My story is not one of conventional beginnings. I grew up in the foster care system and my life was anything but stable and consistent. I was adopted at 10 years old, and it came with challenges. The road to college seemed daunting and overwhelming, particularly for someone whi struggled with undiagnosed ADHD and adjustment disorder. At 18, I moved out of my parent’s house and opting for a slow start, I went to a local community college. As a young, single, naive teen, I was lured by false promises of money and success, I found myself trapped in the underground world of human trafficking. Every day was a test of my limits and fortitude. It wasn't until I escaped at the age of 24, having escaped death more than once, that I was determined to not have a statistical ending. I was now in the middle of a community of people I did not know, away from home, and having to start all over with no money, no car, and not much help from the justice system. Enrolling in college again was not just an academic pursuit; It helped me heal, and it was a journey of self discovery. I moved to a new place, and got a job working security. Inspired by an EMT rushing to the aid of a stranger, I thought to myself “For years I had to make fast judgment calls to save my own life, certainly I could do it to save someone else's.” I enrolled in my first class at the Junior College: Emergency Medical Responder. I then went on to complete the EMT program and began working as an EMT in the height of the pandemic, and then working as a mental health crisis worker along with local law enforcement, using my life experience to help others in a time of need. I wanted to do more and began the pursuit of a criminal justice degree at 28 years old. I took one class at a time, while going through intensive therapy, and rediscovering myself. Now, at 33, I have recieved two associates degrees in criminal justice and behavioral science, and this fall I will have a social justice degree. I am planning on transferring to state college in January. I now work in child abuse prevention and human trafficking prevention, where I am training first responders on how to see signs of abuse and neglect in homes and how to offer children, women, and their families support. It has been 9 years since I escaped that life, and if you told me then that I would be standing here today I would have never believed you. It can seem daunting when we think of all the things we want to accomplish, in a current world that has become very expensive, demanding, divisive, and emotionally exhausting. It certainly does not happen overnight or without the support of our peers and our community. It is one day at a time and the next thing you know, you are at the finish line. I do not know where I will continue to go in my career but as long as I am helping others I will be fulfilled. This is not the end for me. Knowledge is power and careers are a lifelong learning process. I will never stop learning.

I have experienced the challenges of mental health not only in my own life but in the course of serving my community. I was a part of the foster care system until I was adopted at age 10. My childhood traumas and abuse weighed on me heavily at a young age, and I navigated my teenage years with resentment, undiagnosed ADHD and adjustment disorder. As an adult, I was lured into the trap of human trafficking because of my vulnerabilities. Upon my escape at 24 years old, you could add PTSD to all of it. It took a long time, and baby steps, one day at a time, to come to terms with all I had experienced, and learn to live with my neurodivergency. My experience in the mental health care system however, led me to realize that we need a major shift in change to these systems. These experiences gave me passion to pursue a degrees in administrative justice and social behavioral sciences. I have also worked as a mental health crisis worker and EMT, responding to mental health calls as an alternative to police response, and saw firsthand the breakdown in marginalized groups and those most vulnerable, from lack of accesible mental health care and housing. I understand firsthand the importance of appropriate mental health resources and trauma informed care. I have used my academic knowledge, with my professional and lived experience, to raise awareness about the need for comprehensive mental health care and to emphasize the distinction between criminal behavior and acts of survival. I often do trainings for law enforcement and first responders, to give them new perspectives, to ensure that survivors receive instead of being criminalized. I educate my community on how mental health issues can lead individuals into a cycle of poverty and crime, resulting in repeated involvement in the system. I also prioritize self-care and encourage others to do the same, especially when I revisit my past and share my personal story at events, conferences, and educational settings to bring change and raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by survivors of child abuse and human trafficking. I believe that sharing our lived experiences help bring down stereotypes, show our community that we do recover, and bring meaningful progress in our policies. I have decided that this trauma will stop with me. I’m not sure where my story and my journey will take me. My biggest goal when giving back to my community. No matter what happens, the biggest victory has been my success and the fact that I did not let this ruin my life, and I am doing positive, good things, and helping others. I am living my life to set an example of what survivors can do when given the tools and empowerment to succeed.

