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Sex trafficking victims holding sale to benefit program that helped them

Victims of sex trafficking turning their heartache into hard work, holding a sale to benefit the organization that saved their lives.

Victims of sex trafficking turning their heartache into hard work, holding a sale to benefit the organization that saved their lives.

Partners Against Trafficking Humans is an organization that has saved hundreds of women and children from the horrifying life of sex trafficking.

During the summer, they're busier than ever, so they’re hoping the sale will ease financial burdens and provide services for even more survivors.

"It means freedom to me,” said Barbara Rusing. She was trafficked as a sex worker for most of her life, and was rescued by PATH. "It has done a lot for me. It has healed me through the trauma of being abused as a child, being made to prostitute since I was 18 years-old."

Barbara and other survivors are hoping to help spread the word and make some cash to benefit the organization that gave them a second chance. They're hosting the first survivor-run yard sale.

"We have a lot of kids that are coming to the day center this summer, so we want to make sure we have enough money to take care of them,” explained Louise Allison, PATH's founder.

The kids she's referring to have been sex trafficked and need a safe place to go when class isn't in session.

"The youngest child we have right now is five. We have different classes: art classes, some healing classes, hikes, gardening, and all kinds of fun things planned for the summer and that takes volunteers and money to do it,” Allison went on to say.

If you're wondering what all you can expect to find at this sale, Allison says everything but the kitchen sink.

"We prefer that it's something that will sell,” Allison said laughing.

They've got furniture, clothes, and home goods, but are looking for more donations from the public.

"Everything that they donate they can get a tax receipt for and all the proceeds, every single penny we make during the sale will go to support the day center,” the founder said finally.

And by donating, you're supporting, what Allison calls, the entrepreneurial mind of the center's survivors.

"It feels really really good to be able to help people that are out there that don't know about PATH, so I can be able to help them about PATH and be able to come and get the help they need,” Rushing said finally.

Volunteers are needed to help with collect and sort donations May 10 to 12 and May 14 to 16 during the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The sale will be from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. May 18 and 19.

To donate, contact PATH.

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