Jennifer Hamburger, DPA, WellHouse Child Director

My name is Jennifer Hamburger, and I am the Program Director for the WellHouse Child.

I came to the WellHouse in 2019 after encountering minor victims of trafficking while investigating a sexual abuse case. I knew the young ladies from my time as a school resource officer, so listening to their forensic interview brought this tragedy close to home. After the interview, the reality that our state lacked resources specific to provide these minor victims was apparent. I searched but could not find help for these young ladies whose families do not have the financial resources to provide trauma therapy.

For a few weeks, I tried to wrap my head around the fact that there was not a specific residence for minor victims of sex trafficking. I read news articles and listened as cities around our state were spending millions on revitalizing their downtowns. I watched the news and saw how actively our state was recruiting new industries. Amid all this energy, minor victims in our state were being trafficked, and there was nothing to offer them. As I tried to reconcile this in my heart and mind, I couldn’t. I tried to go back to work as usual, but God kept it on my heart.

I was very prayerful and asked that God show me what he wanted from me. I reached out to the WellHouse and described my experience and what I felt like God was asking from me. I was told it was a part of their five-year plan in our first conversation, and the conversations escalated. Over the next few weeks, and months my prayers and talks with God became more intense. He began to show me very clearly this is the direction he wanted me to move. The WellHouse and I stepped out on faith and started the journey of filling the gap.

I have had the opportunity to work with minors and their parents in other states and have been blessed in ways I cannot describe. I often reflect on my encounters with adult and minor victims, and I am so humbled I cry. To think that God has allowed me the honor of being in the moment with the survivors is overwhelming. Sometimes, I think we can get caught up in the energy of being the person who is helping and insert I instead of Him. Recently, God touched me and reminded me I am merely His vessel.

Now, with the WellHouse Child construction complete, we are “nesting” as a new mother would in preparation for this incredible responsibility God has entrusted the WellHouse staff to protect.

Developing a Program for Trafficked Children