to what you all do on a daily basis. God bless!" Besides owning Kobuksan Construction, Collin and his wife Mina operate two popular San Francisco cafes: BeanStalk Nob Hill (724 Bush St.) and BeanStalk Inner Richmond (4555 California St.). BeanStalk has glowing reviews, just like Collin.

Melisa Steele
SHELTER VOLUNTEER      
Melisa Steele
A single mother of two with a degree in graphics and animation, Melisa Steele currently works as an in-home service provider. With a heart to help others, she developed a passion for the anti-human- trafficking movement, but the journey that led her to Freedom House and The Monarch was a few years in the making. She attended workshops, watched documentaries, read books, and was in the process of going on an international mission trip to aid women in the sex trade when she relocated from the Midwest to the Bay Area. Melisa prayed to the Lord for a specific mission. It was then that she heard a radio interview about another program, Molly's House, in Southern California. She contacted them, was referred to Freedom House, and took the volunteer training.  While Melisa has been a Shelter Volunteer for only a short time, she enjoys it more than she ever thought she would. She regularly comes to the family dinners, facilitates Bible study, and takes survivors on outings. She also participates in advocacy events. Melisa calls the experience a tremendous blessing, as she watches the inspiring women at The Monarch go through their metamorphoses into beautiful Resilient Butterflies who will make their own powerful impact on the world.
About Freedom House:
Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Freedom House is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization (Tax ID #27-0248325), with a mission to bring hope, restoration and a new life to survivors of human trafficking by providing housing and direct services. In August 2010, Freedom House launched The Monarch, the first safe home and long-term aftercare program of its kind in Northern California for adult female survivors of human trafficking. Through its pioneering aftercare model, Freedom House is breaking the cycle of exploitation and creating new futures for human-trafficking survivors. For information about Freedom House, visit www.FreedomHouseSF.org.