Names have been changed for the protection of the victim.

It was a cold winter day, and I was on my way to a job interview. The position was for House Mentor, and the employer was The Wellhouse.

The Wellhouse is a safe-house campus and long-term recovery program that rescues victims of human trafficking.

I can honestly say that I had NO prior experience, but I had done my research. Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime next to drug trafficking. All I could think about was how could this really be happening? Could this be so close? I was so curious and had so many questions. During the interview, a lot of my questions were answered, but the curiosity was still there. I was offered the job and graciously accepted.

Upon arrival my first day, I remember being scared. I was thinking, what do I say? Will they understand me? I had so many thoughts. When the door opened to The WellHouse, I was amazed! They were just like you and me. They were like the girls you went to school with, your next-door neighbors, or your friends.

When we look at the news, we don't always get the full picture. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. We don't always see the older ladies, the drug-addicted, or the shy individuals that are being coerced or persuaded. We don't see the little black girl, or the teenage white male, or the Hispanic college student; but it happens to them as well. A trafficker, a person who deals or trades in something illegal, will prey on the weak no matter what their nationality, religion, or race.

During my early days at The WellHouse, I remember a young girl… I will call her Amy. Amy was shy, but beautiful. Amy was pretty but tried to appear masculine with the clothes she wore and how she shaved her hair short like a male, and she had many tattoos. She didn't talk much, but she would stand out in a crowd because of her beauty.

I can remember Amy not wanting anything to do with me. I was confused. I thought, surely I could make her like me. Amy didn't speak to me my first two weeks. Not so much as a hello.

One morning, I came in about 7 a.m. Amy was waiting for staff to log her on to the computer for her designated computer time. I logged her on, and then, she began to talk. She showed me a YouTube video of a trial hearing. I saw a young girl on the stand, and she was testifying. The face was blurred, but I knew it was Amy. Even though the clip was maybe five minutes, it meant so much to me that she finally opened up.

Amy's story began when she was 14 years old. She was addicted to Marijuana. She normally wouldn't buy it, but her friend who she normally smoked with was in trouble, and she had no choice. Amy went to the drug supplier's house, where she was then held captive for seven months.

She was sex-trafficked during her captivity.

By a highly-organized criminal organization from Mexico.

During that time, Amy became pregnant with twins (that explained the two names tattooed on her arms).

Because her traffickers were so dangerous, Amy was forced to give her daughters up for adoption for their protection. Amy was never able to see her children again. She knew that was in the best interest of the children, but it still hurt.

After Amy was able to get free, and later testified in court, her traffickers were given two consecutive life sentences.

During her time at The WellHouse, Amy was able to receive counseling and guidance on how to deal with trauma. Amy became very friendly! I can remember every morning coming in to see that beautiful, smiling face. Amy would always have coffee ready and a full conversation.

Eventually Amy decided to move back to her home state with her family. The day she left, she said, "Ms. Tawanda, I will never forget the things I learned at The WellHouse. Most importantly, I will never forget that God loves me more than anything and anyone ever can."

Amy was, and will always be, special. All the women that enter The WellHouse are special. We are given an opportunity in life to make a difference, and to serve the Lord. I have been humbled and honored to serve the Lord by loving and supporting these women in my time at The WellHouse.

I'll leave you with this scripture, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love," Galatians 5:13.

Survivor Story: Amy