A New Season
I knew one day I'd be writing this letter... I just didn't know it would come during a pandemic.
We can never know what is ahead, we can only move forward with hope.
Eleven years ago I stepped out of my comfort zone and with God's strength announced to friends and family and my pastor that I was a survivor of the commercial sex industry and victim of Human Trafficking. I wanted to use my past to help others like me… But to do that, I would have to have courage! A LOT OF IT!
I finally decided to go back to the very strip clubs I had once worked in to share hope with other women, to let them know that there was a way out! (Thanks to Harmony, Founder of Treasures) I remember my 1st experience going back in the clubs. I was so afraid to step back through those doors again, but when I did I felt a spiritual earthquake under my feet the moment I stepped into the club. I knew then that I was taking back the territory that the enemy had stolen. I felt the call so strong that is was time and I knew visiting the women in the clubs wasn’t all there was. I knew I needed to do more, to offer what I had needed to get out, a safe place to live with a safe community and the opportunity to work in a job while processing the trauma I had endured. I wanted to open a residential program.
It was most important to me that Cherished be a space first for honoring those who have suffered such trauma and secondly I wanted to create a safe space for healing to be possible! First I started an outreach to local women working in the sex industry (Thanks to Kathe S. & Karen and Pastor Rob Fish for going out on that 1st outreach!) I knew then we would continue to do this!
After, I shared with those in my community what I felt God was calling me to do. I was surprised at the response! With the support of our city, several churches, and people in the community we were able to begin a program that has now reached out to thousands of women wanting to leave a life of exploitation and abuse. I am so proud of all the volunteers and staff, financial supporters, prayer warriors and friends who kept encouraging me during those time when I felt it was too difficult to keep going. I am so grateful for those who have believed in me and have come along side of me on this journey to make it all possible!
THANK YOU ALL!!
At Cherished we believe you can only take people as far as you are willing to go yourself. Over the years I was unsuccessful in finding a therapist for myself that could understand Complex PTSD. Instead, I was re-traumatized over and over again so I decided to do some deeper work on my own and that led to getting two certificates in Narrative Focused Trauma Care (NFTC) through The Allender Center at the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology.
Working with a good team is everything and to have that it takes prayer, training, and being invested in developing a culture to accomplish the greater goal. I am proud that we have become a well trained, trauma-informed program that truly helps women heal and to discover who they are called to be. For nine years it has been my pleasure to volunteer as the Executive Director of Cherished. It was another "stepping out" of my comfort zone, but it was a necessity if I wanted to get the program going. It's taken nine years to get to this place. I'm proud of the different teams that have been a part of these nine years as most NPOs don't make it past the 2 year point. But thank God HE had another plan for us!
I love that he called me to be the visionary that spearheaded this idea, but I give the credit to those around that help make it happen! That's why I am so excited to announce the next phase of Cherished:
Cherished 2.0!
I feel it is time now for me to step down as the Executive Director. I am confident that I am turning this fantastic program (my baby... that I have sacrificed for, labored for, sweated for and shed many many tears over) now over to a very competent staff! Each and every one are ALL an answer to long awaited prayers for what is the future of Cherished. THANK YOU GOD! Each and every one have their own story that fuels the work they are passionate about!
I will always remain the founder and won't be far away, but handing it over will allow me to have more time for more of the things that are dear to me: public speaking and awareness, mentoring survivors and writing a book, and dreaming with others for what God has planned for us next! I am also continuing my education through the Allender Center as I enter an Externship next month for leading group and story workshops on a larger scale.
I can’t thank you all enough for your love and support, it has been a major part of my own healing!!
Sincerely, In His Service, Kate
Survivor And Founder of CherishedLA, Kate Wedell
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ~ KAYLA CAMPBELL
I am so excited to announce the new Executive Director of CherishedLA, Kayla Campbell.
Kayla has a BA In Biblical Studies and came to Cherished to learn how to work with survivors of sexual exploitation and Human Trafficking. She has been working with Cherished survivors for over 4 years as the Assistant Director and has been such an asset to implementing growth, structure, and mentorship. I have never seen anyone who loves this work as much as I do until I met Kayla. She has taken the vision of Cherished and embraced it as her own with a compassion and understanding of this demographic! Kayla is working on her Masters looking at the intersection of trauma and spirituality and is currently completing her Certification in lay trauma counseling at the Allender Center in Seattle.
Cherished 2.0 means turning these 9 years of vision and labor over to someone I can trust who will take us to the next level! I’m so proud that Kayla is that person! Kayla oversees all operations of the program while also gets to work individually with the women as they progress through the 3 phases of the program. Overseeing education, job training, and employment. She also is amazing at connecting with survivors across the country who are seeking help. Please extend your prayers for Kayla as she takes on this new mantle!
