We are aware of many cancellations and postponements of events and trainings related to human trafficking awareness due to COVID-19 concerns. While these cancellations are completely necessary so the spread of sickness can be curbed, we realize many are disappointed with these disruptions to events and to learning.

There are still many online opportunities to continue learning about human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. One way is to access films online, and here are some that we have seen.

Like many across the world, we at Restorations are listening carefully to the announcements and precautions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time of uncertainty and anxiety, we pray for peace, good health, and wise leadership.

Our Executive Director is a columnist for the Christian Reformed Church’s Do Justice blog. She writes quarterly for them. Here’s an excerpt from her contribution in February.

Our Executive Director is a columnist for the Christian Reformed Church’s Do Justice blog. She writes quarterly for them. Here’s an excerpt from her contribution in December.

Friends and supporters,

This past September, Restorations celebrated its 5th birthday. 5 years ago, a group of passionate individuals met for the first time on the floor of a living room. We dreamed of opening a home that would support survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.

We are thankful for people who approach us with opportunities to raise awareness about Restorations and raise funds for us to open our first home.

A few years ago, we met Meaghan Martin, founder of the annual Sleep Tight PJ Party. This past year, Meaghan asked Restorations if we would consider being the charity her event would fundraise for at this November’s PJ Party event.

Monthly financial contributions from supporters and donors is a crucial way to ensure that we can open Restorations’ first home as soon as possible.

Hannah Van Dyk is one of our first monthly partners. We asked Hannah some questions that we would like to share with you all in hopes that you might consider monthly partnership too!

I’ve lost my voice.

Tis the season… of colds and illness. Combined with a busy season for Restorations attending numerous events and speaking engagements, a seasonal cold has caught up with me and I’ve lost my voice.

Every time I lose my voice, I am reminded of the privilege it is to have a voice – both the physical ability to speak words, and the privilege I hold in having my voice and my ideas heard.

My daughter is three and in that phase where she’s curious and asks questions about everything and anything. We were running late one morning a couple of weeks ago, and as I was rushing her to the car she stooped over to pick up something from the ground. It was a bud of some sort and she asked, “Why is it green?” I quickly brushed her off with an “I don’t know.” Her response caught me off guard: “Maybe it didn’t have a chance to bloom.”

Jennifer is deeply committed to addressing issues of slavery, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

With excitement, Restorations Second Stage Homes announces a new partnership with the Reformed Church in America and the appointment of our inaugural Executive Director.

“Abundance in the Wilderness” is a Lenten video devotional series put together by the Reformed Church in America’s Women’s Transformation and Leadership team.

I am not a fan of winter – never have been, and likely never will be. The cold of our southern Ontario winters has me longing for milder spring and (better yet) warm summer.

This past weekend, we had above seasonal temperatures. It was glorious. Most winters, I find that I have to make extra effort to look after my mental health; something about winters just puts me in a funk. But this past weekend – as I spent time outdoors basking in the sun and milder temperature, thinking about my spring garden and summer barbeques – a word kept popping into my mind: hope.