About our group
Why I Do This Work
My name is Shantel Ortiz, and I am a survivor leader, expert survivor consultant, and mother of four. I know firsthand the deep trauma, fear, and silence that youth endure when they are exploited. I also know the gaps in our systems that should have protected me but failed — untrained adults who missed warning signs, courts and probation departments without trauma-informed practices, and a lack of safe housing that forced too many youth back into the hands of their traffickers.
Rather than let my experience define me, I transformed it into my life’s calling: to be a voice for those who cannot yet speak, to stand in the gap for vulnerable children, and to fight for a future where no youth is left unseen, unheard, or unprotected.
The Urgent Problem
California is the epicenter of human trafficking, with more reported cases than any other state.
The average age of entry into exploitation is just 12–14 years old.
Nearly 80% of referrals in Los Angeles County involve Black or Hispanic youth, and over 60% of victims have histories in foster care or homelessness.
Even when identified, youth often lack immediate safe placements, leaving them vulnerable to further harm.
Every week, I receive calls from young girls still trapped or just finding their way out. They remind me that prevention and rapid support cannot wait.
Our Project: Breaking Cycles, Building Futures
This initiative is survivor-led and designed to close the gaps that put youth at risk. Together, we are:
Training adults — teachers, coaches, probation officers, and caregivers — to spot red flags and respond with trauma-informed care.
Delivering survivor-led workshops to empower youth, build resilience, and let them know: “You are not alone. Your voice matters. Your future is not defined by your past.”
Embedding prevention resources across schools, group homes, juvenile halls, faith communities, and sports leagues to make every youth environment safer.
Ensuring rapid safe housing placements in partnership with Safe House Project and Olive Crest, so no child waits in fear.
Providing holistic support through mentoring, therapy, education, job training, and advocacy so survivors can heal and thrive long-term.
The Impact on Ventura County and Beyond
Your support builds a future where:
Adults across the community are trained to intervene early.
Youth are quickly placed in safe, stable homes.
Prevention is woven into schools, courts, and community programs.
Survivors lead change, shaping policies and mentoring the next generation.
Ventura County becomes a model of prevention, empowerment, and healing — where exploitation is not only addressed but prevented.
Why Your Support Matters
I have dedicated my life to ensuring that no youth experiences what I endured. But I cannot do this alone. Your partnership is the difference between a child being left in danger and a child finding safety, hope, and a future.
Every gift helps us expand prevention, place survivors into safe housing, and train communities to recognize and respond before exploitation happens. Every donation strengthens the safety net that ensures no child slips through the cracks.
✨ Together, we can break cycles of exploitation and build futures full of resilience, safety, and hope.
My name is Shantel Ortiz, and I am a survivor leader, expert survivor consultant, and mother of four. I know firsthand the deep trauma, fear, and silence that youth endure when they are exploited. I also know the gaps in our systems that should have protected me but failed — untrained adults who missed warning signs, courts and probation departments without trauma-informed practices, and a lack of safe housing that forced too many youth back into the hands of their traffickers.
Rather than let my experience define me, I transformed it into my life’s calling: to be a voice for those who cannot yet speak, to stand in the gap for vulnerable children, and to fight for a future where no youth is left unseen, unheard, or unprotected.
The Urgent Problem
California is the epicenter of human trafficking, with more reported cases than any other state.
The average age of entry into exploitation is just 12–14 years old.
Nearly 80% of referrals in Los Angeles County involve Black or Hispanic youth, and over 60% of victims have histories in foster care or homelessness.
Even when identified, youth often lack immediate safe placements, leaving them vulnerable to further harm.
Every week, I receive calls from young girls still trapped or just finding their way out. They remind me that prevention and rapid support cannot wait.
Our Project: Breaking Cycles, Building Futures
This initiative is survivor-led and designed to close the gaps that put youth at risk. Together, we are:
Training adults — teachers, coaches, probation officers, and caregivers — to spot red flags and respond with trauma-informed care.
Delivering survivor-led workshops to empower youth, build resilience, and let them know: “You are not alone. Your voice matters. Your future is not defined by your past.”
Embedding prevention resources across schools, group homes, juvenile halls, faith communities, and sports leagues to make every youth environment safer.
Ensuring rapid safe housing placements in partnership with Safe House Project and Olive Crest, so no child waits in fear.
Providing holistic support through mentoring, therapy, education, job training, and advocacy so survivors can heal and thrive long-term.
The Impact on Ventura County and Beyond
Your support builds a future where:
Adults across the community are trained to intervene early.
Youth are quickly placed in safe, stable homes.
Prevention is woven into schools, courts, and community programs.
Survivors lead change, shaping policies and mentoring the next generation.
Ventura County becomes a model of prevention, empowerment, and healing — where exploitation is not only addressed but prevented.
Why Your Support Matters
I have dedicated my life to ensuring that no youth experiences what I endured. But I cannot do this alone. Your partnership is the difference between a child being left in danger and a child finding safety, hope, and a future.
Every gift helps us expand prevention, place survivors into safe housing, and train communities to recognize and respond before exploitation happens. Every donation strengthens the safety net that ensures no child slips through the cracks.
✨ Together, we can break cycles of exploitation and build futures full of resilience, safety, and hope.
