Community Corner
Redefining Refuge's Dream of Home for Trafficked Children is Now Reality
Redefining Refuge will soon open Tampa Bay's first home for rescued sexually trafficked children.
Trafficking Hope’s website reports there are 100,000 to 300,000 sexually trafficked children in the U.S. and less than 100 beds available in safe houses nationwide.
Patch’s focused on the seedy underbelly of Tampa Bay with the largest rates of sexual human trafficking in the nation and one woman’s plight to open a home for its rescued children.
Today, our focus is on a celebration.
Find out what's happening in Carrollwood-Northdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After five months and with the help of West Florida Wholesale Properties, more beds will soon be available.
Redefining Refuge’s founder, Natasha Nascimento’s dream of opening a safe home for trafficked youth is about to become reality.
Find out what's happening in Carrollwood-Northdalefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We are providing the home free for the first six months and after the first six months, they’d pay a nominal fee for rent, giving them some time to gain some traction,” explained Kenneth Stillwell, West Florida Wholesale Properties.
On Thursday, June 28, friends and colleagues gathered for a party at Chart House, 7617 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway.
The guest list read like a who’s who of businesses and nonprofits making a difference in the community.
West Florida Wholesale Properties, , , , Victims2Survivors, Miracles Outreach Community Center were among the guests that helped Nascimento celebrate this huge victory.
Connie Rose of Victims2Survivors said ”It takes someone with the drive, determination, the fortitude, the dream of ‘I will build it, they will come’ – this is Natasha. It is an honor to not only know Natasha, but work side by side with her to make this dream happen.”
Rose further stated that in the state of Florida there are no long-term homes for the girls that are taken off the streets and this will be the first of its kind.
Nascimento gave a speech to her guests and concluded with, “If you are in this room, you are helping create history. This is the first home that will be in the Bay area that is specifically designed for these kids. We hope that the program works and we can replicate it over and over again.”
To donate, volunteer or to learn more about Redefining Refuge, visit www.redefiningrefuge.org or search Redefining Refuge on Facebook.