Imagine discovering a world that operates in the shadows of our sunny, bustling Miami streets, a world where exploitation and lost hope are the currency. This is the reality for many caught in the web of human trafficking, but today, we're shedding light on this darkness with our guest, Georgia Downey from Glory House of Miami. Georgia brings us an authentic look into the world of human trafficking and the beacon of hope that the Glory House represents for adult women survivors. With an unwavering dedication, she and her team work tirelessly to rescue, restore, and empower those who have been coerced into a life they never chose. Her stories are not for the faint of heart, yet they are essential to hear for the change they can inspire.
Throughout our conversation, we're taken on a journey of transformation that transcends the physical realm. Georgia's own path to leading Glory House is as compelling as the stories of the women they've aided, marked by resilience and a deep-seated belief in redemption. She opens up about the unique challenges of nurturing souls back to life and the community's role in supporting this mission. The heart of this episode lies in the powerful testimonies of survival, the hard-won battles against the invisible chains of trafficking, and the shared vision of a future where this form of modern-day slavery is abolished, not just in Miami, but across the globe. Join us to grasp the gravity of this issue and witness how faith, hope, and love are rewriting narratives, one life at a time.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Heredes (00:10):
Georgia, thanks for hanging out with us.
Georgia Downey (00:12):
Thank you for having me.
What an honor.
Heredes (00:14):
No, it's our blessing and you've come so highly
recommended in talking to ourfriends, our ministry friends
and nonprofit friends, andthat's what we love, because
when there's that trust andreputation it's so important in
what we do, in the line of workwe do, especially in who you're
serving, who you're rescuing,who you're raising awareness and
funds for.
So we'll start there.
(00:34):
I know our favorite co-host,colin, already introduced us
right now, but tell us a littleabout Glory House of Miami.
Give us a story, a mission.
How did everything start?
Georgia Downey (00:46):
Yeah, thank you so much.
So Glory House of Miami, westarted in 2011.
Our founding board member,maria Vidia.
She had an actual vision fromGod that she was supposed to
start rescuing women who havesurvived sex trafficking, and
she was supposed to call itGlory House and God's glory
(01:07):
would be revealed through it.
And so, yep, they started in2011.
They hired the person I'mtaking over, you know, betty
Laura, who just did, for over 11years, a phenomenal job, and so
what we do, what Glory Housedoes, is we reach, rescue and
(01:30):
restore women who survivors ofhuman trafficking, specifically
sex trafficking.
There's different labortrafficking and everything like
that, but we focus on sextrafficking and these are adult
women, and we focus on it.
In one heart at a time is ourmotto.
Heredes (01:45):
Oh, I love that and you're in Florida and serving
based out of Miami and myunderstanding it's one of the
highest in the world.
The stats, I mean it's scary.
I was looking through the dataon the site.
Tell us a little bit more aboutthe need in Florida.
Georgia Downey (02:01):
Definitely.
Well, I mean globally, and Ithink you know no one can really
get the exact numbers, they'rejust estimates, right, because
this is pure evil that'shappening around the world.
So you know, $150 to $250billion are being made regarding
(02:22):
human trafficking, and thatincludes men, women and children
.
In the United States, inFlorida ranks third, and so
South Miami is a huge Miami initself sorry is a huge hotspot
because of, you know, we're anentertainment city, we have
(02:45):
ports, we have all of these waysto traffic women, and one of
the things that I think a lot ofpeople don't know is that you
know this isn't prostitution.
This is by force, fraud orcoercion.
So this is against a woman'swill and she is forced into this
(03:08):
sexual exploitation.
Heredes (03:10):
And I appreciate you breaking that down, because
there are some misconceptions,there's sometimes even taboo and
, depending what circles you'rein, it's either there's high
awareness and it's talked about,and sometimes it's not.
It's covered up and it's under.
Tell me a little bit more, ifyou can help our listeners
understand.
Georgia Downey (03:27):
Yeah, I think you know we're all humans, we
all operate in the flesh and youknow, when you're looking
around at different nonprofitsand different causes, you know
human trafficking is the darkestof the dark and so we as human
beings, we really don't want togo there, we don't want to learn
(03:49):
, and that's natural andunderstandable.
But the thing that really gripsme is, for example, I was at a
meeting a couple months ago withthe state attorney's office in
Homeland and they had just kindof refigured their maps of the
city over Miami-Dade County, andCoral Gables is now the hotspot
(04:11):
, the highest percentage ofwhere traffickers are focusing
on, and so I think we haveamazing marketing and awareness
with Sound of Freedom andeverything, but I think
everyone's thoughts are okay.
This is like sound of freedomand everything, but I think
everyone's thoughts are okay.
This is happening in a thirdworld country or it's only
(04:31):
happening in, you know, extreme,abject poverty, and it's not,
it's the crime that is happeningin plain sight.
Heredes (04:41):
And for those who don't know, coral Gables, wealthy,
historic neighborhood in thecore of Miami where businesses
and Georgia Howe again curiousand just helping our listeners
understand, be aware, bewatching, be praying.
