A Thank You for the Unforgettable 2nd Annual Backpack Giveaway and BBQ
As we look back with fondness and warmth on the 2nd Annual Backpack Giveaway and BBQ, our hearts swell with gratitude. The day was much more than a celebration with succulent BBQ and harmonious melodies; it was a day where we interlaced resilience and camaraderie into our collective journey.
As we look back with fondness and warmth on the 2nd Annual Backpack Giveaway and BBQ, our hearts swell with gratitude. The day was much more than a celebration with succulent BBQ and harmonious melodies; it was a day where we interlaced resilience and camaraderie into our collective journey.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to:
Your generosity in providing backpacks and nourishment for the event was a testament to the power of united efforts and heartfelt giving.
To every individual who graced us with their presence, you brought more than just the tangible gifts of backpacks, writing tools, and educational materials. You brought the intangible yet immeasurable gift of hope, reinforcing belief in the innate potential of survivors and the bright futures ahead for them and their children as they step forward courageously into their educational journeys.
To all the cherished participants, know that your presence was a beacon of light, uplifting hearts and solidifying our commitment to a collective path of growth, healing, and empowerment. To those who lovingly prepared the meals, your effort resonated as a symphony of kindness, providing sustenance that went beyond the physical, touching the very essence of our spirits.
Each donation gleamed with the promise of endless opportunities, assuring that you've contributed to lighting the way for a child's pursuit of knowledge and personal success.
In unity, we achieved so much more than sharing a meal or supplying essentials for the school year. We reinforced a sacred pledge—a pledge that every survivor in our midst is embraced by the warmth of an understanding community, emboldened by the transformative power of education, and supported in their belief of a future that glows with endless possibilities.
We are forever grateful for your solidarity, love, and unwavering support. Together, we are crafting a world where survivors can not only reclaim their narrative but thrive within it.
The Green River Victims Memorial Exhibit at Slip Gallery
This exhibit will be on display from June 11th through July 6th (Thursdays through Saturdays from 1-6pm).
At : Slip Gallery: 2301 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
This exhibit was on display from June 11th through July 5th 2024.
At : Slip Gallery: 2301 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
OPS formed the Green River Victims Memorial, a series of tiles created by survivors in dedication to those who lost their lives.
As part of this living memorial, artist Maggie Smith has been working alongside CSE survivors in art workshops hosted by Seattle OPS. Survivors use ceramic sculpture and tiles to capture their unique perspectives and experiences in ongoing sessions that have taken place since October 2017.
The Art Workshops themselves are a critical aspect of the Living Memorial, as they continue to offer a safe haven for survivors to unleash their creativity and express their stories in bold and innovative ways, reinforcing OPS's commitment to healing, recovery, and empowerment.
About the tiles:
OPS is raising public awareness about changing the narrative when it comes to survivors of CSE and to create a living memorial.
To achieve this, we are excited to announce our upcoming traveling exhibition featuring 100 exquisite ceramic tiles created by CSE survivors in OPS workshops.
Each glazed tile, carefully crafted, serves as a powerful expression of the individual artist's response to the horrific serial killings.
In this extraordinary exhibit, you will encounter tiles that honor and commemorate the lives of individual victims, paying tribute to their untold stories.
Others delve deep into highly personal iconography exploring the issue of this violence, shedding light on the pain and healing. Amongst these creations, you will also find tiles that exude love, hope, and an unwavering spirit of resilience.
Seattle OPS and Aurora Commons Community Health Fair & BBQ 2024 Event
In reflecting on the Seattle OPS and Aurora Commons Community Health Fair & BBQ 2024 Event, our hearts overflow with gratitude for each person who contributed and participated in this meaningful gathering.
We sincerely hope that your time at the event was not only enjoyable but also deeply enriching:
✨ Savoring Delicious BBQ: Delighting in a range of flavorful and wholesome dishes that nourished both body and soul!
✨ Accessing DSHS Mobile Van Services: Engaging with crucial resources to enhance your overall well-being, ranging from applications to renewals and updates.
✨ Connecting with On-site Nurses: Engaging in compassionate dialogues with skilled nurses who offered essential health consultations and invaluable guidance.
✨ Receiving Free Health Kits: Obtaining vital health essentials like Band-Aids, hand sanitizers, and first aid supplies, ensuring immediate well-being and safety.
✨ Empowering Resources: Equipping yourselves with informative materials and resources on topics such as COVID-19, sexual health, and wound care, fostering empowerment and knowledge.