I was born to parents who abused drugs and alcohol. My mother took me to Washington State when I was a toddler, leaving my father behind and he went to prison on a 30-year sentence. She continued to have more children while using drugs and alcohol, leaving me and my siblings to fend for ourselves. I was taken a few times by CPS and at age eight I was permanently removed and placed into adoption. I grew up in the suburbs of Sacramento. My mother was a teacher and my father was an environmental scientist. I had one of the best educations in the State of California. But I had trauma and resentment. At 18 years old on my birthday I left the house and didn’t move back. I had incredibly low self-esteem, was starved for affection, and did not know about how relationships worked. At 19 years old, I was a naive college girl during a recession when I was lured by false promises into human trafficking. I was assaulted, threatened, and forced to do manual labor in the black market marijuana industry. I escaped after five and a half years. I got a job, went back to school, and graduated from the EMT program three years later. I worked as a first responder on a mobile crisis unit and started going to school for criminal justice and social justice. I am also on the board of directors as the public relations manager for “Redemption House of the Bay Area” a non-profit that helps victims on the street and helps survivors to assimilate back into society. I also developed my curriculum to train law enforcement on a trauma-informed approach to investigating trafficking. It is a five-hour class that law enforcement can take voluntarily. They also often consult me if they run across a case they might think is trafficking. Those in our community often have a very skewed and narrow-minded view of what human trafficking is, or only focus on sex trafficking, when labor trafficking is much larger. They also are misguided by social media and sensationalized stories, and this leads to further harm. I could not have done this on my own. It took a village of people willing to help me, along with my wanting to help myself. It has been nine years and my trafficker never was arrested. No matter what happens, the biggest victory has been my success and the fact that I did not let this ruin my life, and I am doing positive, good things, helping others, and giving back through education. I have not wanted to go into debt, and I have been working full-time while taking a few classes at a time. It has taken five years to get my associate's degree this month. I want to start a family, but I want to get my four-year degree first. I also want the credentials to further develop my curriculum and instruction materials so I can implement them in schools and institutions, not just in law enforcement. Community education on all levels is so important and that's why my work is so important I want to continue educating the community to the best of my ability and with respectable qualifications, and the legal knowledge to back it. On top of that, I want to do more to help victims and survivors navigate the system. Receiving this scholarship would not only provide me with the opportunity to accelerate my education and career advancement, and start a family, but it would also empower me to continue my mission of educating communities about human trafficking and supporting survivors in their journey toward healing and empowerment. Thank you for considering my application."

I am a former foster youth, a survivor of childhood sexual assault and an adult survivor of human trafficking. I grew up being abused and neglected, along with my siblings, and I was pulled from my parents when I was 8 and placed into adoption. I was separated from my siblings and moved two states away. When I was 19, I graduated with honors from High School and was set to go to college during the 2008/2009 recession, when I was lured into human trafficking through grooming. I was held captive by force and coercion for over five years, before escaping in July of 2015. I got my first job with the help of my community teaching me job skills and how to dress appropriately. I hid my story away for a long time. In 2018 I started going back to school and became an Emergency Medical Technician with the hopes of serving the public. Then I started talking about my story and decided to press charges against my trafficker. No arrest was ever made. So I made it my mission to stop this from happening to others. Now, I am employed as a nationally licensed EMT who volunteers for a nonprofit (Redemption House of the Bay Area) pulling victims off the street and into safety. From there we work to get them into treatment, legal help for restraining orders, housing and teach life skills like how to attend a job interview and put together a resume. I have worked as a fugitive recovery agent, doing warrant service, and have worked as a crisis responder, responding alongside law enforcement to mental health crises. Prevention of victimization is key, so in 2019, I began my journey of getting my degree in Criminal Justice and also developed a curriculum to train law enforcement on a trauma-informed approach to investigating trafficking. It is a five-hour class that law enforcement can take voluntarily. They also often consult me if they run across a case they might think is trafficking. This May I will be receiving three associate degrees, one in criminal justice, one in social justice, and one in behavioral sciences, and plan on transferring two of them to four-year state universities. I am looking into careers in juvenile probation, or child welfare services. Those in our community often have a very skewed and narrow-minded view of what human trafficking is, or only focus on sex trafficking, when labor trafficking is much larger. They also are misguided by social media and sensationalized stories, and this leads to further harm. Community education on all levels is so important and that's why my work is so important I want to continue educating the community, but also being part of the force of change, to the best of my ability and with respectable qualifications, and the legal knowledge to back it. I want to do more to help victims and survivors navigate the system and lead productive lives. This scholarship would help my educational process take a faster route, and get me to where I want to be faster, helping the community and victims of crime.

