Every single person is worthy of love.
That is the belief that drives our work at REST, and that was the theme of the evening at our fifth annual A Night of REST fundraising gala on Saturday, November 11.
This National Wellness Month, we’re exploring how healing goes far beyond self-care, it’s about reclaiming safety, identity, and hope. Learn how survivors at REST are finding strength after trauma and why wellness is a justice issue we all have a role in. Read the full blog to learn more.
Sex‑trafficking survivors face staggering mental‑health challenges—PTSD in one‑third, depression in more than 70 %, and suicide‑attempt rates higher than combat veterans. REST’s trauma‑informed therapies, mind‑body interventions, and peer‑support programs helped clients log 257 healing milestones last year alone. Discover how evidence‑based care turns trauma into hope—and how you can give, share, advocate, or volunteer to make freedom truly healing.
Meet Amy Chapman—REST volunteer for 9+ years whose every season of life has been shaped by purpose, creativity, and grace. From art nights to prayer walks, clothing drives to soul-care, Amy’s ripple effect is undeniable. Read how Amy’s journey continues to inspire freedom and hope.
Meet Rebecca Friesen Ifland—whose quiet consistency and heart for community are changing lives at REST, one meal and one moment at a time. From delivering dinners to sparking job opportunities, her story is a reminder that small acts can ripple into lasting change. Read how Rebecca is making waves.
Meet Kim Berry—a nurse, advocate, and volunteer who’s turning compassion into action at REST. From holding hands in hospital rooms to walking alongside survivors at medical appointments, Kim's story is deeply moving and beautifully human. Her one word to describe volunteering? Gratifying. Read how Kim is making waves—and why she says volunteering gives back more than it takes.
I imagine most of you who attended REST’s Sex Trafficking & the Gospel event this past weekend are still considering the powerful teachings presented. I am, too. In fact, I’ve spent the weekend pondering the sharp, yet truthful words shared by Reverend Eugene Cho, “We love justice until there’s a cost.”
It would seem there is cause to despair. Hundreds of girls and young women are being bought and sold for sex every night in Seattle. They are forced to endure repeated acts of violent sexual exploitation for the profit of their traffickers and the pleasure of their buyers.