Lauren was attending an event a few years ago where the issue of human trafficking was featured. She remembers thinking, “Why was I in the dark for so long on this?” She was shocked and upset to learn how many people were living in slavery. Her next thought was, “What could I do to make a difference with this issue?”

When Ally Global Foundation was founded in 2019, Lauren thought “I have to be a part of this.” Lauren happened to know the founder of Ally personally, and trusted in the integrity of the organization from the beginning. She feels hopeful about the work being done, and loves to see greater awareness being brought to the issue.

Lauren remembers what it felt like to first learn about human trafficking—and that experience propels her to share about human trafficking with others.

When The Refuge—Ally’s monthly giving community—first launched, Lauren joined right away. Now every month, Lauren sees her donation as a reminder that “this is something that I care about. I don’t just want to be living my life thinking, ‘I support this issue’ but not sacrificing anything for it.”

Lauren has also been inspired to invite the people around her to join Ally’s work. In early 2022, she organized a fundraiser with all of her friends in celebration of her birthday. Many of her friends weren’t familiar with human trafficking, and bringing awareness was rewarding. (She also raised $3,164 to prevent human trafficking and provide aftercare for survivors.)

Committing to giving monthly can be intimidating at first. Lauren and her husband took some time to consider their monthly budget and asked, “What do we want to sacrifice to give to Ally?”

Lauren says, “You can start with a little and see how that makes a difference in your heart, and in your mind and in your life.” Giving $10/month could be as simple as not going out for lunch one day. “Instead of stopping for two coffees at Starbucks that month, you could donate that amount. It’s not a lot to be able to sacrifice for something that helps people in such amazing and big ways.”

Lauren’s encouragement to others considering joining The Refuge would be,  “Why not serve others with how you’re spending your money and join along in a community of people who have made a decision to make a difference in the world? Share in helping more children, women and men be rescued from slavery.”