I love being able to reach out to the girls in the industry and support them in what they are going through, because I remember what that was like. Trauma from “the life”, “ the industry” is very real!
BUT you’re NOT ALONE, someone does know what it’s like and HOW TO GET OUT.
KATE'S STORY
KATE'S STORY
Kate’s inspiration for founding CherishedLA came from her own broken past. Like many women before her, she left her lead singing gig with a band and came to Hollywood to pursue her dream of breaking into the music business on her own. Within a short time after arriving to LA she was sold and trafficked by a man she believed was a friend. She escaped, but with no others means of survival, she went to work as an Exotic dancer.
A famous Hollywood madam whose clientele were some of Hollywood’s elite club found Kate and persuaded her that by working for this madam she would finally get her big break. Kate agreed, and served her clientele for 2 years. She did meet many celebrities, but the industry was like quick sand and it seemed there was no way out. Discovered in the club dancing, Director Nancy Borgnine hired her to be the opening dancer and choreographer in 2 of her films, and she landed a job as a dancer on television’s Late Night Party Machine at Paramount Studios (thanks to a friend, Jesse Borrego, Fame).
However, the break into the entertainment industry was short-lived. The trauma from the past was too much, and the need to numb this painful lifestyle with drugs thwarted her chances to overcome and have the life she longed for. After multiple arrests for drug possession and car theft, Kate was sentenced to time in a women’s correctional facility. Being incarcerated and becoming clean for the first time in 10 years, Kate was able to see clearly that she had been trapped in a life she did not choose. She conquered her addictions and discovered the love of Christ. She finally found courage to escape the lifestyle she had been afraid to leave. Kate soon met her husband, started a family, and went back to her first career as a cosmetologist, starting a salon. This determination to rise up, and her own experience, has given her the insight needed to reach those involved in human trafficking and the commercial sex industry. She has turned this into a passion to free those still imprisoned in “the life.” Kate’s spiritual conversion forged a deep understanding that she was loved, valued and cherished. These values have guided her work and are infused into the DNA of the organization.
The years in the industry are behind her now, as she recognized that she is called for a purpose and is Cherished by the one true God whose love never fails and transcends it all. Kate started Cherished to tell women that they too are His Cherished daughters, and nothing can separate them from Him. Kate has spent 5 years training under the Allender Center, where she was trained in story work. Kate leads Narrative Focused Trauma story workshops with survivors of all ages to help them heal from the trauma of exploitation. Kate is passionate about working with survivors and helping them discover their purpose. This fuels all that she does. Kate is a full-time speaker, mother, author, trauma counselor. She also serves on the Board of Hope Refuge, a program in Santa Barbara for CSEC (Child survivors of sexual exploitation) where she leads weekly groups.
Past Speaking Engagements
Ayeneh TV with Youth for Human Rights
Voices of Reason in the Valley Interview
Real Life Radio Show - Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3
Cherished in the Media
Prison food sales raise $36,600 to help others
What’s Missing From the Super Bowl/Sex Trafficking Debate
Efforts to Reduce Trafficking at the Super Bowl Highlight Demand
Cherished High Desert to hold annual gala to support human trafficking survivors
Kate’s spiritual conversion forged a DEEP UNDERSTANDING that she is LOVED, VALUED & CHERISHED. These VALUES have guided her work and are infused into the DNA of the organization.
Survivor, Speaker, Advocate, Trainer
BOOK KATE to be a SPEAKER at YOUR EVENT
KATE’S OFFICIAL BIO
Kate is an experienced public speaker, writer, educator, Narrative Focused Trauma Care practitioner and advocate for survivors of human trafficking. Kate can speak 1st hand what it’s like to go from being a Human trafficking and trauma survivor to someone who advocates for women to discover their value and purpose. Kate created Cherished, a residential program with a social enterprise because of her own understanding of the need to begin again. It would be a hug undertaking and mean a safe community, housing, employment training, along with work for trauma healing. As a survivor of 10 years in the commercial sex industry,
A WALK in HER SHOES
Kate has spoken at a variety of conferences, retreats, churches, fundraisers, and meetings of law enforcement. She also created an educational Interactive art exhibit called
‘A Walk In Her Shoes” which has been on display at locations like the Mexican Consulate, The Freedom Ride, The Pasadena Library, Hospitals and Colleges.
PAST ART EXHIBIT LOCATIONS
Ultimately Kate's goal is to inform, equip, and empower audience members about domestic human trafficking to her audience.
To book Kate for your next event, please see our booking form
LISTEN IN
INTERVIEWS
Shameless Life Radio
shameless life radio with kate wedell
Join host Terilee Harrison for Shameless Life Radio every Wednesday at 6 pm EST/3 pm PST. Today Terilee speaks with Kate Wedell of Cherished High Desert. Every episode of Shameless Life Radio is RBI: Real, Brave and Inspiring.