✨ Availability of HIV At-home Test Kits and COVID-19 Test Kits: Stay tuned for updates on future health-related events and opportunities!
Your presence and solidarity embodied the unwavering spirit of resilience, hope, and support that defines our OPS community. Together, we stand united in our mission to eradicate gender-based violence, uplift survivors, and cultivate pathways to healing and recovery.
We extend our deepest gratitude for your steadfast dedication and invaluable contributions to our vibrant community. Anticipate more empowering experiences and collaborative ventures with us as we forge ahead in creating a world of healing, empowerment, and unity.
OPS Pop-Up Shop May 2024
Gratitude abounds for all who helped make our OPS Op-Up Shop event a success. We were able to provide clothing and support to between 55 and 60 survivors and their families, witnessing the healing power of comfort and empowerment.
A heartfelt thank you to the Burien Police Department for joining us and offering their unwavering support. Their presence not only affirmed the significance of our mission but also showcased a dedication to collaborative, positive change.
Their interest in partnering with us for training speaks volumes about the impact we are creating and the narrative we are reshaping. This is how we shift the narrative. This is how we demonstrate to survivors that there is support out here. This is how we drive tangible change.
OPS is not solely about providing assistance; it's about igniting transformative change and healing, for those we serve and for ourselves.
Thank you all again as this event was a powerful testament to the healing capacity of community and solidarity.
Authentic Resilience: Unveiling Survivor Stories with Sarah Ann from the Seattle Organization of Prostitution Survivors
In this episode of "All the Way Authentic," host Kevin P. Henry engages in a powerful conversation with Sarah Ann, a survivor of trafficking and a dedicated advocate. SarahAnn shares her journey of overcoming adversity, shedding light on the challenges she faced as a survivor and her role as a CSE (Commercial Sexual Exploitation) survivor advocate and program coordinator at the Seattle Organization of Prostitution Survivors.
In this episode of "All the Way Authentic," host Kevin P. Henry engages in a powerful conversation with Sarah Ann, a survivor of trafficking and a dedicated advocate. Sarah shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, shedding light on the challenges she faced as a survivor and her role as a CSE (Commercial Sexual Exploitation) survivor advocate and program coordinator at the Seattle Organization of Prostitution Survivors.
Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as Sarah opens up about her resilience, breaking through the shadows of abuse, and emerging stronger than ever. She takes us on a journey of transformation, from the darkness of disbelief within her own family to the triumphant reconstruction of her relationship with her mom.
Join the conversation as Sarah Ann spills the beans on the power of healing, the impact of trauma, and the magic that happens when survivors reclaim their voices. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into the incredible spoken word that'll leave you in awe of the strength and courage found within every survivor.
Discover the groundbreaking work happening at the Seattle Organization of Prostitution Survivors and why survivor advocates like Sarah Ann are the unsung heroes in the battle against exploitation.
This episode is not just a conversation; it's a celebration of resilience, a symphony of triumph, and a reminder that, yes, healing is not only possible but extraordinary! Don't miss out on the empowering moments that will leave you inspired to embrace authenticity, break down stigmas, and stand tall in the face of adversity.
OPS on KIRO7
Nearly 100 people attended Together We Rise, a 3-hour sex trafficking awareness event on January 28 at Black Coffee Northwest in Shoreline. The event featured speakers, including new OPS Executive Director Rekina Perry and Black Coffee co-owner Darnesha Weary
INTERVIEW WITH REBEKAH FONDEN, OPS BOARD PRESIDENT
Nearly 100 people attended Together We Rise, a 3-hour sex trafficking awareness event on January 28 at Black Coffee Northwest in Shoreline. The event featured speakers, including new OPS Executive Director Rekina Perry and Black Coffee co-owner Darnesha Weary. In addition, there was a legal Trafficking 101 presentation, inspirational poetry, and testimonials from survivors.
Together We Rise Celebration
January 28 at 5pm
Black Coffee NW
16743 Aurora Ave N
Shoreline, WA
Register
Please join us to celebrate our new Executive Director Rekina Perry, learn more about our work, and raise awareness to human trafficking
Featuring:
Food & Drinks
Performances
Silent Auction by OPS Artists
Speakers and Presentations
New Leadership at OPS
In early 2023, Rekina Perry will be taking over as Executive Director at OPS!
