This week, we talked with Paige Squeri, Chirp’s Director of Operations and Charitable Giving, about The Refuge for Women North Texas and their fundraising dinner.
Jane: Can you tell me a little bit about your role as Director of Charitable Giving?
Paige: I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…one of the most rewarding aspects of my role as Director of Charitable Giving is having the privilege to work with some of the most amazing charity organizations! This past month, Chirp had the honor of hosting a table at The Refuge for Women North Texas fundraising dinner. The dinner was a wonderful celebration of lives changed as well as a look to future endeavors and plans to help women who have been trafficked.
Jane: What is Refuge for Women all about?
Paige: Refuge for Women is a specialized long-term care facility for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation. As of 2022, there are a total of 35 million sex trafficking victims every single day. Over 50% of the worldwide sex trafficking is happening here in the US with Texas and California having the highest numbers in the US. It is estimated that the sex trafficking industry is a $150 business which makes it even larger than the global cocaine market.
Jane: That’s incredible. How does Refuge for Women aim to help the women affected?
Paige: The realities of this are hard to wrap your head around, but it’s real and organizations like Refuge for Women are working to help women break free from this life. Refuge for Women has helped numerous women work through a program to emotionally, physically, and spiritually heal from the damage and heartache caused by a life of being trafficked.
Jane: Anything else you’d like folks to know about this year’s fundraising dinner?
Paige: The theme for this year’s fundraising dinner was Hope, and I can’t think of a better word to exemplify our desires for these women…hope for recovery, hope for changed lives, hope for others to be rescued, and hope for the day that not one more woman will endure the tragedy of a life of sex trafficking. We celebrate the incredible work that Refuge for Women North Texas is accomplishing! If you’d like to learn more, please visit https://refugeforwomen.org/north-texas/