Hey friends! Can you believe August is already almost over?!
 
This month we have seen a lot of social media coverage about human trafficking, and with that, we see a surge of people wanting to get involved to "end it." It is encouraging to see the publics' eyes opened and a passion starting in their hearts for victims of trafficking. We want to encourage you to look not only at the issue of sex trafficking as a whole but as "the one." The one person. The one girl. Her story, her struggle, her experience, and her joy. Our God models this for us in scripture:

"What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep and one goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?"
Matthew 18:12

What if you could help one person? Walk with one girl? Cry and rejoice with one child? Encourage one woman? What if we all were intentional with one person? Our impact may be greater with a group of people each working with the one! 
 
As parting words of encouragement: 
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." 
Galatians 6:9
First two Purchased High School Grads!

We are so excited to share that Purchased is celebrating our very first two high school graduates EVER!
Purchased is just over a year old, so this is a huge reason for us to celebrate! Both of these girls were approximately 3 years behind in high school, and were able to catch up within a year (one even graduated high school early)! When handed tools that would allow them to succeed and given a support system of people to encourage them, these girls were able to excel and accomplish an incredibly difficult task. We are so excited for them are and are praying continually for them!
Continuing on During the Pandemic

While the school year is just starting for some, the Purchased Teen Recovery program runs year round! The girls have been working hard on their online classes, and their in-person recovery classes are in full swing!

NEED: Are you good at math?
Particularly Algebra? We need a few more tutors to come in in the mornings Monday-Thursday to assist some of the girls with their math classes! If you are interested, send J'Nissi an email to JNissi@PurchasedLV.com!

Speaking of J'Nissi, during her first couple weeks at the program space she has already added some fun additions to the program! We've been cooking some delicious meals with the girls in a crock-pot to provide more healthy options for lunch time! 

There are so many ways that different gifts and talents can be used in the program space. Whether you have a specific skill (like cooking!) that may be of use, or access to opportunities that these girls don't have, there are so many ways for you to get involved!

Have someone in mind for the program? 
Send us a referral! 
The Purchased Teen Recovery Program takes in girls 12-17 who are identified survivors of trafficking or are highest risk of sex trafficking. 

The girls attend our program 4 to 5 days a week and receive an online education in partnership with Lake Mead Christian Academy, recovery classes, group therapy classes, mentorship, field trips, case management, and more. We assist with transportation if that is a need!

We currently have 3 spots available! 

Do you know someone who may be a good fit for the program? Fill out our referral form here or email J'Nissi (JNissi@PurchasedLV.com) for a PDF version to fill out and send back to us! 
Partner of the Month:
LMCA
Lake Mead Christian Academy

This month we are SUPER thankful for Lake Mead Christian Academy! It's because of them that we are able to use our flexible online school program that allows the girls to catch up in school, even if they're years behind. 

With this new school year starting up in the middle the COVID-19 pandemic, please keep LMCA's students, teachers, and staff in your prayers! To learn more about Lake Mead Christian Academy, visit there website lmca.org!
reclaimed
This pandemic has been hard on many, but it has hit the vulnerable children in our city the hardest. There were already shortages of foster families for teens here in Vegas, but now there's a bigger need than ever.

Have you ever been interested in fostering? Or do you know someone who is? Reclaimed is a program of Purchased in partnership with the Department of Family Services and Fostering Hope that seeks to train foster families about trafficking and trauma so they can become a safe and loving home to a teen girl in need. That foster family will also receive a Care Community and their placement will be enrolled in the full Purchased Recovery program where she'll receive an array of support and services.

If you are interested in learning more, please email Kat at Kathleen@PurchasedLV.com.
Volunteer spotlight
Kathy Sumler
Volunteer of the Month: Kathy Summer!

Here's a word from Kathy, who has been serving Purchased as a mentor, or as we like to call it: a Friendtor! 

"I'm Kathy! I love Jesus. I love watching movies, I love the beach and the mountains. I love to read... really I enjoy lots of things, but mostly I LOVE PEOPLE! I genuinely LOVE TO LOVE PEOPLE! 

My favorite thing about most of the things I do have to do with the people I get to do them with. 

I love the connection, the conversation, the laughter, shared opinions, I love me-to moments, and even the really hard stuff. People make life beautiful and interesting. 

That's what I love so much about being a Friendtor at Purchased.... I get to have intentional time with my Friendtee, learning about who she is and admiring all that she has accomplished in her life. We get to share time which is one of the most valuable resources we have. We get to laugh, I get to learn, and I get to see through a lens not many others do!"

We love you Kathy! Thank you SO much for the way you love on your Friendtee!
- An Update on Volunteer Trainings -

Due to COVID-19, all of our volunteer trainings have been post-poned. Are you interested in serving with Purchased? Fill out this form here and you'll be the first to know once we have a new training scheduled!
prayer requests
Please join us in praying for the following:
  • Our new staff! Pray that they would confident in the work God has called them to do, and that they would bond with the girls in the program quickly and deeply.
  • The home lives for the teens in the recovery program: stable living conditions, support for bio parents, and for more foster families to take in teen girls through Reclaimed.
  • For our volunteers (who are really Purchased family), that they would continually be refreshed by God while serving through Purchased.
  • For our graduates, that they would draw near to God and embrace their new opportunities before them!

If you are interested in joining our prayer team, reach out to Kat at Kathleen@PurchasedLV.com!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are forever grateful for this community!

Lots of love,

Kathleen Khal
Director of Purchased Las Vegas
702.722.4447

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