Staff Spotlight – Jen Robinson

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Staff Spotlight by Vanessa Dunn, Awaken Intern

Awaken is filled with warriors. One of those is Co-Founder, Jen Robinson, whose tremendous compassion for her clients shines as she discusses her work. Executive Director and fellow Co-Founder, Melissa Holland, states:

One thing that stands out about Jen, is the way the women are so drawn to her. It’s because of who she is, not what she does. Jen is incredibly welcoming and warm and trusts easily, she cares day in and day out whether she is on the clock or not.

Jen has filled several roles over the past seven years at Awaken. Today, she serves as the youth intervention director, running the agency’s prevention program and serving as a case manager to 18youth ranging in age from 11 to 18-years-old.

Jen, a Reno native, met Melissa at a Bible study. As Jen began to learn more about the issue of commercial sexual exploitation from Melissa she felt called to stand up for the survivors of commercial sex trafficking in the Reno-Tahoe area. Jen began providing rides to victims, and as time went on she realized that they not only needed food, but clothing as well. The two women began to develop traction and awareness within the community. Jen, by nature a caring and genuine person, realized that she had a moral obligation to establish Awaken as an organization. She used her degree in management and marketing, along with her business knowledge to procure a business license.

One of Jen’s favorite things about the job is watching the clients laugh and interact with one another. “Jen’s heart for her girls is truly inspiring, she goes above and beyond her duties. The girls feel so comfortable with her,” says Kasia, the program director for Awaken.

Jen loves working with the girls, hearing their stories and watching them overcome, saying:

I think being invited into the most sacred and personal parts of their life is the most rewarding. In December I was asked by one of the girls to be in the delivery room when she gave birth to her first child and I was asked to be the one to cut her umbilical cord. It’s an honor and a privilege, and the fact that she would trust me enough to allow me into that room and into her life means the world to me.

There are struggles that come with the job. When asked about the challenges of working within Awaken, I felt the sincerity and raw emotion from Jen as she shared that “personal choice” was one of her biggest challenges.

The relationship between the staff and the clients is very real. So, when clients struggle and make choices that I wouldn’t necessarily make for them, it’s really hard. To see them fall is difficult, and to see them run back can be heartbreaking. I know I take it hard, so I do what I need to do for me personally to take care of myself.

Jen is blessed to have a strong support group of friends, in addition to three goddaughters that light up her world. She looks to Jesus and the Church for added love and encouragement. Some of Jen’s favorite group activities include going to Fly High and rock climbing, “I love watching them push past their fears, make goals and achieve them.” Jen’s biggest dream for Awaken is getting a whole cul-de-sac for community living, “…where together we can equip one another to come into our true identity and take steps toward independence and freedom.”

Jen has changed the lives of clients, students, and the community. Through her passion for changing the culture surrounding commercial sexual exploitation, she has built a strong foundation for prevention and awareness and built timeless relationships with the clients she holds so dear. There is no better reward than putting your heart into something and creating joy.

 

Awaken's Stance on FOSTA-SESTA

Posted on by Awaken
Congress passed the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) and the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) to target websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking or intentionally promote the prostitution of others (pimping). The violation is aggravated if a website knowingly promotes or facilitates the prostitution of 5 or more persons or acts in reckless disregard if such conduct contributed to sex trafficking. FOSTA-SESTA also allows victims of online sex trafficking to seek civil remedies.
 
For years, bad actor websites that knowingly promoted sex trafficking and pimping online have been shielded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), which states that websites are not liable for third party content. Trafficking victims who have been sold into prostitution through online ads have had no legal recourse against these websites that reaped millions of dollars of profits from the exploitation of those victims, mostly women and girls. 
 
FOSTA-SESTA gives victims who were sex trafficked online the opportunity to sue these websites for civil damages as victims of crimes. FOSTA SESTA will finally allow states, such as Nevada, to pursue charges against problem websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking and hold them accountable. Prior to FOSTA – SESTA, states have been powerless to apply their own laws to unscrupulous websites that profit from the exploitation of vulnerable women and children. States will be able to enforce their criminal laws with FOSTA-SESTA.
 
