Bravery and Hope E7
On this week’s episode of Mind Well, host Michelle Jones interviews three powerful women from Dahlia’s Hope. Faith Robles shares her experience as a sex trafficking survivor and founder of this amazing organization designed to provide support and resources to survivors of human trafficking.
We also talk with founding board member Cherstyn Stockwell and current COO Cara Durfee about the extraordinary network that has been developed to provide aftercare and bring hope to sex trafficking survivors. This episode allows us to more fully understand what bravery and hope means.
Listeners who want to hear a tremendous story of hope and bravery will want to tune in to this week’s episode of Mind Well.
Dahlia’s Hope is a non-profit based in Utah that provides holistic aftercare services for survivors of sex trafficking who are ready to create a new life. Dahlia’s Hope is the first program of its kind for trafficking survivors in Utah. The primary goal of the organization is to provider aftercare services to help transition survivors into independent living and self-reliance, meeting each survivor exactly where they are in their own journey. 
Dahlia’s Hope is an organization that was founded by a survivor of sex trafficking, Faith Robles. A few months before her 18th birthday, Faith escaped her trafficking situation after close to 4 years of victimization. Faith spent five years searching for the aftercare services that she needed, with very little success. She dreamed of creating one place where survivors could meet all of their healing needs. In 2019, along with our founding board members, Faith created Dahlia’s Hope, where she, as well as dozens of other survivors, have already received full, wrap-around, aftercare services.
Once a survivor of sex trafficking escapes their trafficking situation, that is just the beginning. The mission of Dahlia’s Hope is to provide outpatient therapeutic services, case management, residential support, life skills training, vocational support, and medical and dental resources to help survivors function independently and successfully into society. Dahlia’s Hope provides a multi-tiered approach to reach individuals in varying stages of recovery. They have a transitional housing program to assist survivors with their housing needs while in their program. Dahlia’s Hope also offers a therapeutic animal farm for survivors to receive animal assisted therapy and a place of solace during their healing journey.
Cara Durfee is the Chief Operating officer for Dahlia’s Hope and is a licensed Clinical Mental Counselor. Cara Durfee has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and professional experience in both mental healthcare operations and administration.
Cara has served as a manager of a Telecrisis Team, Clinical Program Manager, and Clinical Director at previous employment prior to stepping into her role as COO for Dahlia’s Hope. As a clinical therapist and health care administrator, Cara finds deep meaning in improving the lives of trauma survivors.
Cara has made a career out of helping people. Cara became passionate about the global human trafficking crisis in 2020. The opportunities and extensive services available to survivors at Dahlia’s Hope led Cara to join the Dahlia’s Hope team at the start of 2021.
Cherstyn Stockwell and her husband, Matt Stockwell, are founding board members for Dahlia’s Hope. They are the parents of six wonderful kids and they include their family in serving with Dahlia’s Hope.
After graduating from BYU, Cherstyn worked in Washington, DC for ten years, working or members of both the House and the Senate.
Her experience then led her to a Political Action Committee (PAC) in CA and another in Salt Lake City, UT.
She has worked with several nonprofits as Partner and Government Relations Manager as well as Director of Development, now giving her experience to Dahlia’s Hope as the board member over development and donor relations.
Faith Robles is the founding survivor of Dahlia’s Hope. As a young teen, Faith was trafficked from her country to a large US city and forced into sex trafficking. In a moment of bravery, just before she turned 18 years old, Faith escaped her traffickers and began to rebuild her life.
Faith has advocated for other sex trafficking survivors and their needs since she escaped her traffickers. Faith also advocates with ECPAT, shares her story as a public speaker, and creates artwork through various mediums depicting her journey of living through sex trafficking, finding freedom and healing, and creating opportunities for other survivors to heal and receive the resources they need.
Follow Dahlia’s Hope on Facebook.
About Mind Well
Mind Well radio show and podcast is all about connecting with wellness professionals and individuals with unique perspectives about developing wholeness and well being.
We recognize that every individual has the ability to connect to wholeness.
About Our Host
Michelle Jones is the President and Co-Founder of Trauma Integration, LLC.
Michelle is an educator and Certified Trauma Integration Practitioner. She loves truly connecting with people.
Michelle firmly believes in the inherent resiliency within each of us and loves uncovering the light and strength in the people she meets.
About Our Sponsor
Mind Well is sponsored by Trauma Integration LLC. Trauma Integration is an educational company that is passionate about helping people understand their own response to trauma.
We provide resources to individuals and train practitioners to guide clients to mindfully integrate their trauma response and find wholeness within. You can find us at www.integratetrauma.com.
Follow Trauma Integration on Facebook and Instagram.