I am a former foster youth, a survivor of childhood sexual assault, and an adult survivor of human trafficking. My father went to prison when I was in kindergarten, and I grew up being abused and neglected, along with my many siblings, and I was pulled from my mother when I was 8 and placed into adoption. I was separated from all my siblings and moved two states away. When I was 19, I graduated with honors from High School and was set to go to college during the 2008/2009 recession, when I was lured into human trafficking through grooming. I was held captive for over five years being forced to perform non-paid labor and exploited, before escaping in July of 2015. I got my first job with the help of my community teaching me job skills and how to dress appropriately. I hid my story away for a long time. In 2018 I started going back to school and became an Emergency Medical Technician with the hopes of serving the public. Then I started talking about my story and decided to press charges against my trafficker. No arrest was ever made. So I made it my mission to stop this from happening to others. Now, I am a nationally licensed EMT who volunteers for a nonprofit (Redemption House of the Bay Area) pulling victims off the street and into safety. From there we work to get them into treatment, legal help for restraining orders, housing and teach life skills like how to attend a job interview and put together a resume. But prevention is key, so I also developed my curriculum to train law enforcement on a trauma-informed approach to investigating trafficking. It is a five-hour class that law enforcement can take voluntarily. They also often consult me if they run across a case they might think is trafficking. I am employed now as a community education coordinator who educates mandated reporters about disparities in the child welfare system due to implicit biases. I am currently majoring in criminal justice, but can only take a few classes each semester due to financial restraints and having to work full-time. If I had a degree I wouldn't have to volunteer, I could make fighting human trafficking my full-time job. Having this scholarship would help me advance greatly, take more units at once, and further develop my curriculum and instruction materials so I can implement them in schools and institutions, not just in law enforcement. Those in our community often have a very skewed and narrow-minded view of what human trafficking is, or only focus on sex trafficking, when labor trafficking is much larger. They also are misguided by social media and sensationalized stories, and this leads to further harm. Community education on all levels is so important and that's why my work is so important I want to continue educating the community to the best of my ability and with proper qualifications, and the legal knowledge to back it. On top of that, I want to do more to help victims and survivors navigate the system and lead productive lives. This scholarship would allow both of those to happen. Life is a domino effect and the smallest things can change everything.

In 1968, My grandparents love story began. Tam, 15, and Larry, 17, awaited the birth of Robyn. However, Tam’s parents forced her to surrender Robyn for adoption against their wishes. In March 1969 she was born and surrendered. As Tam and Larry married and weathered the storms of life, the wound never healed. Even after their divorce, they tirelessly searched for her until the futility of their efforts led them to reluctantly accept her presumed better life. Kay struggled in marriage, wasn’t bonding with her baby boy TJ, and adopted Robyn, renaming her Shay, to fulfill her longing for a daughter. However, her struggles with motherhood, addiction, and marriage were not fixed. TJ & Shay were raised in a challenging environment. While TJ stayed out of trouble and did well in school, Shay ran away with an older guy named CJ. In 1990, when she was 21 years old, they had me. When I was a toddler they divorced. CJ ended up going to prison for 30 years in 1997. Shay, now a mother of three, faced personal challenges. We navigated a fractured foster care system, after being removed for physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, each finding ourselves in different homes. One of my sisters went to live with an extremist Jehovah’s Witness family. Another one went to go live with a firefighter family in the community. I went to live with TJ my “uncle”. The cycle continued with Shay having more children, each experiencing a unique set of circumstances based on her tumultuous relationships. She had eight children in total and kept two. Amidst this intergenerational trauma, often hearing about how I acted just like my mother, and thinking that I would not be a suitable parent, I emerged. Growing up in a distorted family dynamic, I struggled with identity and a sense of belonging. I hadn’t seen any of my siblings since I was in middle school, some I had not met. Leaving home at 18, I fell prey to human trafficking, for five years before breaking free in 2015. My long healing journey began. I’ve been able to confront my trauma, I’ve been able to repair the bonds with family, I have a supportive partner, a healthy relationship, and I look forward to having children. I have decided that this trauma will stop with me. Part of confronting my past was understanding why my mom was the way she was. If she wasn’t raised in a nurturing environment, she also didn’t learn how to nurture. She didn’t know any better. In 2016, I connected with Tam and Larry. Kay’s decision resulted in over 50 years of trauma, to multiple people. Both were heartbroken to know that Robyn did not have the wonderful life they thought she would. We don’t know that they would not have been good parents, because they were never given that chance. Instead, a 15-year-old was coerced and pressured into giving her child to the adoption industry to fix a marriage. When people assume that because I was adopted, I would want to do the same thing, I want them to understand why I don't. While acknowledging that in some cases, adoption may be necessary, those extreme cases are far less prevalent than people believe. I challenge the idea that it universally equates to a better life. The consequences of adoption extend far beyond the immediate circumstances, affecting individuals and families for decades. My commitment to breaking the cycle stands as a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the power of understanding my history to forge a different path forward.

