What if the most powerful thing you could do for someone is simply slow down, be present, and give them the space to share their story?

Storytelling has the power to change perspectives, build connection, and help us see people beyond the assumptions we make about them. But telling someone's story comes with a responsibility to listen carefully, create a safe environment, and honor the person behind the story.

In this episode of Everyday Advocate, Jessica Evans sits down with Josh and Morgan Chitwood of Chitwood Media to explore the heart behind their documentary-style filmmaking and their approach to telling meaningful stories. After partnering with Allies to create a video highlighting the relationships between mentors and young survivors of trafficking and exploitation, they share what made the project so meaningful and what they learned from the young women who trusted them with their stories.

This conversation is a reminder that every person has a story worth honoring.

FAQ:

How can you create a safe environment for someone to share their story?

Start by building rapport, being fully present, asking open-ended questions, and allowing the conversation to develop naturally. Creating trust takes time, and people should never feel pressured to share more than they are comfortable sharing.

Why is storytelling important for nonprofit organizations?

Storytelling helps nonprofit organizations communicate the impact of their work through the experiences of the people they serve. It allows supporters to see the human connections behind a mission and understand why the work matters.

How can mentorship make a difference in the lives of trafficking survivors?

Mentorship provides opportunities for survivors to build healthy relationships, experience consistent support, and develop meaningful connections with someone who genuinely cares. Sometimes, the most important part of mentorship is simply showing up and being present.

Video we recommend checking out next:

https://vimeo.com/1190172779

Visit Chitwood Media:

https://www.chitwoodmedia.com/

Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LOVE. RESPECT. COMMUNITY

In this best of episode sharing our journey through the Allies story, Sarah Christofis joins Jessica to reminisce on the early days of Allies (known then as Purchased) and how God used a group of friends with a lot of passion and love to build something bigger than themselves through a lot of trial and error.

Episodes we recommend checking out next:

84 - Treading the Water Forever with Jamie Hergott *Best of Episode*⁠86 - Rumbling Well *Best of Episode*⁠Allies is 15 years old!!

Join us in celebrating by creating a fundraiser page or donating directly at:

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/15anniversary/

Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LOVE. RESPECT. COMMUNITY

Allies empowers survivors of trafficking & sexual exploitation through mentorship and family support

Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Allies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about programs and ways you can support. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Donate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/donate/⁠⁠

What if human trafficking is happening in places you visit every day, including the airport? In this episode of the Everyday Advocate, Jessica Evans sits down with Cynthia Schwomeyer, Community Outreach Program Manager for the Indianapolis International Airport Police Department, to talk about the intersection of human trafficking, crisis intervention, and community awareness.

Hear about Cynthia’s work building partnerships and providing training at the airport, a special opportunity she created for Allies mentees, and the faith and hope that continue to sustain her through years of working with people in crisis.

What You Will Learn:

Why human trafficking can happen in places we may not expect, including airports.

What Cynthia looks for when identifying potential trafficking situations.

Why trafficking indicators are about behaviors and circumstances, not race or gender.

How traffickers can be people victims know and trust.

The four types of indicators Cynthia looks for: control, physical appearance, prostitution, and risk factors.

Why everyday travelers should not confront a suspected trafficker themselves.

How airport employees and travelers can report concerns safely.

How education and training can help airport staff recognize potential trafficking.

Why partnerships between law enforcement, service providers, airlines, and community members matter.

How hope and faith can sustain people who work with trauma and crisis.

Why everyone has a role to play in addressing human trafficking.

FAQ:

What are common signs of human trafficking at an airport?

Possible indicators can include someone avoiding eye contact, appearing fearful or controlled, not knowing where they are going, or having another person speak for them or control their identification and travel information.

What should I do if I suspect human trafficking at an airport?

Trust your instincts and report your concerns to airport staff or law enforcement. Do not approach or confront someone you suspect may be a trafficker.

Should I approach someone I think may be experiencing human trafficking?

Not if another person who may be controlling them is present. Instead, alert airport staff or law enforcement so trained professionals can respond.

Episodes we recommend checking out next:

85 - How to Recognize Human Trafficking, Abuse, and Red Flags with Eskenazi Health

68 - Unveiling the Truth: Human Trafficking, Strip Clubs and Unconditional Love

Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LOVE. RESPECT. COMMUNITY