Lisa Williams
"My own life experience gave me the passion and energy to fight the evil of sex trafficking of children. Although I cannot rescue all the girls, I can stand beside some of them and be a part of their restoration to wholeness. They know that I understand what it's like to be held at gunpoint, to be demeaned and called unprintable names, to be afraid all the time in your own skin, to be repeatedly violated and tortured and then to be blamed for it all.”
The newspaper story and photo haunted Lisa – a shackled 10 year-old girl arrested and charged with prostitution while those who committed the heinous crime against her were free to continue their criminal activity. Lisa knew she had to take action to help save the lives of sexually exploited victimized children. The avenue to do it had already been paved.
For her birthday eight years prior, Lisa had invited a group of women to her home to acknowledge those who had encouraged her as she moved past the trauma of her childhood. They were asked to bring a friend, no gifts for Lisa, but a gift to bless a woman in transition. Circle of Friends Celebrating Life, began as this initial group of 23 women reaching out to others in need.
When Lisa learned Atlanta was a hub for commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), Circle of Friends launched awareness and fundraising campaigns. Two years later, they opened Living Water for Girls in January 2010. Living Water provides safe refuge and therapeutic and educational services to girls ages 12-17.
Sex trafficking, a multi-billion dollar industry, is second only to drug trafficking. Nearly 300,000 American children are at risk of being victims of sex trafficking.
Lisa inspires a team of 60 volunteers and a staff of 8 as she turned tragedy into triumph. Her stolen childhood is now the catalyst for giving these girls back their lives, their value and their voices. Lisa has established relationships with local and federal law enforcement to build legal cases against those who buy, sell and rape children for profit.
Taking no salary, Lisa spends more than 60 hours a week to ensure the girls are rescued and restored. She has increased awareness in nearly 20,000 people, raised more than $500,000 and logged more than 72,000 miles.
In Lisa's words: “My compensation comes pouring in when I see our girls just being children, when they play hopscotch, when they find joy in planting flowers. My bonus comes every time I hear them giggle, like little girls should do when they don't have a care in the world.”
Richard Goldsmith
Twenty years ago, a modest plumbing supply salesman with an enormous heart read a newspaper article that named Parklane Elementary “the neediest” school in Fulton County, GA. This young salesman, whose name was Richard Goldsmith, decided to drive to the school and meet with the Principal. He asked the Principal what he believed the children needed most. The Principal said that, more than anything, the children needed attention from caring adults.
Richard agreed to return with friends the next Saturday morning; they found an astounding 75 children eagerly waiting for them. He and a friend became School Captains, which were the school principals for Saturday mornings. Two adults per grade became Grade Captains, committed to planning activities and bringing supplies on Saturdays. Soon, more than 150 students were attending Saturday school at Parklane three times a month.
That Saturday school is now The Discovery Program, which has been replicated in many Atlanta schools and communities across the U.S. Some of those who volunteer now on Saturdays were themselves once Parklane students.
Richard still spends his Saturday mornings volunteering at Parklane. Because of him, hundreds of volunteers have contributed to the academic and life success of the students there. He has made a difference in the lives of the students, the school staff, and the volunteers. He has taught all who have served with him a great deal about compassion, commitment and sacrifice.
Tonya Ingram
My name is Tonya Ingram and I’m 18 years old. I grew up in a housing development in the Bronx. My haven was the bedroom I shared with my two younger brothers. It was small and it was crowded, but it was safe. My bedroom was my world and it was enough for me. This all changed when I was twelve. I learned about a Saturday program called Read to Me; it was run by New York Cares, an affiliate of HandsOn Network, at our local community center. That morning, the volunteers walked us to the library where I got my first library card. We spent the afternoon reading together. I felt insecure until I noticed that other kids struggled with their reading, too. They tripped over the big words just like me, but it didn’t seem to matter. The New York Cares volunteers were kind and patient. Through the stories we read, my world began to expand and soon, my bedroom in the Bronx felt too small. I wanted more opportunities, and I still do. By the time I was a junior in high school, I had my hopes set on being the first person in my family to go to college. But there were lots of barriers. Once again, New York Cares was there for me. I applied and was accepted into their SAT Prep program, and for a full school year, I worked with a dedicated team of volunteers getting ready for the exam. Every week, they’d drill me on reading comprehension, vocabulary, and the dreaded geometry. I walked into that test feeling like I owned it, and sure enough, my scores improved. I started learning about schools like Sarah Lawrence, Emory, and Bates, and I became familiar with what is now my favorite word, “scholarship.” With the encouragement of my volunteer mentors, I applied to 13 colleges and got into 11. I am now in my sophomore year at NYU. I may have three more years to go but I’ve already had one graduation: I’ve become a New York Cares volunteer myself, cheering kids on at the same Read to Me project that opened so many doors for me. I’ve come a long way from the shy girl who wouldn’t leave her bedroom. I can’t believe how my life has unfolded. When I look back and connect the dots, I see that New York Cares was there for me the whole time, expanding my horizons and pushing me to succeed. I still keep in touch with the volunteers who supported me over the years. I consider them my mentors and my friends. Thanks to my mentors and to New York Cares, I think I can do anything. I really do.”
