#SpotlightOnCLT: Lily Pad Haven
Written by Holly Blackman
Human trafficking can sound like a humanitarian heartstring issue, pulling on the fringe of society, and before meeting a victim - a college student who was coerced into what was advertised as a modeling agency career photo shoot - I coldly dismissed sex trafficking as the modern-day term for prostitution. I quickly realized this is real life where people are preyed upon, often drugged and abused.
Vulnerability creates desperation, and loneliness, low self-esteem, lack of familial structure or money trouble presents itself at a bus stop, a facade of a relationship,
“But what can I DO?,” I often think.
Being aware, being alert and in touch with your environment is key - for your own safety and for the safety of others. And, support organizations like Lily Pad Haven.
Lily Pad Haven is the safety for others. They have 2 safe houses in Mecklenburg county (one in Salisbury, one in Gaston) and one in York county where women can not only escape their perpetrators but work healing and growing to be, once again, independent citizens.
Lily Pad Haven is a landing pad for these guests to heal and learn how to transition back into society - skillfully, emotionally, spiritually, physically equipping guests to reenter the world requires comprehensive, collaborative services, donations and community partnerships.
This Saturday, January 12 at 6 pm, support Lily Pad Haven by attending the Carolina Voices’ concert, Silhouettes: Giving Voice to the Voiceless, at Booth Playhouse in Founders Hall. Tickets can be purchased here through Carolina Tix and proceeds go to rehabilitative services, bills for the 5 houses, case workers’ salaries, food and healthcare for the guests of Lily Pad Haven.
Like every beautifully blooming lily pad, we all have webs of entangled roots below the surface, some of us have the financial and emotional resources to detangle the convoluted web, yet others need assistance to be able to reach the light and not just remain stuck and bound.
Help set these victims free by giving of your time and resources or attending the Carolina Voices’ concert Silhouettes: Giving Voice to the Voiceless THIS Saturday night at 6 pm at the Booth Playhouse at Founders Hall.
Human trafficking is a prevalent, dangerous issue- it is modern day slavery and it is right under our noses. Check out these eye opening statistics provided by Lily Pad Haven: