A new program, "Courage Worldwide," has partnered up with University of Nevada, Reno and other organizations to tackle the dark world of sex trafficking, providing necessary resources to aid victims in the recovery process.
Founder and CEO, Jenny Williamson shared her excitement for a new treatment facility opening its doors to young people who experienced exploitation.
"Each kid gets a unique life plan, they get mental health services, we have an on-sight school," she said. "We just got property here in northern Nevada. We got the keys two weeks ago."
"Courage worldwide" is a program designed and committed to renewing the lives of youth impacted by sex trafficking.
Partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno and other organizations to create a safe haven, a new residential treatment center for those recovering from trafficking is the goal. They say this is the first of its kind in Northern Nevada.
The goal is to provide new meaning to life through improved mental health healing and resources needed for survivors to live joyfully again.
Lessia Judd survived years of sex abuse and was sold repeatedly by her own stepfather.
In an exclusive interview, she shared her moments of pain, reliving what felt like a world of darkness she'd never escape.
"It started here in Reno at the age of five, to the age of fourteen," she said. "I did not know i was human trafficked until 2017 when my older sister brought it to my attention, and at that time I was still doing some healing from my own childhood abuse. A man in a 3-piece suit, dark hair, navy blue pin stripe, came up to me, took my hand, and walked me to this empty house, I'll never forget the house, I'll never forget the smell, that he had the cologne on, he took my innocence away."
Williamson says, "when they walk in the door, you were created on purpose for a purpose. Your history and your past I can't change, but gosh we want to be part of your future, we want to give you all the tools that you need to be able to go do all that your heart desires."
Kym Renner, CEO of RennerVation Foundation, and her Oscar nominated brother Jermey Renner planted roots in Northern Nevada with the non-profit. Today Kym shared the organization's mission.
"Our goal is to spread awareness so that we can all have a real open lens and be able to see the signs of our young kiddos trafficking as young as five years old, all the way up to you know 20, 21, 22," she said. "These young people are victims, regardless of what they might say, how they might look or what they're behaviors are, something has happened to them, without their permission and it's really our responsibility to step in and love them and help repair the trauma."
A powerful message, that together as a community and country we can work hand in hand to combat trafficking through better awareness, keeping an open eye and knowing where to direct people when they need help.
According to The Department of Homeland Security, sex trafficking generates $150 billion annually in profit globally. Through "Courage Worldwide" and other non-profit organizations nationwide, together the mission to bring those numbers down starts with taking action and being the voice that makes a difference.
