Program areas at ZOE
HOUSING AND RELATED SERVICES Of the 13 high-intensity areas identified in the United States by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for child sex trafficking, three are located in California: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego metropolitan areas. ZOE Home for Youth (ZHY) provides specialized, intensive treatment and 24-hour care and supervision for up to 6 youth, ages 12-17, who have experienced Commercial Sexual Exploitation and other slave-like treatment. ZHY supports youth in developing family connections and natural community support. Staff assist youth and families in identifying and cultivating their inherent strengths to aid in their healing process from the impacts of trauma. These relational connections ease their transitions to family-based placement or independent living and promote long-term personal success. ZOE also provides resources, referral services, mental health services, and trauma informed activities to young survivors of trafficking who are in the care of the County's DCFS and Department of Probation. ZOE provides ongoing victim advocacy services for children and their families upon rescue from trafficking or when a social worker suspects a child is being trafficked or at risk of being trafficked.
MISSIONS Jesus said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38). ZOE employs a number of missionaries and their families. Many of our missionaries have joined our anti-human trafficking organization after witnessing children rescued from human trafficking transform into happy and well-rounded individuals. The restoration they witnessed in ZOE children was enough to leave their homes and jobs in the United States to serve as ZOE missionaries in Thailand. Having God's heart for the nations makes us better Christians, resulting in our service to Him growing and expanding wherever He plants us. ZOE is inspiring the church to engage in world missions by teaching at churches, seminars, and conferences; providing long-term missionary training and placement; planning specialized short-term missions; and encouraging continual prayer until every person has heard the gospel.
ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION Through ZOE's Advocacy Program, we serve children and families who have been impacted by human trafficking or are at high risk of trafficking. We are so thankful for our amazing partners who provide opportunities and experiences for the children we serve. ZOE has an advocacy services contract and a placement contract for ZOE Home for Youth (ZHY) with the County of Los Angeles (the County), Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and supports the DCFS in a variety of ways. ZOE supplies resources and gifts and assists in coordinating events for the trafficked children served by the County, as well as conducts human trafficking awareness and prevention events that provide information throughout the County. Engagement activities at the home, include trauma informed, arts-based activities teaching life skills and positive strategies to respond to life challenges. ZOE produces podcasts that we hope will educate the world about the issue of human trafficking. In our podcast "Light in the Darkness" we aim to shine the light on the issue of human trafficking by sharing honest stories of hope and by sharing practical advice that we hope will inspire others to fight for freedom. ZOE is also focused on education and development of knowledge. We create high-quality, educational brochures, videos, and other materials to educate the public about how to protect themselves and their communities from trafficking. Part of the restoration process for the older teens is giving them tools to be able to live a life outside of our home.