Forgotten Children Inc

Our mission is to rescue, restore, educate and bring hope to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.  Our vision is to empower and equip individuals, families and communities by breaking the cycle of sexual exploitation through partnerships and community awareness.

A community-based, non-profit organization, Forgotten Children, Inc. (FCI) provides trauma informed after care and extensive support services to victims of human trafficking, sexual exploitation and violence.  Established in 2006, FCI provides prevention, outreach, education, intervention, and aftercare services in three counties in the State of California; Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino. Street teams have been deployed to known prostitution areas such as Harbor Blvd., (Orange County), Figueroua (Los Angeles) and G Street (San Bernardino). Street teams go out twice per month to distribute toiletries and provide support and resources to vulnerable victims. FCI also provides critical human trafficking awareness trainings and workshops to churches, law enforcement, hospital personnel, parents, educators and day care providers. Our mission is to rescue, restore, educate and bring hope to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Since our inception, we have established a safe house in street teams, post release services, and a resource/support center in Lynwood. We have reached more than 10,000 people through our awareness education, outreach and prevention/intervention programs; and provided after-care support and housing to more than 100 women. Our various programs address the economical, emotional and psychological consequences caused by victimizers and those who consume. Our intensive model takes a holistic approach to eliminating the effects human trafficking has on its victims. Our process starts by intuitively outreaching and providing hygienic and educational materials in hotspots known for/or reported as areas where victims are actively “working.” We continue supporting victims as they find their way out of the state of victimization by making information, resource, and supportive services available to all who visit our Drop-in and Resource Center. When victims are personally ready to rebuild their lives, we provide housing at Rachel’s House of Healing with an intensive focus on healing each individual who make it out of the life by preparing them for self-sufficiency within 2 years. We also provide diversion and outreach services for women incarcerated for prostitution and sexual exploitation in local jails through our Road to Freedom program.

In 2023, FCI provided outreach and resources to more than 5,400 human trafficking victims and those at risk of being trafficked in Orange County and Los Angeles County. Due to an increase of sex work in various counties, we have placed posters in the lobby of motels/hotels to identify signs of human trafficking. We have also deployed additional resources and street teams to local known prostitution areas in Anaheim, and Santa Ana. According to the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, 415 human trafficking victims were rescued in Orange County in the past two years, 73 percent of those victims were newly trafficked in either 2017 or 2018. Kelly Galindo, director of human trafficking documentary “26 Seconds,” views Harbor Boulevard as one of the scariest places for human trafficking. The street runs along the borders of Disneyland, which may seem like an unlikely location for prostitution. FCI has launched a 2020 housing initiative to open an emergency shelter in Orange County for victims of human trafficking and those at risk of being trafficked. Our goal over the next couple of years is to increase our capacity to address the growing issue of human trafficking among homeless women by providing trauma informed care and support. In the past year, we strengthened our partnerships in Orange County and surrounding communities. We've also increased awareness education to groups such as Kiwanis of Hunting Beach, and other social groups. We are also developing partnerships with the Central Jail for Women, Orange County Unified School District, to train parents and teachers on how to identify signs of human trafficking, grooming and prostitution.  

Our top five most pressing needs are:
1. Funding to establish an emergency safe house by the fall of 2025.
2. Trained facilitators to expand education classes to underserved communities.
3. Gift cards for our emergency services such as: Target, Walmart, food places. Gift cards should be in increments of $25-$100.
4. Van for our residential home.

FCI currently serves the greater Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino County. We have launched a five-year initiative to expand housing support to underserved communities in and around the Los Angeles and Orange County regions. This initiative will specifically target homeless and high-risk victims 18-older.

Forgotten Children, Inc. (FCI), is a unique organization. Our staff and volunteers are committed to eradicating human trafficking and sexual exploitation.  I've personally watched our entire team go beyond the normal call of duty to ensure a victim is protected and safe. We've had to make hard decisions concerning the mental and emotional state of a victim and we've had to walk alongside of a resident when she had to face her trafficker. The heart of FCI is rooted deep in the love and compassion we have for this work. We understand every girl is unique and should be treated as an individual. We are committed to creating programs and services that will foster healing, growth and restoration.  Human trafficking impacts every community and has the power to destroy an entire family. It is for this reason that I fight. I am committed to fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. I believe change happens when good people stand up and do something.  As the CEO, I will train, educate and challenge churches, community leaders, parents and elected officials to stand up and do something. Together we make the difference. 

My heart was opened to the issue of human trafficking after my trip to South Africa. I had to opportunity to serve in a ministry that rescued women off the streets and out of the hands of traffickers.  When I returned to the states, my initial thought was to return to Africa; however, once I discovered that the same issue of trafficking existed in my own city, I knew I had to so something.  It doesn't seem possible that it has been more than 12 years since we identified a need and began the ministry. I am amazed at our growth and what we have accomplished. We started on a hot summer night 14 years ago, with a table, coffee, water, a hug and prayer. From that humble beginning, God has allowed us to grow our street teams in multiple cities, open drop in centers, offer awareness workshops, provide jail ministry and most excitingly, open a safe house for the victims. This safe house provides an opportunity for healing of mind, body, soul and spirit.Much has taken place since our humble beginnings. We have grown our street teams, allowing us to reach more victims of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation with God's love. My goal is to work with our CEO to build an organization the fights against the darkness of human trafficking.  My mission is to share God's love and plan to every victim I come in contact with. I believe women everywhere need to know they do not have to settle for the lies of pimps, gang bangers and predators. It's time for all us to stand tall and fight this modern day slavery.