Unveiling the Light in Darkness: Lake Highlands Neighbor Champions Human Trafficking Prevention
Meet Leila Myers, a Local Advocate Restoring Hope in Our Community
Leila Myers is in many ways your average neighbor - a resident since 2016, you can spot her out and about at the library, Sprouts, Mi Cocina, and Jake’s drive-thru. But something that might be hard to spot with her fun-loving personality is that Leila is a leader in Watermark’s Reclaimed Ministry serving victims and survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation in the Dallas area.
“I think a misconception is this is a small scale or shrinking issue, but the fact of the matter is this is a rapidly growing issue, even in Lake Highlands. And it's a hidden crime, because we don’t necessarily know it when we see it, but it’s ruining lives, destroying families, and endangering our communities.”
So where does Leila come in? She volunteers as the Safe House Partnerships Coordinator, a liaison between Reclaimed and safe house partner Refuge for Women (RFW). She wrangles volunteers and plans get-togethers with RFW residents as well as collaborates with the safe house as a whole on how Reclaimed can best support the organization.
“Human Trafficking is dark and can appear hopeless, but it is such a privilege to volunteer on the restorative side supporting courageous, wonderful survivors who have become some of my dear friends as well as the staff that pours into them. It’s a testament to God’s transformative love and light,” says Leila.
Reclaimed Ministries has many outreaches in addition to its partnership with RFW, including reaching out to those currently trapped in or facilitating trafficking or exploitation, as well as working in education and outreach. Two upcoming education opportunities open to the community include the February 2-3 Roots Study, an informative equipping course, that provides an in-depth look into sex trafficking in the US as well as a Trafficking Awareness Event to be hosted at Watermark Church on April 18.
***SIDE BAR***
January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, below are some resources for our community:
National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
Traffick 911: Provides support for victims under the age of 18
Refuge for Women: Local Safe House for survivors over 18 with additional locations across the US
Reclaimed: Watermark’s anti-sex trafficking ministry
"I'm so thankful for Refuge for Women. I am now thriving as a nurse and it's all thanks to the help and support I received from them."
"TESTIMONIAL QUOTE 2 I'M STILL WAITING FOR SO LEAVE SOME SPACE"