How do we even know thatinformation, like, if I'm out,
if I'm just average Joe citizen,I'm looking.
(05:02):
How does somebody know this?
Georgia Downey (05:04):
Yeah, so I mean there are signs.
You know, these women are, likeI said, taken under force,
fraud or coercion, so they mightbe offered.
They're vulnerable, you know,and the average age of a child
that turns into a woman thatgets trafficked is around 13
years of age.
So you can imagine if you're ayoung woman, 18 and older, maybe
(05:26):
you broke up with yourboyfriend, you're having a bad
month, you have low self-esteem,maybe you did come from some
type of abusive situation andyou're vulnerable.
And here comes a handsome man ora really cool, pretty woman
that's saying, hey, like you'rebeautiful, like you're wonderful
(05:49):
, like, and giving you all ofthese compliments and raising
your self-esteem and thisgrooming process that happens
can happen for months.
And you think, you know, oh,I'm dating this guy, he's
wonderful.
Or I just met a new friend andwe're going to the pool together
down at the Gables, and thenmonths later, bam, you know,
(06:12):
I've heard horrendous storieswhere you know a woman thought
they were dating somebody andsaid, okay, well, good night,
have a great night.
And he was like you're notgoing anywhere, and that's the
force, that's the force moment,and took her phone, took her,
you know, id and everything, andshe was forced into, you know,
slavery.
Heredes (06:30):
And it's so.
There's a kidnapping of sorts,there's an isolation,
manipulation of for sure, no,and I only highlighting some of
that.
Georgia Downey (06:40):
So sometimes it may be truly under our nose and
you see somebody going throughsomething that seems
relationally basic, but if thewarnings are there, if there are
signs, yes, if they don't makeeye contact with you, if you see
bruises on them, if they don'thave any ID, if they don't have
a phone, if they keep going forpermission to talk to a man or
(07:01):
their boyfriend, like all ofthose.
Obviously we know domesticviolence exists and abusive
situations, but those are somesigns of potential human
trafficking.
And, yeah, we have to be on thelookout because I think what
confuses people is by that pointof time.
So maybe they are walking pastyou at Starbucks.
(07:22):
You might be thinking as awoman, as just a believer, just
run yeah, you know, correct,like run.
But by that time and point,that trafficker has total mind
control over these victims.
Wow.
Heredes (07:38):
Wow.
Georgia Downey (07:59):
Yeah, so many questions.
Georgia, tell me, specificallywith Glory House.
How does Glory House come intothe picture?
How do where women who in thestages of healing if you come
out of human trafficking, you'refirst most likely going to need
to go through detox, becausesome are on drugs and that keeps
them in bondage as well.
(08:19):
There's usually a 90-dayprogram, and then Glory House.
Where our niche is, is thatlong-term restoration and
healing that only Jesus can do.
So we opened our home in 2014.
14 women graduated from theprogram and then, of course, the
(08:40):
hallmark of history that hiteveryone in 2020 was the
pandemic and we ended up.
The board decided to close thehome just because of rent prices
and everything like that.
But in this year, you know,walking into this incredible
leadership opportunity that Ihave, god's really put on our
hearts that man.
(09:00):
We have to get back to theheartbeat of who we are and
reopen our homes.
So we're in process of prayingand looking and getting started
on that.
Heredes (09:09):
Oh, I love that.
I love that we can be a part intalking about this and to our
listeners.
We're going to link all theinformation below on how you can
be a part, learn more and,especially if you're in Florida
or the Southeast, here to be apart and to support.
How did you get involved,georgia?
What's your story in GloryHouse?
How did the paths cross?
Georgia Downey (09:29):
Well, I've known about Glory House for over a
decade.
They've been such a pillar inthe community.
Obviously I've known Betty aswell.
I definitely have.
I don't have this bright andcheery testimony in my own life.
I've always had a heart forwomen and women who have gone
through this type of egregiousabuse and so, yeah, I was
(09:54):
actually serving in a ministryin foster care before this and
it was awesome and incredible.
It's called Explore FosterMiami.
They're still around, they'redoing amazing things and it kind
of got broached out of nowhereLike would you consider being
the executive director?
And in last year and it was all.
(10:15):
God you know I can't really sayoh, I thought of it or they
thought about it, but for me itwas like kind of a dream job,
because it doesn't feel likework.
Heredes (10:25):
I love it.
I love it and I can tell, intalking to you here, your
passion and in this new postpandemic you're sharing.
Earlier, talk to us a littlebit about the challenges of
whether it's real estate,whether it's just housing and
resourcing the programs, becauseit's not a there's a 90-day,
but it's a long-term.
Georgia Downey (10:46):
Up to two years.
Yeah.
Heredes (10:47):
So it's a long-term program that you know the
attention is needed, the care,the physical, the you know to
sustain, to break them.
Tell us more, break that downand what that looks like.
Georgia Downey (10:58):
Definitely so.
One of the things that I admireso much about how we operate is
this idea of, like I said atthe beginning, of one heart at a
time.
