Faces of Hope

Healing from trauma is not a linear process; it often involves ups and downs, progress, and setbacks. Some days you might feel strong and resilient, while other days you might encounter triggers that bring old wounds to the surface. Don't get discouraged by these fluctuations. Each step, no matter how small, is a part of your overall growth and healing. Be patient and kind to yourself!

Support local survivors by picking up a cute new clothing item or accessory! Join us tomorrow at The Village at Meridian's Evereve across from Royal Coffee for sips, snacks, and shopping any time from 2-8 pm. 15% of proceeds benefit Faces of Hope. Some of the brands they carry: 7 For All Mankind, Birkenstock, Bombas, Dolce Vita, Good American, Kenneth Cole, Marc Fisher, New Balance, Rag and Bone, Sam Edelman, UGG, and Vince Camuto.

It’s not cute or romantic, even if you were once in a serious relationship. Stalking behavior can escalate into physical violence very quickly. Please reach out for a safety plan and legal advice, and document every interaction as best as you can.

This National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, we can all do our part to suspend our judgment and avoid the "why" questions. Even if they are not physically prevented from leaving, the manipulation tactics, threats, and false sense of security often prevent victims of trafficking from leaving. Trafficking numbers are vastly underreported because most victims would not self-identify as someone being trafficked. According to a Polaris study in 2019, 32% of survivors who chose to disclose this information stated that their trafficker was an intimate partner. Victims of trafficking routinely interact with people who are in a position to provide assistance. Your ability to identify potential victims and connect them to victim services, like Faces of Hope, can be what they need to get out. Their full engagement with services helps lower the chances of them from returning to their trafficker.

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, April 11! Make plans to join us at this inspiring and uplifting dinner. Better yet, grab three friends and purchase a four-pack of tickets - $100 off! Katrina Brownlee's life story is a powerful reminder that it's possible to overcome unimaginable challenges with the right support at the right time. She is a true face of COURAGE, and we can't wait for her experience to fill you with hope. ✨ Get your tickets today: https://lnkd.in/gi-btyxE

People struggling in their relationships often tell us "When it's good, it's really good. But when it's bad, it's really bad." This cycle is a recurring pattern that characterizes abusive relationships. It typically involves a continuous cycle of tension building, explosive incidents, and a period of reconciliation and calm. The first phase is marked by a sense of walking on eggshells. This sets the stage for the second phase, when the explosive incident reaches its peak. This phase is often unpredictable and can result in serious harm to the victim. The third phase is characterized by a time of apologies and/or gaslighting. During this time, the abuser may promise to change. This phase can create a false sense of hope for the victim, leading them to believe that the abusive behavior is over. The fourth phase may include acts of kindness, love bombing, and lots of affection while the abuser woos the victim once again. Breaking free from the cycle of abuse is challenging and often requires external support. Victims may struggle with fear, dependency, and manipulation. Please reach out to us if you need help! www.facesofhopeidaho.org

Stalking someone is not romantic, even if you were once in a serious relationship, and it's not okay. Here are some safety strategies we can all keep in mind: -Do not post your location on social media, even if you have your accounts set to private. Wait to post until you have returned. You might be surprised how little details in the background of your photos allow people to pinpoint your exact location. Refrain from posting that you frequent a particular coffee shop every Thursday, for example. -Vary the route you take to work, to school, the gym, groceries, etc. -Use the buddy system when you're traveling somewhere new or develop a code word with trusted family and friends that means you're in danger. -Take threats seriously. Screenshot or document your interactions so you have a record in case they escalate and you need to take legal action. If you are struggling with a stalking situation, please come talk to our staff and find out what resources are available to you. January 18 is the 2nd annual National Day of Action for Stalking Awareness - wear yellow or sparkles to support!

Tickets for Faces of Courage on 4/11 are now on sale! 🔗Purchase here: https://ow.ly/mc4G50UAQ5N A survivor of domestic violence, Katrina Brownlee overcame unimaginable challenges after being shot 10 times by her abusive fiancé, a correction officer shielded by his badge. She defied the odds, relearned to walk, exited homelessness, and joined the NYPD to reform the system from within, retiring as one of its highest-ranking detectives. Every ticket helps provide essential crisis services for survivors of abuse in our community. We’re excited to share more about the inspiring evening we have planned! Questions? Interested in sponsorship packages? Want to pay for your tickets via check? Please reach out to Liz at liz@facesofhopeidaho.org or 208-986-4164.

Our executive director Paige Dinger recommends The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhorn for your next read. This historical fiction thriller follows real-life midwife Martha Ballard as she defies the legal system to investigate a murder and rape in 1700s Maine. Some events of the novel are loosely based on a journal she kept. Martha is an advocate for the women of her village and speaks out against injustice, gender oppression, and the culture of shame. Trigger warnings: sexual violence, attempted sexual violence, stillbirth, death of young children. Check it out: https://ow.ly/5Kac50UAyIw

The sensationalized stories of young women being kidnapped by traffickers in public places have circulated the internet for years. This narrative has been amplified by popular movies like "Trade" and "Taken." While trafficking can happen to anyone, the truth is that the majority of trafficking victims are lured into the sex and forced labor industry by people they know and trust, such as parents, partners, neighbors, or family friends, not by strangers. And yes, it is happening here in the Treasure Valley. It takes all of us to work towards a safer world for all.