Connecting with our community
Much of our work is here in the Tenderloin district, making friendships with women who come in and out of the city. During one of our recent street outreach nights we encountered an old friend, named Rita* huddled against the wall of a rundown apartment building. I first met her 4 years ago, sitting on a sidewalk at night in much the same position she is in now. She has been homeless for years, and was trafficked into prostitution as a young teenager. Rita is addicted to crack cocaine, commonly used by women we reach out to, as means to deal with the pain and trauma caused by prostitution. In the 4 years I have known her, Rita has given birth to a son, ultimately having to hand him over to Child Protective Services because of her drug use. We’ve seen her come and go through different drug rehab programs and like many women exploited in the sex industry, Rita is trapped. We
still see hope though, and are working to come alongside and be family for her; a safe place to come to. We dream that one day she will find the strength to escape the captivity of prostitution and when she is ready for help, we will still be here. Through our women’s events and daily ministry, we often meet women with similar stories. At Because Justice Matters our hope is that we can be a positive influence in the lives of women who are exploited and abused. In the words of Mother Teresa, “We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.”
*name changed
Broadway Strip Clubs
This summer we are focusing outreach on Broadway Street. We have had a presence here for a few years, and are moving forward to establish our work with those working in the adult entertainment industry.
There are numerous strip clubs and adult entertainment stores in this small area of the city. In the 1880s during the California Gold Rush, many women were brought from Asia in ships and trafficked into prostitution. They were the glamour girls of their time; this history lives on today, as the corruption of sexuality still exists in the adult industry. Many are unaware of the trauma and abuse that these women suffer on a daily basis. For a young woman it could just start as an ‘innocent’ job, waitressing in a strip club, and quickly develop into a life of exploitation as a dancer or being forced into prostitution. People are being used every day here to make profit. We want to see this change.
We want to be a community that empowers, and calls out the true value of these women who work in such a demanding, and oftentimes degrading industry. We visit Broadway Street weekly to build friendships with the women. Our plan is to start handing out gift bags with make-up and beauty products as an icebreaker, to further develop conversations and build on the relationships that we have. If you or your faith community would like to donate towards our work, please send any donations of high quality make-up to the address below. (Examples include Mac, Estee Lauder, Clinique etc)
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