So in terms of challenges, ofcourse there's capacity issues.
We want to serve as many womenas we can and in our
(11:25):
non-resident program we serve onaverage 50 to 60 women per
month, which is a good chunk.
But in terms of our actualRedeemed by Love healing program
, right, these women are goingthrough discipleship, spiritual
healing, emotional healing fromthe trauma and of course we're
offering full wraparound, everywraparound service you can think
of, to help them.
But that's all great, but Ithink the thing that just drew
(11:47):
me into Glory House, and stilldoes every single day, and why I
have so much passion for thisjob, is we're interested in
making an eternal impact in thelives of these women, so going
from beauty for ashes, godtaking us and doing this new
thing in their life and changinghearts that only he can do.
(12:09):
And so we have women who havecome into our program and
obviously they have noself-esteem, trust issues, going
through significant trauma andreally we can't take the glory
to watch God really do surgeryon their hearts over time.
And now you know they're happyand living life.
(12:32):
And a nurse now that's one ofthe testimonies is a nurse now
and really, like you know,taking what should have
devastated their life and sayingyou know what.
This is a new beginning for me.
That's, I think, the heartbeatof who we are.
Heredes (12:50):
I love that it's in the name right Georgia, because
that's where God gets all theglory.
Georgia Downey (12:54):
Yeah.
Heredes (12:54):
And that eternal impact .
There are the physical, theimmediate needs, the breaking
from that and the legacy they'releaving now.
Right, you're talking about nowthe confidence, their identity
in Christ.
Now you're shifting them into,whether it's family, starting
out of this and the impact to acity.
I love that.
I love hearing that.
How do, how do the women you'rerescuing hear about you?
(13:20):
Or do you seek them?
What's that?
However, god uses this.
You know.
I'm praying that this getsheard by thousands and that it
gets in the ears and the eyes ofhow do people hear about you?
How do the women who need youhear about you?
Georgia Downey (13:33):
Yeah, so we definitely get you know
referrals locally, nationally,and that happens and that's
wonderful.
We do also street outreach, sowe do go in the streets and our
incredible team is able to spotcertain areas that are high
trafficking areas and we go andminister to them and just say,
(13:55):
hey, if you ever choose bravelyto get out of this, which for
them it's life or death, youknow they're being threatened
every day.
I'll kill you, your family,your, you know your fellow
friends right here, and so forthem it's life or death.
And, yeah, we go out throughstreet outreach and we also have
women call us who are activelybeing trafficked and said you
(14:19):
know, saw us on a website andsaid can you help us?
I mean, that just happened lastweek.
Heredes (14:24):
Wow, yeah, wow.
So can somebody volunteer withGlory House?
Georgia Downey (14:28):
Yes.
So the difference involunteering, there's different
options.
So if you're a church,absolutely there are service
projects you can do.
Obviously, the nature of whatwe do, we have to be
confidential and all of that,but there's definitely, you know
, the church is the answer tothis crisis, for sure, and so
(14:50):
there's lots of opportunity forchurches to serve in various
ways.
If you're an individual, yeah,there's an opportunity to be
like a sister, a buddy, you knowsomebody who's kind of a mentor
, a woman who you know feelscalled to do that.
It's very the cool thing aboutour mentorship program is that
before you actually getconnected to a woman, you
(15:12):
yourself have to go throughhealing.
Wow, because there's going tobe traumas that we have.
We've all been through stuff,right, and we're going to kind
of rub against each other, so weactually our volunteers, get
freedom, you know, when they'reserving.
So there's mentorshipopportunities and a lot of other
ways that you can help.
If you're a business, you canbe a corporate sponsor.
(15:33):
We can do awareness events.
If you're a school like,there's so many ways to get
involved.
Heredes (15:38):
I love it.
You listen to Georgia in.
Gloryhouseofmiamiorg is thewebsite.
We'll put all the links in thenotes and some events.
There's some things coming up.
There's some goals for 2024 andsome events I've seen and have
heard about.
Georgia Downey (15:51):
Yes.
Heredes (15:51):
Tell us a little bit more about some of those other
ways that folks can get involved.
Georgia Downey (15:55):
So perfect.
So thank you.
On May 3rd we're having, kindof, our biggest event of the
year.
It's called our Fashion forFreedom.
We're having a really, reallycool fashion show, casting
vision for 2024.
If you want to purchase aticket and come see us, it's
(16:19):
gloryhouseofmiamiorg, and thenthere are opportunities.
You know, if you might be thatperson that is just like man.
I don't think I have the heartto really be a mentor right now
or, you know, serve in that way.
But honestly, you know, if youwanted to be join our tribe,
which is our monthly givingprogram five dollars a month a
coffee would make an impact withthese women you know, so that's
(16:41):
, that's great.
Heredes (16:43):
See, cause it.
Sometimes we think it's, unlessI have my wealth or my state to
assign to this organization, Ican't.
But you're saying that,starting just at five, it can.
It can help somebody.
That's amazing and we can findall the links on the website.
They can hear okay, Purchasethe tickets to the event as well
.