The only people who will “lose business” under FOSTA-SESTA are owners of websites that knowingly facilitate sex trafficking and promote pimping online. Developing or owning a website that solely solicits sexual acts is not covered under the purview of FOSTA-SESTA. While a small piece of the sex buying market may go to the dark web, the online marketplace has to be accessible to buyers. It cannot thrive if it goes deep underground where people cannot find it.
 
It is also a myth to believe that law enforcement needs Backpage and other sites to find sex traffickers. While not every person in the sex trade was trafficked, the overwhelming majority of prostituted individuals, who in the US are mostly women and girls of color, were trafficked. Prostitution is where sex trafficking occurs.
 
It was an incredible moment when the news about Backpage and the affiliated websites was released.  We all want those sites to stop profiting from the harm of others.  
 
At the same time, those of us in victim services also know that the unintended consequence is that exploited persons will bear the brunt of this.  That doesn’t have to be the case.  Awaken would like to stand in the gap for trafficked/prostituted persons.  Now more than ever, we are here to show ourselves as being available and willing to help those who are displaced by this action.
 
– Melissa Holland

The Awaken Warriors

Posted on by Awaken

My name is Vanessa Dunn (that’s me holding the sign) and I am a Senior at Sierra Nevada College in Incline currently studying International Studies and Humanities. For my service-learning project, I chose to work within Awaken, after learning of the disturbing trend of commercial sexual exploitation cases in the Reno and Lake Tahoe area. Interning for Awaken has widened my perspective on the topic of gender inequality throughout our world and, has fueled me to continue to further my education on combating commercial sexual exploitation while advocating for survivors.

The drop-in center kitchen where we help rebuild lives over shared meals.

As I walk up the gray carpeted stairs to the Awaken drop-in center, I am overwhelmed by the loving climate created by staff. The living room holds a comfy oversized couch, used often to unite one another over shared stories from the week, or to give rest to weary clients. The kitchen holds an overstocked refrigerator filled with tasty favorites, providing sustenance to clients. The door to the fridge is covered with photos of Awaken clients enjoying weekly activities within their community. The bathroom holds a hot shower where clients can bathe, find feminine hygiene products, and fresh undergarments.  The walls hold colorful, vibrant paintings of flowers, inspirational quotes and themed decorations for the month. And at the center of it all, a burning candle symbolic of the survivors who are not yet home.

Clients do arts and crafts on their path toward healing.

The clients at Awaken are fierce, brave, ambitious, and most importantly, they are survivors. I have witnessed the beaming smiles of clients as they share their accomplishments and their tears and anger as they reflect on their past. I’m humbled by their immense courage as they face obstacles ahead. I have heard the heart wrenching stories of abuse, rape, fear, and slander and witnessed the agony it has caused within them.

The clients at Awaken refuse to be broken and are proving to themselves and others that they are not defined by their past upsets. At Awaken, clients create new and meaningful relationships with others, and often work to clear their records of charges that prevent them from securing a reliable job. In workshops, they practice interview skills and create resumes to prepare for future employment.  I have observed their transformations as they strive to become their highest and most authentic selves. Awaken provides a sanctuary for this to happen.

The staff at Awaken consists of twelve women who dedicate their lives to empower victims of sex trafficking. Founded by Melissa Holland and Jen Robinson in 2011, Awaken is a community that truly understands how love can foster healing. The non-profit promotes awareness through education and helps to embolden clients by providing resources and support. Awaken has spearheaded a student-friendly curriculum to help educate youth on the topic of commercial sexual exploitation and the warning signs. I am deeply moved by the efforts of Awaken staff and volunteers as they fight to end sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in our community. I find reassurance in the fact that these women are the leading warriors of this fight, the fight for freedom.

The work of Awaken would not be possible without the support of our community. They need our help in fighting this human rights violation and empowering survivors. If you are interested in learning more about this organization or volunteering for Awaken, you can contact volunteer coordinator, Stephanie Sherman at ssherman@awakenreno.org. I look forward to sharing my next blog post that will highlight Awaken’s monthly celebration nights!

Stay tuned.