Location VENTURA, California, United States
Focus Areas Advocacy & Social Justice, Boys & Men, Children & Family, Civic Engagement, Community Building, Education, Equity & Equality, Girls & Women, Health, Hunger & Nutrition, International Development, Religion & Spirituality, Social & Human Services
Contact [email protected]
About our group
Why I Do This Work
My name is Shantel Ortiz, and I am a survivor leader, expert survivor consultant, and mother of four. I know firsthand the deep trauma, fear, and silence that youth endure when they are exploited. I also know the gaps in our systems that should have protected me but failed — untrained adults who missed warning signs, courts and probation departments without trauma-informed practices, and a lack of safe housing that forced too many youth back into the hands of their traffickers.
Rather than let my experience define me, I transformed it into my life’s calling: to be a voice for those who cannot yet speak, to stand in the gap for vulnerable children, and to fight for a future where no youth is left unseen, unheard, or unprotected.
The Urgent Problem
California is the epicenter of human trafficking, with more reported cases than any other state.
The average age of entry into exploitation is just 12–14 years old.
Nearly 80% of referrals in Los Angeles County involve Black or Hispanic youth, and over 60% of victims have histories in foster care or homelessness.
Even when identified, youth often lack immediate safe placements, leaving them vulnerable to further harm.
Every week, I receive calls from young girls still trapped or just finding their way out. They remind me that prevention and rapid support cannot wait.
Our Project: Breaking Cycles, Building Futures
This initiative is survivor-led and designed to close the gaps that put youth at risk. Together, we are:
Training adults — teachers, coaches, probation officers, and caregivers — to spot red flags and respond with trauma-informed care.
Delivering survivor-led workshops to empower youth, build resilience, and let them know: “You are not alone. Your voice matters. Your future is not defined by your past.”
Embedding prevention resources across schools, group homes, juvenile halls, faith communities, and sports leagues to make every youth environment safer.
Ensuring rapid safe housing placements in partnership with Safe House Project and Olive Crest, so no child waits in fear.
Providing holistic support through mentoring, therapy, education, job training, and advocacy so survivors can heal and thrive long-term.
The Impact on Ventura County and Beyond
Your support builds a future where:
Adults across the community are trained to intervene early.
Youth are quickly placed in safe, stable homes.
Prevention is woven into schools, courts, and community programs.
Survivors lead change, shaping policies and mentoring the next generation.
Ventura County becomes a model of prevention, empowerment, and healing — where exploitation is not only addressed but prevented.
Why Your Support Matters
I have dedicated my life to ensuring that no youth experiences what I endured. But I cannot do this alone. Your partnership is the difference between a child being left in danger and a child finding safety, hope, and a future.
Every gift helps us expand prevention, place survivors into safe housing, and train communities to recognize and respond before exploitation happens. Every donation strengthens the safety net that ensures no child slips through the cracks.
✨ Together, we can break cycles of exploitation and build futures full of resilience, safety, and hope.
My name is Shantel Ortiz, and I am a survivor leader, expert survivor consultant, and mother of four. I know firsthand the deep trauma, fear, and silence that youth endure when they are exploited. I also know the gaps in our systems that should have protected me but failed — untrained adults who missed warning signs, courts and probation departments without trauma-informed practices, and a lack of safe housing that forced too many youth back into the hands of their traffickers.
Rather than let my experience define me, I transformed it into my life’s calling: to be a voice for those who cannot yet speak, to stand in the gap for vulnerable children, and to fight for a future where no youth is left unseen, unheard, or unprotected.
The Urgent Problem
California is the epicenter of human trafficking, with more reported cases than any other state.
The average age of entry into exploitation is just 12–14 years old.
Nearly 80% of referrals in Los Angeles County involve Black or Hispanic youth, and over 60% of victims have histories in foster care or homelessness.
Even when identified, youth often lack immediate safe placements, leaving them vulnerable to further harm.
Every week, I receive calls from young girls still trapped or just finding their way out. They remind me that prevention and rapid support cannot wait.
Our Project: Breaking Cycles, Building Futures
This initiative is survivor-led and designed to close the gaps that put youth at risk. Together, we are:
Training adults — teachers, coaches, probation officers, and caregivers — to spot red flags and respond with trauma-informed care.
Delivering survivor-led workshops to empower youth, build resilience, and let them know: “You are not alone. Your voice matters. Your future is not defined by your past.”
Embedding prevention resources across schools, group homes, juvenile halls, faith communities, and sports leagues to make every youth environment safer.
Ensuring rapid safe housing placements in partnership with Safe House Project and Olive Crest, so no child waits in fear.
Providing holistic support through mentoring, therapy, education, job training, and advocacy so survivors can heal and thrive long-term.
The Impact on Ventura County and Beyond
Your support builds a future where:
Adults across the community are trained to intervene early.
Youth are quickly placed in safe, stable homes.
Prevention is woven into schools, courts, and community programs.
Survivors lead change, shaping policies and mentoring the next generation.
Ventura County becomes a model of prevention, empowerment, and healing — where exploitation is not only addressed but prevented.
Why Your Support Matters
I have dedicated my life to ensuring that no youth experiences what I endured. But I cannot do this alone. Your partnership is the difference between a child being left in danger and a child finding safety, hope, and a future.
Every gift helps us expand prevention, place survivors into safe housing, and train communities to recognize and respond before exploitation happens. Every donation strengthens the safety net that ensures no child slips through the cracks.
✨ Together, we can break cycles of exploitation and build futures full of resilience, safety, and hope.
Location VENTURA, California, United States
Focus Areas Advocacy & Social Justice, Boys & Men, Children & Family, Civic Engagement, Community Building, Education, Equity & Equality, Girls & Women, Health, Hunger & Nutrition, International Development, Religion & Spirituality, Social & Human Services
Contact [email protected]