Not every week do I get to spend time directly with our clients. As the Regional Director, much of my focus is on managing operations and ensuring every moving part works. That’s why I cherish the moments when I can hear the powerful stories from our advocates and youth care coaches at The Reagan—those who are on the front lines every day.
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting The Reagan, our home for girls who have been trafficked. It was a joy to simply be present with them, laying down for a moment some of the hard problems of the day and experiencing the small, meaningful moments that remind us why we do this work.
Watching a young girl bake cookies or play a game with her advocate brings such light and hope in contrast to the heavy stories of trauma that brought them into our care.
Seeing joy on a girl’s face is nothing short of inspiring—a joy that, most of the time, utterly dumbfounds me. Their resilience and ability to find happiness, even in the hardest of circumstances, is nothing short of extraordinary.
This week, that joy came from an unexpected source—our family’s big, goofy Bernedoodle puppy, Binny. I had heard that one of our residents was longing to pet a dog, so I decided to bring him along.
Binny didn’t disappoint. His silly personality and human-like expressions won over everyone at first glance. Watching the girls light up as they petted his soft fur and cuddled with him was a moment of pure delight. It was a simple reminder of the healing power of connection—even through the unconditional love of a dog.
That day, we all felt the weight of the world lifted, if only briefly, by the warmth and joy Binny brought. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do this work and why your support matters so much. You help make these simple, restorative moments possible, and for that, we are deeply grateful.