Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Alvis.
Hi Jason, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
ReHope empowers and elevates survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation through its local, faith-based, trauma-informed residence and recovery programs.
Founded in response to the growing epidemic of sex trafficking, we opened Restoration House of Greater Kansas City in May 2015 – the first 7-acre safe house for adult women survivors – and expanded in 2019 to a 17-acre campus, now the Midwest’s largest residential program. Rebranded as ReHope in 2022, our long-term campus, ReHope Farms, delivers a two-phase, trauma-informed program offering counseling, coaching, holistic wellness, job training/education, reintegration supports, therapeutic farm life, creative arts, and spiritual development. In 2023 we broke ground on a Cottage Community so mothers can live with their children while in care and graduates have transitional housing; the first residents moved in February 2024. In 2024 we also inaugurated the Kansas City area’s only crisis stabilization home, receiving women directly out of trafficking.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road .
The challenges are plenty — funding and support; capacity and having to say “no” due to the need; complying with city and county codes for building and implementing programs.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a retired Army officer that felt compelled by God to work in the anti-trafficking space after my military career. It appears to me that most military officers go into the more kinetic space of interdiction and rescue; but I found myself in the aftercare space. ReHope is essentially the last stop on a survivors continuum before re-entering society after therapy, recovery and rehabilitation.
However, my experience and connections to those who do interdictions and rescue has proved beneficial in being able to talk their language, understand their view and priorities and articulate unique needs in the the aftercare space.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The anti-trafficking field has grown exponentially over the last few years, and will continue to do as it is exposed and highlighted in every sphere of life and nearly every aspect of the work / professional world.
Awareness efforts will continue, but the biggest shift or growth will be in each person’s ability to “see something and say something” with the advent of mobile applications (i.e. Simply Report) and tech companies focusing on deterrence and interdiction at the user level, especially in gaming and chat functions, etc.
Pricing:
- As a 501 C (3), ReHope can always use financial support; and investors that want to own / run our properties; or donors that want to contribute are appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rehope.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rehope
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/rehope
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/rehopeorg
- Other: https://rehopemarket.com
