Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Victim Shares Her Story

 

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we're hearing from a victim about her efforts to help others. 
Like most human trafficking- there's a building on North avenue is hidden in plain site. 
However inside Nancy Yarbrough welcomes victims with open arms. 
"This is a safe place to talk about how you were able to heal, and if you still need healing, we are here for you," says Yarbrough. 
 With empowerment groups she holds in this room, she not only gives broken women options but her own story of selling her body at truck stops. 
"I was 16 going on 17 he always made me feel as though this is something we can do together. He was my boyfriend, and there was nothing wrong with that," says Yarbrough. 
She's been molested. Never dealt with it. And was vulnerable to manipulation through a need to feel loved and accepted. 
"It affected me for the rest of my life. All of my relationships, I even became a trafficker. Today I feel very purposed. " says Yarbrough. 
Yarbrough just moved into this building, but says in a few years fresh start learning has helped 700 women.
She also gives women on the street purses with toiletries and an encouraging note inside. However, her message to you - is that trafficking can happen to anyone anywhere. 
"We don't want people to get the misconception that because my daughter goes to a private school, because we go to a church, she's part of a youth group. Anywhere there's youth, there's probability," says Yarbrough. 
Yarbrough keeps the place running with her own money and some donations, and she's waiting for grants but says she could use monetary donations. 
Fresh Start Learning could also use other donations like purses or toiletries for the Purposeful Purse Program. 
Yarbrough will be speaking this Thursday from 6-7:30 at Great Lakes Church in Mount Pleasant. 
It's a free event with free childcare. 
Fresh Start Learning is located on 4314 W North Avenue. There is an "I Am A Survivor Women's Group" that will begin February 7th and meet Tuesdays 6:30pm to 8:00pm. 
Youth Groups will happen every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.