Rekina has been part of the OPS community for years, and there could not be a more perfect next step for this organization.
We’ll be holding an event (date TBA) to celebrate Rekina and OPS, and will share much more information then. In the meantime, Rekina has shared a little about her vision and priorities for OPS.
This includes increasing support for staff, promoting equitable and livable wages, and providing structure amid the transitions. “If the people who are doing this work are not taken care of, it trickles down to the survivors we serve. And we want to support the survivors the most, that’s paramount,” Rekina said, addressing the impact that wellness among staff has on the work we do.
Rekina is also interested in raising awareness about OPS, stating, “A lot of people need to know there is an organization like OPS. We’re one of a kind, honestly.” Rekina shared the impact OPS had on her and how the women who worked with her, including some current staff, were a huge part of her own journey. She sees this in the way OPS as a community supports survivors, stating, “We ride with these women no matter what.”
One important aspect of OPS that Rekina wanted to highlight is its goal to meet people where they are at. “The one thing I love about this program is we help people wherever they are,” Rekina said. “They have the compass, right, they let us know where they are and what they need help with.” This nonjudgmental approach to service delivery is one Rekina wants to use to run OPS as well. She argues that unconditional love and a safe, judgement-free space allows us to improve ourselves and strengthen community. “The things that are uncomfortable help us grow and really help us expand our perception of good, bad — of the judgments that we made.”
Please join us in welcoming Rekina to her new role!
Statement on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization Decision
Written by Rekina Perry
The Organization for Prostitution Survivor’s mission is to accompany survivors of prostitution in creating and sustaining efforts to heal from, and end, the practice of gender-based violence. OPS is survivor-founded, survivor-led, staffed predominately by survivors, and we elevate survivors in all we do.
In response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, OPS and its staff feel it is imperative to state our position, and plan to respond to this unsettling and distressing decision. We firmly believe that all survivors have a right to safety, autonomy, economic security, and full agency. Safety requires economic security and this requires undoing racialized harm. We stand on our beliefs that all women should have access to care and resources that relate to their overall wellbeing, and we at OPS will continue to provide resources to populations impacted by this decision. With regard to racialized injustices and marginalized populations, we realize that this group is a majority of whom we serve.
We believe that the decision to end the right to access abortion is an attack on women and an attempt to seek and capitalize on systems that promote power and control, which is rooted in gender-based violence. The consequences stemming from the overturning of Roe v. Wade will be markedly grave. In response, we at OPS are willing to be creative in the catalyzation of solutions and will continue to stand in solidarity with survivors during the times ahead.
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Overturning Roe v. Wade will negatively impact women’s safety, autonomy, economic security, full agency, and will disproportionately impact BIPOC women, CSE survivors, survivors of all violence against women and gender-based violence, and those who hold other intersecting and overlapping marginalized identities. We are working to create a response to the anticipated influx of calls from out-of-state survivors seeking abortions. We also know that this decision will put a strain on our healthcare systems, and survivors will need additional information, support, resources, and accompaniment to navigate birth control, abortion, and other reproductive health practices. We will continue to incorporate these important supports into our services.
Please follow us, stay informed, and if you would like to take action click here to give to OPS.
“Coyote”
Written By Martha Linehan
Coyote
A coyote came right up onto our deck the other night
It was a sign of luck and fair warning
We try to keep the cats in after dark but they slip out just to take it all in
We don’t leave food around for the wildlife anymore
Hunger is power
Outrage is a gift
The price we all pay for the killing
The invasive procedures
The illegal abortions
The Black Codes
The guns
The blood
The catcalls
The gentrification
The lynchings
The apathy
All of it
Outrage is a gift
There are many ways to do battle
MML
5/30/22, 6/12/22, 6/24/2022
Raven Talk, QAWQS: Art, Healing, & Transformation AT OPS
June 18, 2022 at 2pm
Register here
Join OPS staff and Raven Chronicles Press for this conversation about the role art plays at OPS. Nykki Canete will lead a discussion with other OPS staff, Martha Linehan, Rekina Perry, SarahAnn Hamilton, and Searetha Simons, on, among other topics, the art workshop and how art is used in their programming to facilitate healing and transformation for survivors.
Noel Gomez on “All the Way Authentic” Podcast
OPS founder and staff member Noel Gomez talks with OPS board member Kevin P. Henry in his podcast “All the Way Authentic.” Noel discusses commercial sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, preventing the exploitation of youth, ways to support survivors as they leave the life, and the book she is writing.