Georgia Downey (16:59):
Purchase tickets there as well.
Heredes (17:01):
I love hearing that.
I love it.
So tell me about the fashionshow.
Can people volunteer to bemodels?
No, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
Georgia Downey (17:07):
I think we have the models picked out but.
If you're really feeling like.
You know I have to be a model.
Reach out to us.
You know we never know.
Tell him relax.
Heredes (17:14):
We have male models too .
Colin's got a face made forpodcast and for radio and I
think he was a hand model.
I'm kidding, I just loveteasing him.
Missing him today in the studiohere, but you heard from him in
the beginning and the end.
But, georgia, thanks again.
(17:36):
Tell us a little bit more justbefore we wrap up With something
like this.
It's high danger, high risk,sometimes underground, right, so
you feel like you're a specialops team because it's an
underground.
So true, you're dealing.
Those who are trafficking areextremely dangerous evil right.
What gives you the strength andI think we know the answer to
(18:00):
that and how can somebody bepraying specifically and
supporting you remotely?
Georgia Downey (18:05):
Yeah, um, that's a great question, I think.
Um, you know, in Isaiah 61, godcalls us as believers to, um,
you know, raise the dead, setthe captives free.
And so I think everyone whoserves and is a part of the team
at Glory House knows that theyare literally going into the
(18:25):
darkness, into the night, andtrusting that God's with them
and for them and that ultimately, the battle is His.
I know, for me, of course, itcan get heavy and dark and
terrible, the things we hearthat are happening, but I
believe that this is the Lord'sministry and that His eyes are
(18:51):
upon us, and so it's just adaily surrender and trust.
So, prayer we need every day.
If you could pray, that's thegreatest thing you could do for
us.
Honestly Pray for us, pray forthe women we serve, and just
pray for God to open up moredoors of opportunity for us.
Heredes (19:07):
I love that.
I love that.
I love your passion for the organd fairly new to the role.
Yes, taking, betty.
You're not even on the website.
Georgia Downey (19:15):
I know that's one of the things I have to do.
Heredes (19:18):
Okay, cool.
Georgia Downey (19:20):
I haven't been sleeping a lot.
Heredes (19:22):
After yeah, yeah, well, we can help if you need help.
Georgia Downey (19:24):
Yes, okay, we'll get you.
Outro (19:25):
We'll get you, thank you.
Heredes (19:26):
Tell me this.
We'll come back here From aleadership perspective a lot of
our listeners are in thenonprofit space.
They're C-suite leaders orthey're in ministry.
They're executive leaders,pastors leading large churches,
startup churches, you knowchurch plants.
What are some challenges thatmaybe you have and you're
stepping into this role thatthey're not even aware it's
(19:47):
different or, that's, you knowwhat, very similar to what
you're dealing with.
Give us a little glimpse intoyour leadership role.
Georgia Downey (19:53):
That's a great question, I would say, you know,
expect it to be challenging,you know, and expect it to be
amazingly wonderful at the sametime.
But I think the most importantthing that I have to remember
every day is that I and thissounds so Christianese, but I
(20:14):
cannot do this without God.
I have to be fully dependentand abide in Him.
In no way do I think I have theanswer to you know rescuing
these women, but I believe thatif I can depend on Him and lean
on Him every single day, hour byhour, a lot of times, that in
the end we'll be okay.
Heredes (20:38):
I love it.
I love that.
So foundational, but such agreat reminder, right and
sometimes we overcomplicatethings as leaders, yeah, and I
think it shouldn't ever becliche.
It should be the standard andthe norm and our lead and to
lead, yeah, and.
Georgia Downey (20:54):
I would say if somebody is a new leader jumping
into a you know a neworganization, just jump in like
don't shrink back, jump in, leanin strong.
Um, and God's with you.
Heredes (21:08):
I know it's, uh, it's Miami, it's Florida, uh, talk to
us.
Let's dream big here.
Let's talk the next 10 years,next 20 glory house period.
You know us talk about somelong-term goals and dreams.
Georgia Downey (21:21):
Oh gosh.
Well, this gives me chillsevery time I say this, but
definitely, you know, we don'twant just one home to serve
these women, we want multiplesafe houses.
We have dreamed about one dayserving children who are being
trafficked.
You know, we us not just beingin the United States and going
(21:44):
abroad, and so all of those willtake God's hand, obviously, but
we have a heart to serve peoplewho and women, children, even
men who do get trafficked thatmight be sitting right now in a
home against their will or in anapartment building or wherever
(22:07):
they are right now and sayingGod, where are you, can you help
me?
And you know we want to be theorganization that says yes, we
can help you and be a part ofyour redemptive story.
Heredes (22:20):
Oh, I love that, Georgia.
Thank you so much.
Georgia Downey (22:23):
Thank you so much for having me.
Heredes (22:25):
No, it's our pleasure.
We love hearing, like I said,the reputation and the trust
that you know Lori House has andyour leadership.
We pray and we speak, blessingover you guys and those
listening.
Be a part.
