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Hope Refuge (Oliverest) describes residential program for sex-trafficked minors and seeks community support
Summary
Sally Cook presented Hope Refuge's residential, trauma-informed program for sex-trafficked minors in the San Valley, described program capacity and outcomes, and promoted an April 26 fundraising event; Dr. Cynthia Matthews urged donations and cited operating and capital costs.
At the April 13 meeting the council heard from Sally Cook, co-founder of Hope Refuge (introduced in remarks as Oliverest Hope Refuge Campus), who described a residential, trauma-informed program serving girls ages 12'18 who have been sex-trafficked. Cook said the remote campus includes an on-site school and counseling services, that the facility serves up to 16 girls and that remote placement helps reduce runaway risk. She described the grooming process that traffickers use, summarized her organization's community partnerships with the district attorney's office and local task force, and said the program has served nearly 100 girls since opening in 2020.
Cook cited several operational outcomes and program metrics: an average program length of about 8'10 months (with some graduates after 15 months), a claim that about 75% of participants complete high-school coursework while in the program, and a program "success" figure she described at roughly 60% for graduates who remain stable after leaving (these figures were presented by the nonprofit as program outcomes). She urged councilmembers and residents to tour the campus and attend a fundraiser, Hope Shines, at Sunstone Winery on April 26.
Public comment from Dr. Cynthia Matthews followed: she urged donations and said the nonprofit's annual operating cost exceeds $5 million and that capital-improvement needs total about $1.5 million. The council and the presenter emphasized the importance of community partnerships, victim services and fundraising to sustain the program.
Quote: Sally Cook described the scale and urgency of the problem: "This really is modern day slavery at its worst," and asked for the council's support in raising awareness and resources.
Context and next steps: Council members praised the program, discussed recent tours of the campus and accepted invitations to see the site. Staff and the nonprofit will continue outreach and fundraising work; the group asked community members to support the April 26 fundraiser and other donation opportunities.
Sources: Presentation by Sally Cook (Hope Refuge / Oliverest), public comment by Dr. Cynthia Matthews, and Q&A recorded in the council meeting transcript.