In 1968, Tam and Larry, teenagers, awaited the birth of their daughter, Robyn. However, Tam's parents, driven by their own convictions, forced her to surrender Robyn for adoption. In March 1969, Robyn was born and immediately surrended. Tam and Larry, stayed together, eventually getting married. Even after their divorce, they searched for Robyn and gave up around 2010. Meanwhile, Kay found herself grappling with the challenges of marriage and a longing for a daughter. Struggling in her marriage and feeling disconnected from her infant son, Kay decided to adopt Robyn, renaming her Shay, to bridge an emotional gap. However, adopting Shay did not magically fix Kay's life. Her struggles with motherhood, addiction, and deteriorating marriage persisted. Shay, in her late teens, she ran away with an older man CJ, and by age 21, Shay became a mother to me, Megan. The two divorced when I was just a toddler. Shay, moved us to California. CJ was incarcerated in the mid-'90s. By 1999, Shay was battling alcoholism, addiction, and an abusive marriage. My sisters and I were now in foster care, each in different homes after being removed for abuse and neglect. I ended up living with TJ, my "uncle." Growing up in this distorted family dynamic, I struggled with issues of identity and belonging. I harbored resentment towards those around me. I moved out on my 18th birthday and graduated high school alone. At age 19, during the 2010 recession, my vulnerability led me to fall victim to human trafficking, enduring five years of captivity, forced labor, and exploitation. I escaped in 2015, and hid my story away in shame. I struggled with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and alcohol. In 2018, I returned to school, becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. In 2019 I stopped drinking and I tried to pressed charges against my trafficker. No arrest was made. Since then, preventing others from suffering the same is a driving force in my life. Part of confronting my past was understanding why my mom was the way she was. If she wasn’t raised in a nurturing environment, she also didn’t learn how to nurture. She often rejected her children once they reached the toddler stage. She didn’t know any better. Tam's parents and Kay’s decision resulted in over 50 years of trauma, to multiple people. In 2016, I found Tam and Larry. Both were heartbroken to know that their daughter did not have the wonderful life that they thought she would. We don’t know that they would not have been good parents. They were never given that chance, because a 15-year-old was coerced and pressured into giving her child to the adoption industry. I love my Nana Kay, but at the end of the day, no one needs a child, no one is entitled to a child, and they’re certainly not entitled to someone else’s child. While acknowledging that in some cases, adoption may be necessary, those extreme cases are far less prevalent than people believe. I challenge the assumption that it universally equates to a better life but instead, can harm many. Now, after working as a first responder, I work as a community educator to educate the public about child abuse and disparities in the child welfare system. I also volunteer for a nonprofit to serve victims of human trafficking and conduct trainings for law enforcement on trauma informed approaches to investigations. I’ve confronted my deamons, repaired the bonds with my adoptive family, I have a supportive partner in a healthy relationship, and I look forward to having children. The trauma cycle ends with me.