You know, this is a millionover millions, over millions of
problems and we need everybodyand I'm talking in people that
are getting either traffic butthen the dollars it takes to
(22:47):
help them get out of traffic.
So be a part, jump in and we'llput all the links here for you
to help them continue to rescueone heart at a time.
So thank you so much, thank youso?
much.
Outro (22:59):
Thanks again for listening to the Nonprofit
Renaissance.
We hope it ignites arenaissance in you and helps you
go further and grow faster.
Be sure to share, rate andsubscribe, and if you'd like to
recommend or be a guest on ourshow, send us an email at
podcastatversecreativecom.
Georgia, thanks for hanging out with us.
Georgia Downey (00:12):
Thank you for having me.
What an honor.
Heredes (00:14):
No, it's our blessing and you've come so highly
recommended in talking to ourfriends, our ministry friends
and nonprofit friends, andthat's what we love, because
when there's that trust andreputation it's so important in
what we do, in the line of workwe do, especially in who you're
serving, who you're rescuing,who you're raising awareness and
funds for.
So we'll start there.
(00:34):
I know our favorite co-host,colin, already introduced us
right now, but tell us a littleabout Glory House of Miami.
Give us a story, a mission.
How did everything start?
Georgia Downey (00:46):
Yeah, thank you so much.
So Glory House of Miami, westarted in 2011.
Our founding board member,maria Vidia.
She had an actual vision fromGod that she was supposed to
start rescuing women who havesurvived sex trafficking, and
she was supposed to call itGlory House and God's glory
(01:07):
would be revealed through it.
And so, yep, they started in2011.
They hired the person I'mtaking over, you know, betty
Laura, who just did, for over 11years, a phenomenal job, and so
what we do, what Glory Housedoes, is we reach, rescue and
(01:30):
restore women who survivors ofhuman trafficking, specifically
sex trafficking.
There's different labortrafficking and everything like
that, but we focus on sextrafficking and these are adult
women, and we focus on it.
In one heart at a time is ourmotto.
Heredes (01:45):
Oh, I love that and you're in Florida and serving
based out of Miami and myunderstanding it's one of the
highest in the world.
The stats, I mean it's scary.
I was looking through the dataon the site.
Tell us a little bit more aboutthe need in Florida.
Georgia Downey (02:01):
Definitely.
Well, I mean globally, and Ithink you know no one can really
get the exact numbers, they'rejust estimates, right, because
this is pure evil that'shappening around the world.
So you know, $150 to $250billion are being made regarding
(02:22):
human trafficking, and thatincludes men, women and children
.
In the United States, inFlorida ranks third, and so
South Miami is a huge Miami initself sorry is a huge hotspot
because of, you know, we're anentertainment city, we have
(02:45):
ports, we have all of these waysto traffic women, and one of
the things that I think a lot ofpeople don't know is that you
know this isn't prostitution.
This is by force, fraud orcoercion.
So this is against a woman'swill and she is forced into this
(03:08):
sexual exploitation.
Heredes (03:10):
And I appreciate you breaking that down, because
there are some misconceptions,there's sometimes even taboo and
, depending what circles you'rein, it's either there's high
awareness and it's talked about,and sometimes it's not.
It's covered up and it's under.
Tell me a little bit more, ifyou can help our listeners
understand.
Georgia Downey (03:27):
Yeah, I think you know we're all humans, we
all operate in the flesh and youknow, when you're looking
around at different nonprofitsand different causes, you know
human trafficking is the darkestof the dark and so we as human
beings, we really don't want togo there, we don't want to learn
(03:49):
, and that's natural andunderstandable.
But the thing that really gripsme is, for example, I was at a
meeting a couple months ago withthe state attorney's office in
Homeland and they had just kindof refigured their maps of the
city over Miami-Dade County, andCoral Gables is now the hotspot
(04:11):
, the highest percentage ofwhere traffickers are focusing
on, and so I think we haveamazing marketing and awareness
with Sound of Freedom andeverything, but I think
everyone's thoughts are okay.
This is like sound of freedomand everything, but I think
everyone's thoughts are okay.
This is happening in a thirdworld country or it's only
(04:31):
happening in, you know, extreme,abject poverty, and it's not,
it's the crime that is happeningin plain sight.
Heredes (04:41):
And for those who don't know, coral Gables, wealthy,
historic neighborhood in thecore of Miami where businesses
and Georgia Howe again curiousand just helping our listeners
understand, be aware, bewatching, be praying.
How do we even know thatinformation, like, if I'm out,
if I'm just average Joe citizen,I'm looking.
(05:02):
How does somebody know this?
Georgia Downey (05:04):
Yeah, so I mean there are signs.
You know, these women are, likeI said, taken under force,
fraud or coercion, so they mightbe offered.
They're vulnerable, you know,and the average age of a child
that turns into a woman thatgets trafficked is around 13
years of age.
So you can imagine if you're ayoung woman, 18 and older, maybe
(05:26):
you broke up with yourboyfriend, you're having a bad
month, you have low self-esteem,maybe you did come from some
type of abusive situation andyou're vulnerable.
