A MESSAGE FROM VIP 24 - COLUMBUS:
We, Team 24 Karat, the 24th class of Next Level Trainings’ Vision Impact Program (VIP) in Columbus, were challenged with creating an impactful community service project. As a team, we decided to stand in support of women and children who are victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
1,078 children in Ohio are sex trafficked each year. 49% of victims are first trafficked at the age of 18 or younger; the average age of a victim is 13. 1DivineLine2Health provides healthcare, shelter, food, and access to recovery services to women and children in need. 1DivineLine2Health empowers women to reclaim their autonomy and provides them a safe environment to rebuild their lives.
With the intention of creating passion, love, and peace, our team chose to support 1DivineLine2Health and their mission to embrace, support, and empower as many members of our community who have felt the effects of human trafficking and domestic violence as possible. As our team rallied together and the more we learned about this organization, the stronger our vision became. 1DivineLine2Health’s mission and vision became our own. Our commitment to breaking the cycle of trafficking and violence became the source of our inspiration.
With a team of only 35 individuals, we boldly declared to raise $114,000 in 28 days for 1DivineLine2Health. We reached out to corporations, local businesses, family, and friends to support this cause. Our campaign reached far and wide spreading awareness and gaining support throughout Columbus, many other cities in Ohio, across the country, and around the world.
We hosted a family fun event at Big Walnut Park to bring the community together and raise funds. At the event, we provided a potluck style meal, music, activities, games, and a silent auction. The event served to bring the community together and bring more attention to 1DivineLine2Health’s cause.
Our team not only met our declaration, but surpassed it, creating $122,627. In addition to raising funds for 1DivineLine2Health, our team spent over 3,500 volunteer hours working on this project, and sourced over 5,000 tangible goods.
Esther Flores, Founder of 1DivineLine2Health, emphasized the true impact of our team’s support: “VIP 24 took a stand for the mission of 1DivineLine2Health. They ultimately discovered the gift and power of love currency which is used to dispel darkness in our community. This reality was found as they used their time, talents, and passion to serve our women, their children, and transgender folks who have been victims of human trafficking. Love saves the world one heart at a time.
We are over the moon about our results and still in awe of the impact we have made in such a short period of time. It is truly amazing what can happen when a team bands together with a common goal that changes the world forever.
From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank everyone who contributed to our campaign and supported us along the way. Thank you to Next Level Trainings’ Leadership, coaches, and graduates, and the many donors from all walks of our lives. We are truly grateful for the lessons we have learned and the connections we created not only within our team but out in the world.