Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
She came through the door with twigs in her hair. She had been “working” all night; required to sell herself to the highest bidder on Independence Avenue. And now, she was safe. She was loved. She was at Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery.
Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recovery is a faith-based non-profit organization operating in the heart of the human trafficking nexus of Kansas City: Independence Avenue. They were founded in 2020 with the ultimate mission of entirely eradicating human trafficking.
Underwriting for this feature was provided by the Horn Law Foundation.
Unfortunately, the state of Missouri, due to its central location and immense interstate system is the 4th most trafficked area in the country.
Several days a week, they operate a drop-in center where human trafficking victims can come in, have a cup of coffee, sit at a table, receive a hot meal, take a ten-minute hot shower, and once a week get a new-to-them outfit. As they are homeless, many will sleep in the oversized chairs until the center closes, and they are back on the street again.
At the Drop-In location, women seek rest and hope. Courtesy photo.
Support: Stephanie Wiley Relentless Pursuit Outreach and Recover’s Executive Director is grateful for the support they receive from small groups and churches. “We’re always looking for churches that would be willing to monetarily support what we’re doing or to hold clothing drives for us. Items that we always need are underwear (bras and panties) and socks.”
Service: For small groups or churches looking for a way to serve, they are always looking for meals to serve the women. There is no kitchen at the drop-in center, so food needs to come already prepared, and plates and utensils are provided. Your small group would need to provide food for around fifty women. Volunteers can also come and serve the food and sort clothing items.
Sponsorship: Relentless Pursuit hosts an annual Golf Tournament and there’s still time for you and your group to have a team. Go to www.relentlesspursuit.org/golf for registration information.
On April 11, the organization will hold their “Hope in Bloom “B.A.S.H. (Bringing Awareness, Sharing Hope). You’ll hear testimonies, plans for the future, a live auction, and enjoy dinner and dancing. The event is at Bourgmont Windery in Bucyrus, Kan., from 6 pm to 10 pm. Stephanie says the evening is rooted in two fundamental principles: raising awareness and providing hope to survivors of human and sex trafficking.
Future: Relentless Pursuit wants to expand the services it offers to human trafficking victims. They are raising funds to open up the first emergency shelter for human trafficking victims in the state of Missouri. The facility will be located next to the drop-in center and will have beds for short-term (90-day) housing and beds that will be reserved for law enforcement officers to use. (When they find someone in an emergent situation, they can bring them to spend the night) Case managers will work with the women wanting to leave “the life” as they call it and provide them with resources and life skills classes.
Metro Voice Challenge: For just $25, you can change a victim’s life. $25 will help a victim get a copy of their social security card, and driver’s license or state ID. (This are the first items a trafficker takes from the victims saying it is for “safe keeping”.) To provide that first step of freedom, click here to donate: Support Trafficking Survivors.
Congrats: As the featured Mission of the Month, Relentless Pursuit will receive a $50 gift card to Blessings Abound, Kansas City’s premier thrift store committed to giving its proceeds back to the community.
–Anne B. Rauth | Special to Metro Voice
Underwriting for this feature was provided by the Horn Law Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to both support and highlight Kansas City non-profit organizations that provide services to individuals and families who are facing a crisis.
Want to help underwrite features appearing in the Metro Voice and partner in our work supporting the local community? Contact me at dwight @ metrovoicenews.com or call 816-524-4522.