And here comes a handsome man ora really cool, pretty woman
that's saying, hey, like you'rebeautiful, like you're wonderful
(05:49):
, like, and giving you all ofthese compliments and raising
your self-esteem and thisgrooming process that happens
can happen for months.
And you think, you know, oh,I'm dating this guy, he's
wonderful.
Or I just met a new friend andwe're going to the pool together
down at the Gables, and thenmonths later, bam, you know,
(06:12):
I've heard horrendous storieswhere you know a woman thought
they were dating somebody andsaid, okay, well, good night,
have a great night.
And he was like you're notgoing anywhere, and that's the
force, that's the force moment,and took her phone, took her,
you know, id and everything, andshe was forced into, you know,
slavery.
Heredes (06:30):
And it's so.
There's a kidnapping of sorts,there's an isolation,
manipulation of for sure, no,and I only highlighting some of
that.
Georgia Downey (06:40):
So sometimes it may be truly under our nose and
you see somebody going throughsomething that seems
relationally basic, but if thewarnings are there, if there are
signs, yes, if they don't makeeye contact with you, if you see
bruises on them, if they don'thave any ID, if they don't have
a phone, if they keep going forpermission to talk to a man or
(07:01):
their boyfriend, like all ofthose.
Obviously we know domesticviolence exists and abusive
situations, but those are somesigns of potential human
trafficking.
And, yeah, we have to be on thelookout because I think what
confuses people is by that pointof time.
So maybe they are walking pastyou at Starbucks.
(07:22):
You might be thinking as awoman, as just a believer, just
run yeah, you know, correct,like run.
But by that time and point,that trafficker has total mind
control over these victims.
Wow.
Heredes (07:38):
Wow.
Georgia Downey (07:59):
Yeah, so many questions.
Georgia, tell me, specificallywith Glory House.
How does Glory House come intothe picture?
How do where women who in thestages of healing if you come
out of human trafficking, you'refirst most likely going to need
to go through detox, becausesome are on drugs and that keeps
them in bondage as well.
(08:19):
There's usually a 90-dayprogram, and then Glory House.
Where our niche is, is thatlong-term restoration and
healing that only Jesus can do.
So we opened our home in 2014.
14 women graduated from theprogram and then, of course, the
(08:40):
hallmark of history that hiteveryone in 2020 was the
pandemic and we ended up.
The board decided to close thehome just because of rent prices
and everything like that.
But in this year, you know,walking into this incredible
leadership opportunity that Ihave, god's really put on our
hearts that man.
(09:00):
We have to get back to theheartbeat of who we are and
reopen our homes.
So we're in process of prayingand looking and getting started
on that.
Heredes (09:09):
Oh, I love that.
I love that we can be a part intalking about this and to our
listeners.
We're going to link all theinformation below on how you can
be a part, learn more and,especially if you're in Florida
or the Southeast, here to be apart and to support.
How did you get involved,georgia?
What's your story in GloryHouse?
How did the paths cross?
Georgia Downey (09:29):
Well, I've known about Glory House for over a
decade.
They've been such a pillar inthe community.
Obviously I've known Betty aswell.
I definitely have.
I don't have this bright andcheery testimony in my own life.
I've always had a heart forwomen and women who have gone
through this type of egregiousabuse and so, yeah, I was
(09:54):
actually serving in a ministryin foster care before this and
it was awesome and incredible.
It's called Explore FosterMiami.
They're still around, they'redoing amazing things and it kind
of got broached out of nowhereLike would you consider being
the executive director?
And in last year and it was all.
(10:15):
God you know I can't really sayoh, I thought of it or they
thought about it, but for me itwas like kind of a dream job,
because it doesn't feel likework.
Heredes (10:25):
I love it.
I love it and I can tell, intalking to you here, your
passion and in this new postpandemic you're sharing.
Earlier, talk to us a littlebit about the challenges of
whether it's real estate,whether it's just housing and
resourcing the programs, becauseit's not a there's a 90-day,
but it's a long-term.
Georgia Downey (10:46):
Up to two years.
Yeah.
Heredes (10:47):
So it's a long-term program that you know the
attention is needed, the care,the physical, the you know to
sustain, to break them.
Tell us more, break that downand what that looks like.
Georgia Downey (10:58):
Definitely so.
One of the things that I admireso much about how we operate is
this idea of, like I said atthe beginning, of one heart at a
time.
So in terms of challenges, ofcourse there's capacity issues.
We want to serve as many womenas we can and in our
(11:25):
non-resident program we serve onaverage 50 to 60 women per
month, which is a good chunk.
But in terms of our actualRedeemed by Love healing program
, right, these women are goingthrough discipleship, spiritual
healing, emotional healing fromthe trauma and of course we're
offering full wraparound, everywraparound service you can think
of, to help them.
But that's all great, but Ithink the thing that just drew
(11:47):
me into Glory House, and stilldoes every single day, and why I
have so much passion for thisjob, is we're interested in
making an eternal impact in thelives of these women, so going
from beauty for ashes, godtaking us and doing this new
thing in their life and changinghearts that only he can do.
