ABOUT SELAH FREEDOM

Our History, Leadership and Mission

About Our Anti-Human Trafficking Organization

Selah Freedom is a nonprofit anti-human trafficking organization, based in Florida and the Midwest, with the mission to end sex trafficking and bring freedom to the exploited through four strong programs: Advocacy & Awareness, Prevention, Outreach, and Residential.

 

Serving Survivors of Human Trafficking

 

Selah Freedom confronts the issue of sex trafficking and is upheld as the model for how to effectively bring solutions to survivors of sex trafficking & exploitation. Selah is a Hebrew word which means to pause, rest, and reflect. We give survivors a chance to do just that. Women in our sex trafficking Outreach Program are provided the opportunity to dream again; to discover who it is they were created to be.

 

Fighting to Change Human Trafficking Statistics  

 

In 2010, Selah Freedom's founders, Elizabeth Melendez Fisher Good, Laurie Swink and Misty Stinson, discovered the horrifying truth that local children were being bought and sold for sex right here in our own communities - that's right, American children! What began as the grassroots initiative of women from across the country to be a voice for the voiceless, has quickly transformed into a thriving organization with four foundational programs: Advocacy & Awareness, Prevention, Outreach, and Residential. Selah Freedom closely partners with law enforcement, legislators, and influential leaders to not only shed light on the staggering human trafficking statistics, but we are working together to change those statistics by changing lives!

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OUR HISTORY

Anti-Sex Trafficking Training from Selah Freedom

 

Selah Freedom brings human trafficking Awareness and Education to the community and organizations through their speakers bureau team, CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) 101 Course, law enforcement training, and Organizational Mentorship. They also advocate for change through legislation. Their Prevention Program equips parents, youth and those who work with them, with the tools they need to avoid being manipulated by a trafficker and successfully prevents girls from being commercially sold. Our Outreach Program is active in the jail system and on the street and provides support groups, case management, and referral services to women currently in "the life", as well as a prostitution court diversion program. We provide Residential Programming for survivors of sex trafficking that includes a personalized educational plan, job placement, trauma therapy, life skills, medical and legal assistance, and holistic restorative care. As we bring light into the darkness of sex trafficking, we see victims transformed into survivors!

At Selah Freedom we celebrate the diversity of all people. We understand the critical importance of diverse representation of our staff and the youth we serve throughout our conversations, research, outreach and prevention and programs. We are dedicated to expanding our model in diverse communities and advocating for all youth to be included in our work to bring light into the darkness of sex trafficking.

Meet Our Team

Selah Freedom is honored to have survivors on our staff serving in all programs and we are continually adding more.

 

Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved in human trafficking prevention and to support our programs for Awareness & Advocacy, Prevention, Outreach, and Residential.

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Laurie Swink

CoFounder/Executive Director 

laurie Swink is a Co-Founder of Selah Freedom. Her  passion and  goal is to prepare survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation for their true purpose and potential.

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Dr. Jason Quintal

National Clinical Director

Dr. Quintal specializes in training and development and in the treatment and resolution of complex and complicated trauma, PTSD, grief, guilt & shame, childhood abuse and sexual violence. 

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Brent Woody

General Counsel

Brent Woody provides in-depth analysis of the effect of local, state, federal, and international human trafficking policy and laws that affect Selah Freedom.

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Misty LaPerriere

National Law Enforcement Liaison and Trainer

Misty LaPerriere works directly with survivors of sex trafficking, trains law enforcement and the judicial system on this issue, while also providing certificate completion for officers. She serves on the 12th Judicial Circuit Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition and is a survivor herself and has worked with survivors for over a decade. Misty is designated as a Victims Advocate through the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute for Human Trafficking with the Attorney General’s Office. Her certifications include 2018 Human Trafficking Summit from the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Certified Advanced Gang Specialist from the Florida Gang Investigators Association, Certified CSEC trainer. 

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Kyra Montaque

Southeast Prevention Coordinator

Kyra is the Southeast Prevention Coordinator. She spent 7 years working for the public school system where she worked with a high percentage of children from low-income families. Her goal was to ensure the success of all children regardless of background, and she did this by creating interactive learning curriculums that catered to this generation of student where technology rules. Kyra has dedicated her life to children and the development of each individual child. Since coming on board with Selah Freedom in 2017 Kyra now carries the same passion she had in the classroom with her to work to prevent and equip children and adults with the knowledge that is needed to end sex trafficking and exploitation.

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Kara Thompson, LSW

Midwest Prevention Coordinator

Kara currently serves as the Midwest Prevention Coordinator with Selah Freedom. Her heart lies in working with youth and youth-interveners so that they will feel equipped, educated, and empowered. Kara's experience working with youth and families extends beyond the non-profit sector, as she has had opportunities to walk alongside young people in settings such as the juvenile court, schools and behavioral health hospital. She holds a BSW from Miami University and a MSW from University of Illinois at Chicago. 

Above: Residential Program Team: Darleny Ramize, Madeleine Chiders, Debra Kein, Angela Valenti and Julia O'Keefe.

"I am happy here. For the first time since

I can remember, I feel truly loved." 

-Selah Freedom Survivor

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In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Justice policy, this organization is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write the Florida Department of Legal Affairs, Federal Discrimination Complaint Coordinator, PL-01 The Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1050, or call 850-414-3300, or write Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (Voice) or 202-307-2027 (TDD/TYY) or https://ojp.gov/about/ocr/complaint.htm. Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech), or 800-845-6136 (Spanish).  

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EIN 45-5189165