Redeeming Hope: Providing a Home for Human Trafficking Victims With Lisa Foster and Linda Blackburn

I’ll be speaking with Lisa Foster and Linda Blackburn, two realtors with Berkshire Hathaway who are also working on a special project called Redeeming Hope. This is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Madison County with a goal to provide a home for girls between the ages of 14 and 18 who have been human trafficked or sexually exploited.

Human trafficking is a more significant issue than most of us realize. We are based in Kentucky, which ranks number 9 in the nation for human trafficking, and in 2021 alone, there were 312 alleged reports involving 379 alleged child victims. This is why Lisa and Linda are so passionate about this project. They share their plans for the house, including equine therapy and a special place called The Jordan River. Lisa also shares her very personal inspiration for taking on this important project.

Episode Highlights: 

[01:10] Redeeming Hope is a 501(c)(3) in Madison County. They have a goal to have a group home with the emphasis on the home to love girls from the ages of 14 through 18 who have been human trafficked or sexually exploited. 

[01:38] The goal is to have the home built by the end of summer and have residents by next year. Lisa is focusing on getting the girls in the house. 

[02:22] They are going to provide treatment, trauma therapy, and equine therapy. Along with educational assistance and life skills training. They want to bring in all sorts of outside activities from cooking to exercise classes. 

[03:05] The plan is to individualize each program to make it special for each girl. 

[03:45] Kentucky ranks number 9 in the nation for human trafficking. In 2021, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services received 312 alleged reports of human trafficking involving 379 alleged child victims.

[07:07] Groomers prey on little girls and after a while they don’t know what normal is. Drugs are often involved. Perpetrators are frequently known to the victim or even family members. 

[10:52] The home is going to be two-story and have a barn with two or three horses. It’s going to be 5300 square feet and house 10 to 12 girls. There will be beautiful landscaping and a place for reflection called The Jordan River. They’ll also have chickens and a greenhouse and few business ventures to keep money coming in. 

[14:37] The goal is to have the community love these girls.

[15:27] Lisa shares that her daughter was murdered over a year ago and how she prayed for a reason to live. Soon after that, she was approached about making a group home for girls that were human trafficking victims. 

[16:22] This is Lisa’s mission for the rest of her life.

[16:57] Linda has been retired for a year. When Lisa contacted her, she knew there was a need for this, and she wanted to help these girls. 

[18:11] All of the community is going to join together to help these girls and become more aware of potential abuse.

[18:47] Leadership Madison County will be having a Coffee & Conversation Open House on Wednesday April 12, 2023 from 4:30 to 6:30 at Purdy’s Coffee Shop located at 212 West Main St. Richmond, KY 40475. 859-624-9920.

[19:59] Awareness, prayers, and donations are always welcome. 

Resources & Links Related to this Episode

• Springdale Title
• Lisa Foster Berkshire Hathaway
• Linda Blackburn Berkshire Hathaway 
• Redeeming Hope Facebook
• Redeeming Hope Instagram
• Leadership Madison County
• Purdy’s Coffee
• Your Eyes Save Lives

If you would like more information or would like to donate/sponsor, please contact Redeeming Hope:
Call/Text/Email Lisa Foster: 859-582-1010 Lfoster@donfoster.com or Redeeming.hope.ky@gmail.com
Facebook: RedeemingHope@RedeemingHope

https://venmo.com/u/Redeeming-Hope
https://cash.app/$RedeemingHope

Checks payable to Redeeming Hope
P.O. Box 2102
Richmond, KY 40476

Look for our logo blue background with a white tree.
IF YOU SEE THE SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING/ SEXUAL EXPLOITATION MAKE THE CALL
Immediate help 911
Hotline 1-888-373-7888

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