(12:09):
And so we have women who havecome into our program and
obviously they have noself-esteem, trust issues, going
through significant trauma andreally we can't take the glory
to watch God really do surgeryon their hearts over time.
And now you know they're happyand living life.
(12:32):
And a nurse now that's one ofthe testimonies is a nurse now
and really, like you know,taking what should have
devastated their life and sayingyou know what.
This is a new beginning for me.
That's, I think, the heartbeatof who we are.
Heredes (12:50):
I love that it's in the name right Georgia, because
that's where God gets all theglory.
Georgia Downey (12:54):
Yeah.
Heredes (12:54):
And that eternal impact .
There are the physical, theimmediate needs, the breaking
from that and the legacy they'releaving now.
Right, you're talking about nowthe confidence, their identity
in Christ.
Now you're shifting them into,whether it's family, starting
out of this and the impact to acity.
I love that.
I love hearing that.
How do, how do the women you'rerescuing hear about you?
(13:20):
Or do you seek them?
What's that?
However, god uses this.
You know.
I'm praying that this getsheard by thousands and that it
gets in the ears and the eyes ofhow do people hear about you?
How do the women who need youhear about you?
Georgia Downey (13:33):
Yeah, so we definitely get you know
referrals locally, nationally,and that happens and that's
wonderful.
We do also street outreach, sowe do go in the streets and our
incredible team is able to spotcertain areas that are high
trafficking areas and we go andminister to them and just say,
(13:55):
hey, if you ever choose bravelyto get out of this, which for
them it's life or death, youknow they're being threatened
every day.
I'll kill you, your family,your, you know your fellow
friends right here, and so forthem it's life or death.
And, yeah, we go out throughstreet outreach and we also have
women call us who are activelybeing trafficked and said you
(14:19):
know, saw us on a website andsaid can you help us?
I mean, that just happened lastweek.
Heredes (14:24):
Wow, yeah, wow.
So can somebody volunteer withGlory House?
Georgia Downey (14:28):
Yes.
So the difference involunteering, there's different
options.
So if you're a church,absolutely there are service
projects you can do.
Obviously, the nature of whatwe do, we have to be
confidential and all of that,but there's definitely, you know
, the church is the answer tothis crisis, for sure, and so
(14:50):
there's lots of opportunity forchurches to serve in various
ways.
If you're an individual, yeah,there's an opportunity to be
like a sister, a buddy, you knowsomebody who's kind of a mentor
, a woman who you know feelscalled to do that.
It's very the cool thing aboutour mentorship program is that
before you actually getconnected to a woman, you
(15:12):
yourself have to go throughhealing.
Wow, because there's going tobe traumas that we have.
We've all been through stuff,right, and we're going to kind
of rub against each other, so weactually our volunteers, get
freedom, you know, when they'reserving.
So there's mentorshipopportunities and a lot of other
ways that you can help.
If you're a business, you canbe a corporate sponsor.
(15:33):
We can do awareness events.
If you're a school like,there's so many ways to get
involved.
Heredes (15:38):
I love it.
You listen to Georgia in.
Gloryhouseofmiamiorg is thewebsite.
We'll put all the links in thenotes and some events.
There's some things coming up.
There's some goals for 2024 andsome events I've seen and have
heard about.
Georgia Downey (15:51):
Yes.
Heredes (15:51):
Tell us a little bit more about some of those other
ways that folks can get involved.
Georgia Downey (15:55):
So perfect.
So thank you.
On May 3rd we're having, kindof, our biggest event of the
year.
It's called our Fashion forFreedom.
We're having a really, reallycool fashion show, casting
vision for 2024.
If you want to purchase aticket and come see us, it's
(16:19):
gloryhouseofmiamiorg, and thenthere are opportunities.
You know, if you might be thatperson that is just like man.
I don't think I have the heartto really be a mentor right now
or, you know, serve in that way.
But honestly, you know, if youwanted to be join our tribe,
which is our monthly givingprogram five dollars a month a
coffee would make an impact withthese women you know, so that's
(16:41):
, that's great.
Heredes (16:43):
See, cause it.
Sometimes we think it's, unlessI have my wealth or my state to
assign to this organization, Ican't.
But you're saying that,starting just at five, it can.
It can help somebody.
That's amazing and we can findall the links on the website.
They can hear okay, Purchasethe tickets to the event as well
.
Georgia Downey (16:59):
Purchase tickets there as well.
Heredes (17:01):
I love hearing that.
I love it.
So tell me about the fashionshow.
Can people volunteer to bemodels?
No, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
Georgia Downey (17:07):
I think we have the models picked out but.
If you're really feeling like.
You know I have to be a model.
Reach out to us.
You know we never know.
Tell him relax.
Heredes (17:14):
We have male models too .
Colin's got a face made forpodcast and for radio and I
think he was a hand model.
I'm kidding, I just loveteasing him.
Missing him today in the studiohere, but you heard from him in
the beginning and the end.