My personal experiences as a survivor of human trafficking and a former foster youth serve as the driving force behind my commitment to my community. These experiences have instilled in me a profound sense of empathy and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others who have faced similar challenges. I am inspired by the belief that no one should feel alone or unsupported, especially when dealing with mental health issues and trauma. To influence change in my community, I work as a first responder and crisis worker on a mobile crisis unit, and also do several project outside of work. I have organized and actively participated in workshops, awareness campaigns, and helped develop educational curriculum within my community. I share my story and experiences through speaking engagements at various events, conferences, and educational institutions. These speaking engagements also serve as opportunities to educate the wider community about the realities of human trafficking and the mental health struggles faced by survivors. I volunteer my time to train police officers and social workers and well as students around mental health. These trainings I do for free aim to educate people about mental health issues, trauma, and the available resources. By fostering understanding and empathy, I work to break down the stigma associated with mental health, making it easier for individuals to seek help. I offer peer support to fellow survivors. I have become a mentor, guiding young people who have faced similar traumas, helping them navigate challenges and providing them with the necessary tools to rebuild their lives. By being a living example of what survivors can do when given the tools to succeed. Leveraging my education around the justice system and in social behavioral sciences, I actively engage with community leaders and advocate for policies that support mental health services, especially for marginalized communities and survivors. I work to ensure that the voices of those who have experienced trauma are heard in legislative discussions, aiming for policies that are compassionate, comprehensive, and accessible. I collaborate with nonprofits and organizations that focus on mental health, human trafficking survivors, and foster youth. By actively participating in their programs and initiatives, I contribute my unique perspective to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their services. Together, we work towards creating a support network that genuinely understands the needs of survivors. Through these efforts, I am working tirelessly to influence change in my community. My goal is to create a more compassionate and understanding environment where individuals, especially survivors of human trafficking and foster youth, feel supported, valued, and empowered on their path to healing and recovery. As I continue to educate myself, I aspire to educate others to adress root causes of social issues and help create systemic changes.

As a survivor of human trafficking and a former foster youth, who has battled with PTSD, my journey has fueled my passion for mental health advocacy. Currently pursuing a degree in administrative justice and social behavioral sciences, I have first hand lived experience and knowledge of the need for change in our mental health systems. There are several actions I am taking, and will continue to take, to create a positive impact on community mental health. I have and will leverage my knowledge of administrative justice to advocate for policies that support mental health services, particularly for marginalized communities and fellow survivors, helping law enforcement and the public recognize the difference between a criminal and a victim or someone commiting an act of survival. Engaging with lawmakers and state representatives, I am determined to raise awareness about accessible and affordable mental health care, emphasizing the importance of appropriate resources for all. In my community, I help create and advertise workshops, awareness campaigns, and curriculum, to educate people about mental health issues, trauma, and the available resources. Through these efforts, my goal is to reduce stigma and empower individuals to seek help without fear or judgment. Using my personal experiences, I offer peer support to fellow survivors. I guide young people who have faced similar traumas, helping them navigate challenges and pursue education and careers. I firmly believe that peer support and mentorship can create lasting positive change in the lives of those who have endured similar hardships. Collaborating with nonprofits and organizations focused on mental health, human trafficking survivors, and foster youth, I provide valuable insights to enhance their programs and services. By actively engaging in research related to mental health issues faced by survivors, I aim to contribute to academic knowledge and advocate for evidence-based interventions. In my role as a first responder on a mobile crisis unit, I advocate for comprehensive training for emergency responders in handling mental health crises. I work towards ensuring that responders are equipped with the knowledge and empathy needed to address sensitive situations effectively. I also prioritize self-care and encourage others to do the same. By promoting mindfulness, art therapy, and support groups, I emphasize the importance of mental and emotional well-being, especially for those who have experienced trauma. I use my voice and personal story to inspire change. By speaking at events, conferences, and educational settings, I aim to raise awareness about mental health, human trafficking, and the unique challenges faced by foster youth. I believe that sharing personal narratives can dismantle stereotypes, foster understanding, and drive meaningful progress in mental health advocacy. I am committed to creating a positive impact on mental health initiatives, advocacy efforts, and support systems. My journey empowers me to be a powerful advocate and ally in the mental health community, and I will continue to dedicate my efforts to this cause.

