STAT BOX
Grew up in Charlotte, NC and Boston, MA
Last vacationed in Aruba
Mother of one, grandmother of two
As the Coordinator of Survivor Mentor Services, she pairs Survivor Mentors with exploited girls to help support their exit from the sex trade industry
She encourages everyone to go to the MLMC website to check out their fantastic work!
Tell us what the world would be like without MLMC
Without MLMC, so many girls would be trapped in the violent world of exploitation without anyone to talk to. Clinicians would continue to mis-diagnose girls and continue to label them as “promiscuous” or “bad” girls who just want to be prostitutes.
Q: What has surprised you most since starting your work with MLMC?
That so many people are in denial about CSEC (commercial sexual exploitation of children) happening in their communities.
Q: What previous job or training best prepared you to work here?
Before working at MLMC I was a manager at Elizabeth Stone House, a domestic violence agency; a program manager for Peace at Home; and a substance abuse counselor. All of these positions help inform the work I do with girls today, as well as my life experience. I also attended a retreat called “Wonder Woman Weekend” facilitated by renowned author and life-coach Iyanla VanZandt, it was an amazing experience and I learned a lot about self care and how my family relationships as a child shape my relationships, and gave me another perspective when supporting others.
Q: What has been the hardest part about your job?
The hardest part of my job is not being able to access residential care for girls that have been exploited, so they are placed in programs that are not educated on CSEC. Then their issues are not addressed and they fall through the cracks. The one thing that would make my job easier is securing funding for more mentors, funding to train on CSEC and of course funding for survivor-led residential services.
Q: This all sounds incredibly difficult! Any wisdom that you’ve gathered in order to be able to do your job?
Just to do my best everyday, even when it doesn’t look like it’s working…
Q: If you could describe your job in one sentence, what would it be?
Although it is sometimes challenging, it is the most fulfilling job I have had.
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