But, georgia, thanks again.
(17:36):
Tell us a little bit more justbefore we wrap up With something
like this.
It's high danger, high risk,sometimes underground, right, so
you feel like you're a specialops team because it's an
underground.
So true, you're dealing.
Those who are trafficking areextremely dangerous evil right.
What gives you the strength andI think we know the answer to
(18:00):
that and how can somebody bepraying specifically and
supporting you remotely?
Georgia Downey (18:05):
Yeah, um, that's a great question, I think.
Um, you know, in Isaiah 61, godcalls us as believers to, um,
you know, raise the dead, setthe captives free.
And so I think everyone whoserves and is a part of the team
at Glory House knows that theyare literally going into the
(18:25):
darkness, into the night, andtrusting that God's with them
and for them and that ultimately, the battle is His.
I know, for me, of course, itcan get heavy and dark and
terrible, the things we hearthat are happening, but I
believe that this is the Lord'sministry and that His eyes are
(18:51):
upon us, and so it's just adaily surrender and trust.
So, prayer we need every day.
If you could pray, that's thegreatest thing you could do for
us.
Honestly Pray for us, pray forthe women we serve, and just
pray for God to open up moredoors of opportunity for us.
Heredes (19:07):
I love that.
I love that.
I love your passion for the organd fairly new to the role.
Yes, taking, betty.
You're not even on the website.
Georgia Downey (19:15):
I know that's one of the things I have to do.
Heredes (19:18):
Okay, cool.
Georgia Downey (19:20):
I haven't been sleeping a lot.
Heredes (19:22):
After yeah, yeah, well, we can help if you need help.
Georgia Downey (19:24):
Yes, okay, we'll get you.
Outro (19:25):
We'll get you, thank you.
Heredes (19:26):
Tell me this.
We'll come back here From aleadership perspective a lot of
our listeners are in thenonprofit space.
They're C-suite leaders orthey're in ministry.
They're executive leaders,pastors leading large churches,
startup churches, you knowchurch plants.
What are some challenges thatmaybe you have and you're
stepping into this role thatthey're not even aware it's
(19:47):
different or, that's, you knowwhat, very similar to what
you're dealing with.
Give us a little glimpse intoyour leadership role.
Georgia Downey (19:53):
That's a great question, I would say, you know,
expect it to be challenging,you know, and expect it to be
amazingly wonderful at the sametime.
But I think the most importantthing that I have to remember
every day is that I and thissounds so Christianese, but I
(20:14):
cannot do this without God.
I have to be fully dependentand abide in Him.
In no way do I think I have theanswer to you know rescuing
these women, but I believe thatif I can depend on Him and lean
on Him every single day, hour byhour, a lot of times, that in
the end we'll be okay.
Heredes (20:38):
I love it.
I love that.
So foundational, but such agreat reminder, right and
sometimes we overcomplicatethings as leaders, yeah, and I
think it shouldn't ever becliche.
It should be the standard andthe norm and our lead and to
lead, yeah, and.
Georgia Downey (20:54):
I would say if somebody is a new leader jumping
into a you know a neworganization, just jump in like
don't shrink back, jump in, leanin strong.
Um, and God's with you.
Heredes (21:08):
I know it's, uh, it's Miami, it's Florida, uh, talk to
us.
Let's dream big here.
Let's talk the next 10 years,next 20 glory house period.
You know us talk about somelong-term goals and dreams.
Georgia Downey (21:21):
Oh gosh.
Well, this gives me chillsevery time I say this, but
definitely, you know, we don'twant just one home to serve
these women, we want multiplesafe houses.
We have dreamed about one dayserving children who are being
trafficked.
You know, we us not just beingin the United States and going
(21:44):
abroad, and so all of those willtake God's hand, obviously, but
we have a heart to serve peoplewho and women, children, even
men who do get trafficked thatmight be sitting right now in a
home against their will or in anapartment building or wherever
(22:07):
they are right now and sayingGod, where are you, can you help
me?
And you know we want to be theorganization that says yes, we
can help you and be a part ofyour redemptive story.
Heredes (22:20):
Oh, I love that, Georgia.
Thank you so much.
Georgia Downey (22:23):
Thank you so much for having me.
Heredes (22:25):
No, it's our pleasure.
We love hearing, like I said,the reputation and the trust
that you know Lori House has andyour leadership.
We pray and we speak, blessingover you guys and those
listening.
Be a part.
You know, this is a millionover millions, over millions of
problems and we need everybodyand I'm talking in people that
are getting either traffic butthen the dollars it takes to
(22:47):
help them get out of traffic.
So be a part, jump in and we'llput all the links here for you
to help them continue to rescueone heart at a time.
So thank you so much, thank youso?
much.
Outro (22:59):
Thanks again for listening to the Nonprofit
Renaissance.
We hope it ignites arenaissance in you and helps you
go further and grow faster.
Be sure to share, rate andsubscribe, and if you'd like to
recommend or be a guest on ourshow, send us an email at
podcastatversecreativecom.
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