When we talk about human trafficking, we talk about risk factors. What makes someone vulnerable to being trafficked? Entry into the foster care system, drug abuse in the home, abuse as a child, and a strained relationship with the family. I had a lot of risk factors. I was born to parents who abused drugs and alcohol. My mother left my father when I was a toddler, and he went to prison on a 30-year sentence. She continued to have more children, while using drugs and alcohol, often leaving me and my siblings to fend for ourselves. During that time I was abused by one of her husbands as well as a sexually assaulted by babysitter whose mother was supplying her drugs, and she did not advocate for me. I was taken a few times by CPS and at 7 years old I was removed for the final time and was adopted. I grew up in the suburbs of Sacramento. I went to all the summer camps you could imagine, had good grades in school, and I had one of the best educations in the State of California. But that was not enough to heal trauma and a low self esteem. At 18 years old on my birthday I left the house and didn’t move back. At 19 years old, I met my trafficker, who, after about 9 months of grooming, he lured me up to a remote area. I was trapped there by force and fear. I was assaulted, threatened, and forced to do manual labor in the black market marijuana industry. I was used to pay debts, and entertain his friends. My trafficker sat in on my phone calls, I saw my parents a few times a year, I was given a time limit, and was never unsupervised. I was scared to call law enforcement because he convinced me that if I called them, I would also go to jail for participation in his crimes. And the truth is, that if officers didn't recognize what human trafficking was, I would. This continued until the day he almost killed me by giving me pills that caused a nonfatal overdose, and I knew he’d ask me to take them again, and I knew I had to get out if I wanted to live. I was willing to take the risk because at this point I didn’t think I was going to live much longer. Someone I never met before helped me leave, I left with whatever fit in the bed of her truck. That was eight years ago. I work now as a first responder on a mobile crisis unit responding to mental health calls. I volunteer as a community advocate and have a four-hour class I teach law enforcement agencies on identification, prosecution, and prevention of human trafficking. I have been working towards my associates degree for four years. Financial assistance would assist me to finish getting my degree and continue to develop my curriculum which I use to educate the community and advocate for change, it would lessen the burden of working grueling hours to pay for what classes I can at a time. It took a village of people willing to help me, along with my wanting to help myself. It took that one person that believed me when I said I wanted help. I am living my life to set an example of what survivors can do when given the tools to succeed. And I would like to be able to continue to suceed.

The sentiment expressed in the "Ode To Millennials-Gen Z" text resonates deeply with me, particularly in light of my own experiences and dedication to making a positive impact in my chosen career. The comparison drawn between the challenges faced by the Greatest Generation during the Great Depression and World War II, and the hurdles confronting Millennials and Gen Z today, is a powerful reminder of not only "history repeating itself" but the potential for transformative change. I try to see the positives in the younger generation – their adaptability, kindness, and willingness to tackle daunting challenges with an open heart. But I also understand the potential resentment that some harbor towards older generations who dismiss our want for a better world, and sometimes even feel like we should suffer just as they did. The call of duty described in the text aligns with my own sense of purpose – to effect change, advocate for justice, and provide unwavering support to those who have been through unimaginable experiences. "The Greatest Generation 2.0" signifies the potential for this younger generation to rise to the occasion, address complex global issues, and create a more equitable and compassionate world. In my role as a crisis worker, I interact closely with these younger generations, witnessing their determination and commitment. It's inspiring to be part of the solution, and try to help the youth of today maintain a hopeful and postitive attitude, even when faced with significant challenges like a fragile economy, environmental concerns, and societal inequities. I'm confident that their innovative thinking, empathy, and passion will bring on a meaningful change, just as their predecessors did in their trying times. "Ode To Millennials-Gen Z" text encapsulates what I encounter daily in my chosen career. Just as I've dedicated myself to my community, I believe that Millennials and Gen Z are well on their way to becoming "The Greatest Generation 2.0," shaping a brighter future for us all.