Below is a description from the show:
Noel Gomez knows from experience the danger and emotional trauma of being a victim of Human Trafficking. Today, she stands tall as a survivor and has spent years helping youth and women who have gotten out of "The Life." Noel is the co-founder of the Organization of Prostitution Survivors in Seattle, Washington. She talks candidly about the signs that someone is being trafficked and shares her wisdom on how to help survivors re-adjust and acclimate to a new life in society after they escape their trafficker.
Noel has unmatched knowledge and expertise around supporting commercially sexually exploited women, and especially understanding and responding to the needs of girls and other youth. In this episode she weaves her brilliant insight into these issue alongside her own experiences and history.
After you listen, be sure to check out the King County CSEC Task Force Podcast episodes that feature other OPS staff and partners, including advocates Chelsea Olsen and SarahAnn Harris Hamilton.
“The Shadow Girls” Podcast
OPS staff, including our founder Noel Gomez along with Doris Beamon and Martha Linehan, are featured throughout a new podcast about the women victimized by the Green River Killer.
Amid all of the media about the Green River Killer, it is so important to remember the women who were killed, know their names, understand them as individuals, and work to ensure similar acts of violence do not continue. We need to keep centering survivors and those who support them in these discussions and honor that they are experts in these issues.
Here is a description from the podcast producers:
Secretly, the Green River Killer case haunted Carolyn Ossorio’s childhood and adolescence…growing up near Gary Ridgway's hunting grounds, where he preyed on vulnerable teens and young women, strangling them, stripping their bodies of all earthly possessions and leaving them in the river and green spaces. 49 victims...and yet the first name most think of is, Gary Ridgway. As a little girl, Carolyn never forgot how his victims were portrayed as "bad girls." The message was clear: that's what would happen to you if you were a bad girl. Decades later, during the Covid lockdown, Carolyn embarked on a deep dive into the nearly 20-year investigation, that journey would uncover never heard before audio, a long buried secret of her own and the hard truth: that bad things still happen to girls…whether they are good or bad has nothing to do with it.
You can listen to episodes as they are released here.
Please note that this podcast discusses explicit acts of violence against women and could be uncomfortable, upsetting, or triggering to survivors and other listeners. Below are some resources for support and self-care:
King County Crisis Connections (211 or 866-427-4747)
KCSARC Guide to Responding to Stress for Sexual Assault Survivors
”7 Tools for Managing Traumatic Stress” from NAMI
Call us (206-853-6243) to speak with an advocate
OPS formed the Green River Victims Memorial, a series of tiles created by survivors in dedication to those who lost their lives. A selection of these tiles is on view at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work.
Tiles by NM, Doris Beamon, Searetha Simons, and MW
“To the Survivor it May Concern”
Written By SarahAnn Harris Hamilton
To the Survivor it may concern:
I would bet my last dollar that you are reading this with a heavy heart. A heavy heart that not many would ever understand. A heavy heart only another survivor would know about.
I know that misfortune all to well. I had a love affair with that misfortune, held hands and kicked cans with that misfortune. That is why I am composing this letter with magic ink on pages of opportunity.
This is my love letter to you. A love letter filled with the things I wish someone would have told me.
Documented truth about what the “game” really is. The lies it tells you. A list of the silly rules some monster with a pinky ring whispered in your ear.
I strongly believe that this information should be printed on paper, bond in a pink book. Then it should be placed in the motel that rents by the hour or the 4-star hotel. It should be kept in the nightstand right alongside the bible.
Survivor written versus that will be passed on to whomever needs to hear them. Tales filled with hope and endless joy. Powerful, meaningful words.
Words like you Matter.
Money is nothing but dirty paper.
You are Mighty.
You are the bravest soul I know.
You are much more than your War stories.
Love cost nothing
You will fit in a square world.
Written testimonies of escape and families being restored.
A special book written just for you.
To the survivor that is reading this right now.
Telling tales of triumph.
You are a happy ending.
Chicken Soup for the survivor soul.
Your who saves the day, the hero.
You are the reason why stories are told.
Your story will unlock something in someone who is trapped in the trap.
Your story will remind someone of their worth.
We are the greatest story ever told, the only story worth hearing.
You are pretty pages and lovely letters.
You are worth reading.
Sincerely the Survivor who wrote this
SarahAnn H.Hamilton
Survivor Advocate / Survivor / Artist