Christina came from Philadelphia to Camden a few months ago and asked a stranger for help. He was a frequent meal guest at Cathedral Kitchen so he suggested she join him that day and talk to someone. It happened to be a Monday so the Personal Care service, where we distribute toiletries, socks and underwear was taking place. Instead of selecting items on the personal care order form, Christina wrote, “I ran away and need help” and handed it in.
Gwynn, our dedicated volunteer and leader of the Personal Care service, received the note and passed it along to Beck Giovanni, MSW, CK’s Guest Services and Data Manager. Trained in domestic violence and trauma, Beck invited Christina to come into the office and offered her assistance.
Christina was clearly scared. She told Beck that the people she was staying with always take her money so she left and was now homeless. Beck conducted a screening consisting of a series of questions, such as, “are you being abused or sex trafficked?”, to which Christina replied “no”; but Beck heard some red flags. Christina went on to say the people she was living with would give her drugs and then bring men to the house. Christina did not feel like she could say no to the things they wanted. She felt controlled with no other options.
Beck contacted one of our partner agencies, the SERV division of Center for Family Services, which provides counselling and assistance to victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. A SERV counselor spoke with Christina and confirmed Beck’s suspicion that she was being sex trafficked. The SERV counselor began the process to find a safe house for Christina. Afraid and traumatized, in the meantime, Christina, curled up in a ball to sleep under Beck’s desk.
At 7:30 that night the SERV counselor called to say they located a safe house in Central Jersey and Christina could come that evening. Beck drove her to a meeting spot where they would meet with the SERV counselor.
While they were driving, Christina opened up and shared that she had been treated this way by everyone in her life. Her long history of trauma had created mental health challenges for her. Christina had a nickname for herself when she was forced to do things against her will.
It’s been more than two months since Christina entered the safe house. The SERV Counselor recently reported back to Beck and shared that Christina is doing well. She is engaging in mental health care and working towards stability.
It is rare that in such a short period of time, Christina was able to trust the people she encountered at Cathedral Kitchen. From the meal guest who brought Christina to CK, to the volunteers at Personal Care, to Beck who knew to ask more questions, to the SERV Counselor who was ready to act on the situation, Christina felt safe enough to open up and break a history of abuse and trauma.
Cathedral Kitchen is a place where people know they can get more than just meals. It is a safe haven where they know that we can help.