As a someone who experienced chidhood abuse, being a foster child, and human trafficking, my personal experience has shaped my dedication to making a positive impact on the world through my criminal justice career. I am deeply committed to advocating for justice, empowering survivors, and effecting systemic changes. My current accompishments include being on the board of directors for a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering survivors of human trafficking. I currently engage in public speaking engagements and presentations, actively working to educate communities about the prevalence of human trafficking within their neighborhoods and industries. My focus lies in training law enforcement personnel to approach human trafficking investigations with a trauma-informed perspective. By emphasizing empathy and understanding, I strive to ensure that survivors are met with the support and care they truly need. In 2022, I was honored with a recognition award from the Archdiocese of San Francisco for my commitment to my work. Moreover, my story was featured in a documentary that same year, shining a light on my journey as a survivor of sexual assault. Furthermore, my writing will be published in an anthology centered around surviving human trafficking, amplifying my voice and experiences to inspire others. Through my work in the criminal justice field, I plan to focus on several key areas to contribute to a safer and more equitable society. I will prioritize raising awareness about the prevalence of human trafficking and working towards its prevention. I aim to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and educational institutions to develop and implement educational programs that shed light on the signs, risks, and consequences of trafficking. By equipping individuals with knowledge, we can collectively identify and intervene in potential trafficking situations. Another crucial aspect of my impact will involve improving the response to human trafficking cases. I plan to further advocate for trauma-informed approaches within law enforcement and the legal system, emphasizing empathy, sensitivity, and support for survivors. By championing survivor-centered practices, I aim to ensure that their voices are heard, their experiences are validated, and their rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process. I will work towards enhancing collaboration between various sectors, such as law enforcement, social services, and healthcare, to provide comprehensive support to survivors. This includes establishing and strengthening partnerships, sharing resources, and implementing coordinated approaches to address the complex needs of survivors. In addition to direct advocacy, I plan to use my voice and platform to raise awareness on a broader scale. Through public speaking engagements, media appearances, and writing, I will share my story and experiences to inspire others and encourage a broader understanding of the systemic issues that perpetuate human trafficking. By fostering empathy and compassion, I aim to mobilize communities, policymakers, and individuals to take action and create lasting change. My mission is to empower survivors, promote justice, and eradicate human trafficking. I believe that through a multifaceted approach, combining prevention, intervention, and support, we can build a society that prioritizes the well-being and rights of every individual. By using my criminal justice career as a tool for change, I can work towards a world where no one has to endure the pain and suffering I experienced and where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

I was eight years old when I lived with a mother who was a firefighter, but also an addict and alcoholic. I know that we see first responders as heroes, but what I learned early on is that they are not immune to addiction, and my mother was not a hero to me. My father was not there, as he been sentenced to 30 years in state prison a few years prior. After being placed into the foster system, and premanently removed from my mother's custody, I became a ward of the state, before I was placed into the care of adoptive parents. My early childhood had been filled with experiences that most children my age had never heard of. The fear of my potential resemblance to my birth parents manifested in strictness from my adoptive parents and the use of physical punishment, and isolation techniques. Their intentions were rooted in love and a desire to protect me, but they did not know how to properly. This childhood experience forever altered me, and so when I moved out of their house at 18 I fell into the trap of human trafficking for over five years. This experience instilled within me a deep longing for the kind of strong, loving connections that I had never experienced. I embarked upon a period of intensive healing and growth. I began my education and pursuit of a criminal justice degree, while working as a crisis worker on a mobile crisis unit. With my degree and passion for social justice, I am committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in the community who are in need. Because I have a personal understanding of the gaps in the system, my primary goal is to advocate for justice and support survivors of human trafficking, but also working towards a world where the welfare of our children is prioritized, where the healing of familial bonds takes precedence, and where the cycle of dysfunction is broken. I have dedicated myself to helping children, parents, and families repair the broken bonds that tear them apart, and to provide them with the tools they need to heal and thrive. I plan to use the credibility of a degree combined with lived experience to improve existing systems and policies related to identifying and assisting victims of violence of all forms. I aim to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, and social service organizations to develop comprehensive training programs. These programs will equip first responders and healthcare workers with the necessary tools to provide trauma-informed care, and ensure that victims are not treated as criminals, and receive the support they deserve. By educating communities and industry professionals, I hope to dismantle misconceptions, break the silence, and develop comprehensive support systems. I want survivors reclaim their lives, access necessary resources, and foster long-term healing and stability. By leveraging my degree and personal experiences, I aspire to contribute to a society that not only identifies and survivors but also prevents violence from occurring in the first place by addressing root causes. Through these efforts, I hope to foster a community where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered to overcome adversity and create lasting change.