As we “go from strength to Strength!” Ps 84:7
Kayla Campbell, Executive Director CherishedLA
RESIDENTIAL DIRECTOR ~ LATRICE ORANTES
Latrice has been a part of the CherishedLA team as the Residential Program Director for 1 year.
While also holding a director position at another organization, Latrice has been working survivors of Domestic Violence for almost eight years and has been an advocate for survivors of Human Trafficking for nearly five years. A graduate of The California State University of Bakersfield, she earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology. Latrice is well versed in trauma informed care with experience working with diverse populations as a State Certified Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Counselor; Certified Human Trafficking Case Manager; State Certified Facilitator of Domestic Violence groups for both victims and batterers, and has credentials from the National Advocate Credentialing Program as an Advanced Intervention Specialist. She is currently in pursuit of an MSW degree at Tulane School of Social Work. Latrice spends many hours helping survivors learn how to cultivate safe environments through studies on boundaries and safe people, activities to identify their views of a safe home, and learning living skills and routines from grocery shopping to evening walks and live music. Latrice graciously brings her professional, as well as her spiritual attributes, to the lives of the women she encounters.
Latrice Orantes, Residential Director CherishedLA
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST ~ DR. KASHIRA RODGERS-HARVEY, Psy D
Dr. Rodgers graduated from the Chicago School Of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Rodgers has focused her career on assisting survivors of trauma, violence, and abuse. She has been working in mental health since 2005 including being a mental health counselor at LASD Twin Towers and before that as a special education teacher. Dr. Rodgers has long had a passion for helping others. This can be seen in her advocacy work with survivors of domestic violence, assault, and human trafficking. She enjoys giving back to her community which she does by volunteering with Los Angeles VIDA program. Dr. Rodgers was a volunteer with the sheriff's department for over nine years and was awarded the "Excellence in Motion" award in 2018 for her many years of service. Even though Dr. Rodgers has a full load, she spends 2 days a week doing group and individual counseling with the residents at Cherished. She is passionate about the work we do at Cherished. Her healing art activities are something to be envied - I've seen them pull out paints, craft projects, fidget toys, etc. She's also been known to introduce the women to new fruits (jack fruit, dragon fruit, etc.) and great local spots to get fresh produce. She has her own history growing up with profound trauma that she is able to draw strength from as she relates to each woman individually! We are so honored to have her on our team!!
Dr. Kashira Rodgers-Harvey, Psy D, Forensic Psychologist CherishedLA
ADDICTION SPECIALIST ~ CARRIE CAMPBELL
Carrie Campbell is a certified life coach, motivational speaker, and substance abuse disorder counselor with advance experience at one of the most sought after behavioral healthcare agencies in Southern California.
Carrie champions and empowers those caught in the vicious cycle of unhealthy behaviors. She specializes in addiction, Domestic Violence and cognitive restructuring. Carrie's passion and purpose was developed as a response to her intimate battle with trauma and addiction. Carrie’s no nonsense, straight forward approach has been able to dismantle faulty core beliefs so that others can walk in freedom. Carrie meets with the Cherished residents once a week and works with them on different topics including relapse prevention, interpersonal relationships, parenting, and process groups. It has long been a desire of ours to provide to the women with quality relapse prevention classes. Carrie started out as a volunteer and now we are so blessed to be able to have her on the staff as a part of the Cherished Team!
Carrie Campbell, Addiction and Relapse Prevention Specialist, CherishedLA
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR ~ BETSY LATIN
Betsy came to us as an intern student from CSU Bakersfield where she is getting a BA in Criminal Justice. She applied to become an intern with Cherished and right away we could see she was a great fit for our team! Having seen her potential, we asked if she wanted to join the Cherished staff and we are so happy she said yes! In addition to administrative tasks in the office, she helps the women to meet practical goals through case management and independent studies. Betsy is also bilingual which we really appreciate and has been a great asset!
Betsy Latin, Office Administrator, CherishedLA
We are taking calls everyday from women who are trapped in exploitation and desperately seeking a way out! Right now Cherished is in need of increasing our monthly support funds by $6,000 more a month.
As long as you and I commit to fight this epidemic together, women can be saved! Please continue to send your support so we can keep up the work of being truth bearers and seeing lives restored!
You can give today to help fight Human Trafficking by going to cherishedla.org/donate
Stay tuned for more BIG news coming soon!
Sincerely, The Cherished Team