Reflecting on Hope with Hands:
Our Hope with Hands Volunteer Information session last month was a success! Many of us gathered together over breakfast, sharing conversation and connection while stepping into a deeper understanding of the serious and dark reality of human trafficking. We were reminded that this is not a distant issue, but a national crisis unfolding even within our own community. That sobering realization deepened our awareness and strengthened our commitment to respond.
Yet in the midst of such heaviness, we were united by the one hope we share — Jesus Christ. It is His light that shines through the staff and volunteers of OneHope Refuge as they faithfully serve with compassion and courage, caring for the women and children entrusted to us and walking with them toward restoration and lasting hope. We are deeply thankful for every person who attended with an open heart toward the women and children we serve, ready to listen and engage.
We are especially grateful for the three volunteers who shared their experiences serving at OneHope Refuge, offering heartfelt testimony of their love and commitment to these women and children. Their words beautifully reflected the heart of this mission and the power of faithful service.
A Note from Vincent Kavanagh, Board Member, Treasurer
Sex trafficking leaves a devastating wake—trauma, isolation, heartbreak, and deeply wounded spirits. The women and children who fall prey to this evil often endure unimaginable suffering. Even for those who escape, the road to healing is long and difficult, marked by physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds that run deep.
And yet, this darkness does not go unchallenged.
God has raised up a community of faithful men and women who stand in the gap—each playing a vital role in pushing back against this evil: caregivers who provide daily, compassionate care; volunteers who offer their time and presence; legal advocates who pursue justice; law enforcement and extraction teams who intervene in critical moments; trauma-informed therapists who walk alongside survivors in healing; advocates working to reduce demand; and leaders who carry the responsibility of sustaining places of refuge.
At Onehope Refuge, we are often blessed to witness stories of restoration—families healing, mothers growing in strength and confidence, and children rediscovering joy in the safety of a stable home. These glimpses of redemption are real, and they are worth celebrating.
At the same time, we want to share honestly about this season.
The team is carrying a heavy load.
The needs of the families in their care are significant and constant. Trauma does not operate on a schedule, and even small triggers can lead to overwhelming moments for both mothers and children. Providing continual care requires deep emotional and spiritual investment, and while the staff serves with remarkable faithfulness, the weight of this work is real.
As a board, we are prayerfully considering how best to support both the team and the families they serve—seeking wisdom from the Lord to strengthen the ministry and establish healthy, sustainable rhythms for the future.
Like many ministries, Onehope Refuge operates with intentional stewardship and daily dependence on God’s provision. Stepping into what may be needed next will require continued faith and trust in Him.
During this Lenten season—a time set apart for prayer, sacrifice, and generosity—we invite you to join us in a tangible way.
Would you prayerfully consider giving above and beyond your usual support, as the Lord leads?
We are deeply grateful for the way so many have come alongside this ministry. Your prayers, generosity, and partnership are a vital part of what God is doing through Onehope Refuge.
Worship Night Supporting Onehope Refuge:
Wake Union Baptist Church is hosting a Worship Night on Saturday, March 28th at 6:00 PM in support of Onehope Refuge. Join us for a special evening as individuals and families share songs and musical pieces that reflect their love for the Lord, bringing our community together through music, worship, and a shared heart for the women and children we serve.
More than just a night of music, this will be an opportunity to gather in faith, celebrate what God is doing, and support a mission that is bringing hope and healing.
A Note from Jill
The families at Onehope Refuge are reading through the Bible together this year—not chronologically, but through a daily progression that includes passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalms. As we have recently walked through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and now Deuteronomy, the meaning of Passover has taken on a deeper significance with Easter just around the corner.
One of the families in our home was raised in the Jewish tradition and faithfully observed the Seder meal each year, remembering how God instructed the Israelites to place the blood of the lamb over their doorposts so that the angel of death would pass over their homes. This year, however, both Passover and Easter hold an entirely new meaning for her. She has come to know Jesus as the Messiah—the true Passover Lamb—whose blood washes us clean and restores peace between God and His people.
We are so grateful for her salvation and for the way the Lord is drawing her heart to Himself, as she learns to trust Him more deeply with her cares and needs.
The Lord continues to faithfully lead Onehope Refuge in all we are doing to support the families in our care. In this season, we believe He is calling us to “camp”—much like He did with the Israelites—teaching, refining, and preparing us to serve Him more faithfully. With each family we serve, we are learning, growing, and seeking to follow Him closely as we care for His sheep.
Thank you for your continued prayers as we walk out this calling—to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, to live according to His Word, and to shine His light into the darkness for His glory.
All for Him,
Jill Kearney
Founder | Executive Director
jill@onehoperefuge.org | www.onehoperefuge.org