We were lucky to catch up with Christine Mann recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Christine, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I believe our purpose can be tied to something from our past, maybe something painful we experienced or a trial we have experienced. Whatever it may be, these experiences shape us into who we are. As a child, I suppose several incidents shaped me for good and bad. One brought me to where I am today, serving as the Executive Director at Refuge for Women. For many years, I served as Women’s Pastor at New Life Church here in Denton, and at one of our events, I invited someone to share with our women about sex trafficking and exploitation. As this woman was sharing, I was taken back to an incident when I was just a child. What I had thought was just a painful memory of almost an assault was a very close call to me becoming a victim of a violent crime and possibly even human trafficking. Around the same time that I was becoming more aware of the reality of trafficking, my husband was invited to a breakfast to hear the horrific story of a trafficking survivor and the reality of sex trafficking in our area. He came home visibly shaken and determined to get involved in the solution. Since that time, he and I have been committed to the fight against human trafficking through financial support and volunteerism. I went on staff with Refuge for Women in January 2020 and was recently promoted to Executive Director.
I have learned so much from the survivors at Refuge for Women. Although my story differs from theirs, we all share this reality: Each woman who walks through our doors faces similar questions, “Where did you come from, and where are you going?” Each one must answer this question and sometimes remind themselves over and over that the destination is far greater than going back to where they have come from.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was recently promoted to Executive Director for Refuge for Women, but I have supported this organization since its inception in North Texas in 2015. Before my promotion, I served as the Community Engagement Coordinator for four years. I am grateful for the opportunity to share with everyone about Refuge for Women and the organization’s efforts to fight against sex trafficking and restore the lives of women across the United States.
Refuge for Women is a non-profit, faith-based organization providing specialized long-term care for women who have escaped sex trafficking or sexual exploitation. With multiple locations across the U.S., Refuge for Women offers up to twelve months of safe housing and transitional care and support at no charge to the resident, with around-the-clock care as clients progress through evidence-based, trauma-informed programming. The compassionate staff is trained to help residents work through the program to reclaim their identities and reach their goals to overcome addictions, heal from trauma, and develop life skills leading to healthy, balanced living and financial independence. Refuge for Women strives to help each woman complete the program with a vision for her future, equipped to succeed and sustain a life marked with dignity and hope.
We are excited to announce that, thanks to a generous benefactor, we are breaking ground on a desperately needed Emergency House in North Texas, providing a home for women needing immediate placement. Until this house is open, there are very few beds in our area where women can go for immediate assistance when finding freedom from the sex trade. Refuge for Women is the solution! The Emergency House will offer crisis stabilization for up to 90 days and provide case management services to support women on their healing journey. We are currently working on platting with the county, and our builder has already met with Oncor and the well water company to begin planning for power and water. With dirt work expected to begin in just three weeks, we are on our way to creating something truly amazing.
Survivor Made
We have a social enterprise called Survivor Made, where we employ our residents as they progress through our long-term program. This critical piece of our program experience helps eliminate barriers to employment by creating jobs and income for our residents. Gaining employment skills and earning income are key elements for becoming financially stable and self-sufficient when transitioning from a long-term residential program to successful independent living.
Our artisan, hand-crafted leather products are stylish, high-quality, and change lives one sale at a time.
Products include: Totes, Commuter Bags, Journals, Earrings, Scripture Bracelets, Coasters, Key Chains, Cross Body Bags, Mens Wallets, Car Scents
Upcoming Event:
Our annual gala, “Advance 2024” is one of the most important fundraising and awareness events of the years. This year, it will be held on Thursday, April 11th, at 6:30 pm at Embassy Suites in Denton.
There, you will hear firsthand how you can make a valuable, life-changing impact by providing sustaining emergency funds needed to help victims in North Texas!
Our keynote speaker this year is Kathy Givens, a wife, mother, author, writer, and advocate who has overcome sex trafficking. Kathy’s goal in partnering with Refuge for Women is to increase human trafficking awareness, fight for those experiencing trafficking, and use her voice and expertise to inspire others to join the fight against such a horrible atrocity.
You will hear Kathy’s story and the inspiring stories of our Refuge for Women survivors. Because of you, partnerships with people like Kathy are possible. We are truly grateful! Your involvement is helping our residents find hope and inspiration from those paving the way out of darkness.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Knowing how valuable we are is foundational to achieving whatever we set our minds to. My goal in life was to instill this intrinsic belief in my children, and I pray this is the DNA of Refuge for Women. We all must know how valuable we are to God, one another, and ourselves. Second, in this life, not much can be accomplished without perseverance. We face so many obstacles and trials of all kinds. But perseverance is the ability to fight even under difficult circumstances. This past year, I fought through painful physical challenges, including brain surgery and radiation. Without perseverance, I would have crumbled. I set my eyes on the finish line and kept my eyes on the prize. Lastly and most importantly, faith. Without faith, nothing is possible. Without faith, one cannot see their value or worth, and faith gives us the strength to persevere. Faith is the bridge that takes us to the other side in times of failure, sickness, self-doubt, fear, or sorrow. Faith is the trust and assurance that God will fulfill his promises to us.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Sponsors are an integral part of the success of our event. As a sponsor, you will receive special benefits, including premier seating at the dinner, your company logo in our program, advertisement on our social media platforms, stage time promoting your business, and more! To find out how you can become a sponsor: https://refugeforwomen.org/north-texas/
Volunteers are always welcome at Refuge for Women! The Welcome to Refuge Volunteer Orientation will provide you with an opportunity to learn about our ministry, our values, and how we provide care to survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation. Expect the training session to last for ~1.5 hours, during which we will provide all the pertinent materials and literature. To find out more, https://refugeforwomen.org/serve/
Donate: When you donate to Refuge for Women North Texas, you make a significant difference in the life of a woman in need.
Your contribution gives a woman a second chance at life and empowers freedom. Remember, even ONE person can make a difference, and every dollar has the power to transform a life.
$100 puts gas in our vehicle for ONE month, helping us transport our residents to their appointments
$250 provides ONE month of books and curriculum for our residents
$500 replenishes our food pantry ONE month
$3,000 provides ONE resident safe housing and housing expenses for ONE month
$4,400 provides ONE week of 24-hour staffing at our long-term home.
Partner with Refuge for Women North Texas today and provide a place of escape, safety, hope, healing, and restoration for women who have escaped sex trafficking or sexual exploitation. https://refugeforwomen.org/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://refugeforwomen.org/north-texas/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refugeforwomen_ntx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RefugeforWomenNorthTexas
Image Credits
Refuge for Women
