Los Angeles County is one of the highest intensity areas for sexual exploitation of children in the United States: From the 12-year-old who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, to the 16-year-old who was lured out to see the “Romeo” she met online, and the 13-year-old who ran away from home after being sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend.
Give-Mentor-Love Foundation supports all victims and their unique needs, and has been serving victims of sex trafficking and exploitation across L.A. County since 2019. GML helps them heal from the trauma they suffer, return to school, and learn to trust, dream and believe that they are worthy of a better life.
Unfortunately, the stark reality is that many of these victims reach age 18 without a high school education and are still deeply damaged and too traumatized to survive. Unprotected and with no support or guidance, their pimp or exploiter quickly finds a way to regain control and pulls them back on to the streets from where they were rescued.
You can change their future.
GML will host its annual fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills raising funds to build the Village — a transformative living and learning community designed to provide support and guidance to victims of sex trafficking who age out of foster care.
The Village will offer therapy, social and living skills training, and guidance toward continuing education programs to help these victims achieve independence and success. With tiny houses, a learning center, community building and therapeutic spaces, the Village will provide a nurturing and holistic environment to help turn their tragic stories into lives of triumph.
“Sex trafficking is happening right here, in your neighborhood,” said Donna Pierson, founder and chairperson of GML. “Please join us in our efforts to build a safe haven of holistic care for L.A. County sex trafficked survivors. Your support could mean the difference between life and death to one of these victims.”
For sponsorship information and tickets, visit GiveMentorLove.org/fundraiser or call Pierson at (951) 500-9553.
First published in the September 7 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
