A middle-school girl re-enrolls after more than two years of exploitation. An incarcerated woman sees a new vision for her future post-release. A trafficking survivor requests a Bible, signaling progress on her journey of restoration and spiritual healing.
These are not isolated moments; they are the heartbeat of our Anti-Trafficking Mobile Teams—transformations happening at the intersection of compassion and hope.
North Carolina: Growing Hope, Rebuilding Lives
In North Carolina, the fight against trafficking starts with resilience and relationships. Over the past six months, One More Child’s local team—now three members strong—has served 20 clients while partnering with the Wake and Durham County Departments of Social Services. The team has also established a dedicated office space and provides critical services to Magnolia Hope, the state’s only safe home for trafficked minors.
Rachel’s Journey of Restoration
Rachel* is one such survivor. When the team first met her, she was disengaged from school and resistant to support—two hallmarks of trauma. But after 18 months of persistent, trauma-informed care, Rachel began to thrive. She re-enrolled in middle school, attending classes and participating in extracurricular activities.
“Reengaging in education can be a pivotal piece to trauma healing and creating rhythms for a healthy life. We believe this will be pivotal for Rachel,” explained Parker Barnes, North Carolina Team Supervisor for One More Child’s Anti-Trafficking program.
Surrounding her with the critical support she needed, One More Child staff and advocates provided parent education, clothing resources, transportation assistance, and trauma-informed clinical services.
*Name and photo have been changed for privacy.
Ohio: Breaking Cycles of Addiction
Trafficking and addiction often go hand in hand. To address this, One More Child launched the Addiction Pod Outreach Program at the Hamilton County Justice Center in July 2024. The voluntary program helps incarcerated women identify how traffickers use addiction as a tool of control while also equipping them for a fresh start after release.
Inside the pods, women learn to recognize signs of trafficking, access services, and build skills to prevent recidivism. Workshops cover everything from employment readiness to life skills, offering participants tangible steps toward independence. By November, 14 women had completed the program, and in December, they created vision boards to visualize their goals for 2025.
“Ohio’s Human Trafficking law directly addresses the issue of drug dependency manipulation from traffickers,” said Danielle Davis, One More Child’s Director of Anti-Trafficking Mobile Response Teams in Ohio. She went on to say, “It is important to let those struggling with addiction know that they are at a higher risk of being exploited. However, it is paramount to inform them that there is hope and they have support.”
Florida: Spiritual Healing and Restoration
Restoration often begins with a quiet but profound act of faith. This past December, two survivors independently asked for Bibles for Christmas—a request that reflected not just growing trust in the team but a deeper spiritual awakening.
Angel Valadez, Anti-Trafficking Mobile Teams Supervisor, explained, “This request is a true testament to the trust and connection our team has built with these individuals. Moments like this remind us why we do what we do.”
Advocacy at Every Level
One More Child’s advocacy extends beyond our direct work with survivors, targeting systemic vulnerabilities through state and federal legislation:
Florida State Legislation
- SB1590: Strengthening penalties for first-time buyers of illegal sexual services.
- SB1196: Implementing safety protocols for vulnerable communities.
- SB796: Mandating anti-trafficking training for the lodging industry.
Federal Initiatives
- STOP CSAM Act: Increasing support for victims and increasing accountability and transparency for online platforms.
- EARN IT Act: Removing legal shields for potential abusers.
- Project Safe Childhood Act: Modernizing tools for investigating digital exploitation.
These legislative efforts complement our on-the-ground work and create a comprehensive approach to combating the exploitation of the most vulnerable among us.
Looking Forward
The path to end human trafficking may not be paved with simple solutions, but our message to victims and survivors is clear: we see you, and we are here to help. And every life restored, every moment of hope, moves us forward.
As the One More Child leadership and supporters prepare for annual Traffick Stop meetings with lawmakers, the organization remains committed to fighting trafficking at every level, from local communities and legislatures to national policy. Guided by God’s grace and Galatians 6:9—“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (KJV)—One More Child will continue its unwavering work, reaching one more vulnerable child and family at a time.