Bridget Perkins, Warrenton resident, is the founder of Higgins Hope, a local nonprofit organization committed to help in the fight to end sex-trafficking. Read about the very personal and inspirational story that led her to start this organization, learn about the prevalence of human trafficking in our local Northern Virginia community, and be empowered by knowing how you can make a difference.
Profile:
Who: Bridget Perkins – Founder of Higgins Hope and Director of Victim Services for the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative
Organization: Higgins Hope, a Christian non-profit organization serving the NOVA area in the fight against human trafficking by providing awareness, prevention and aftercare.
Connect: www.higginshope.org | Facebook | Twitter | Instragram | Youtube
Q&A with Bridget
What is your connection with Warrenton, VA area?
BP: My husband Chris and I moved out here to Warrenton two years ago from Loudoun County. We attend Monterey Church in Warrenton.
Can you tell us about Higgins Hope and its mission?
BP: Higgins Hope is a Christian non-profit organization serving the Northern Virginia area in the fight against human trafficking by providing awareness, prevention and aftercare. While we advocate for all victims of human trafficking, our primary initiatives focus on helping domestic women ages 18-25 who have escaped sex trafficking. We incorporated in January of 2015. In July 2016, we opened our first transitional house and have helped 6 women and 4 children to date.
What inspired you to start Higgins Hope? Describe the moment you said “YES” in your head and heart to make this a reality.
BP: One day I was taking care of my 93-year old mother in her final months of life. She told me a story about when she was young her mother was a single mom. She took in boarders to help pay the rent. One of the boarder’s raped my mother and she felt she couldn’t tell anyone because my grandmother needed the money to pay the bills. This was 85 years ago. I was the only one she had told. I was heartbroken.
After she died, I was reading the Bible one morning. I closed my eyes to reflect on the verse and God gave me a vision. I was to open a home for women who have been forced or have been coerced or been lied to in order to commit commercial sex acts for the purpose of someone’s gain. In other words, women that have been sex trafficked.”
I wasn’t sure what that was and did a great deal of research. I got involved with other organizations that were in the fight and found out the need in our area. I took a leap of faith and opened the doors to the transitional home in July of last year. I said “yes” because I wanted to help women like my mom. Higgins Hope was named after my mother. Her maiden name is Higgins.
There is a local community event on Saturday, February 11 called ‘Lifting Shadows.’ Can you share more about it and Higgins Hope’s involvement? What can attendees expect to learn and see at this event?
BP: I am really excited about the upcoming event this Saturday. It’s an opportunity to learn what human trafficking looks like in our area, specifically Prince William County and Warrenton. At this event, the speakers will be discussing not only sex trafficking and labor trafficking but they will be discussing how pornography, which is so rampant our area and in the world, and how it plays into sex trafficking. The link between pornography and sex trafficking will be discussed but also that pornography is sex trafficking. It’s a time where people can come educate themselves on how to look for signs, what to do when they see something, and how to help in the fight. The speakers are amazing and the information is so vital to keeping, not only adults safe, but our children and grandchildren. (Register for this event).
What is your vision for Higgins Hope in the next year, three, five years?
BP: Higgins Hope is partnering with the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative. I am the Director of Victim Services for them. We, together, hope to spread awareness. To reach more women and children who are in modern day slavery. Our goal is to provide them with services to help them physically, emotionally and spiritually. We want to continue to work with other organizations like Sara Kate Couture that provides art therapy and Sprout Therapeutic and Education center that provides equine therapy and ministries like Esther 4:14. We want to expand to opening a drop-in center for those that just need support and not necessarily housing.
How can the community support this mission?
BP: I heard a quote this past week that struck me as empowering. It is: “Do something you really love to fight something you really hate.” Everyone has a skill or talent. These women need so much, from learning to shop on a budget to learning reading comprehension. We need professional services and the people that know how to do crafts, to those who love to hike and teach exercise. We need those who want to take on an exercise partner.
Most of the women we serve have entered the life at age 12-14. Their teen years have been robbed from them and part of their adult life. We just want to help them become as independent as possible. To feel loved and appreciated. That seems like nothing but it is huge to a woman who has been trafficked.”
If there’s one message on your heart today that you would like to share with iheartwarrenton readers and our local community, what would that message be?
BP: God will call us to do what we think we could never do. If we just say “yes” and let Him guide the work, we will see amazing and miraculous things happen. It is scary and uncomfortable and sometimes very lonely. But when you see His hand touch whatever He has asked you to do,it is all worth it. It truly is beyond anything I could have ever imagined.
Personal Reflection
What are you thankful for today?
BP: My family, my beautiful home in Warrenton and wonderful friends.
What are 3 words you would use to describe yourself?
BP: Passionate, bold, caring.
What motivates you in the morning?
BP: I can’t wait to see what God will do in and through me or people I know.
What has been the biggest reward for you since starting Higgins Hope?
BP: To see women reach out for help and to be there to grab their hand.
What do you know for sure?
BP: That God loves me!!!!!
On Warrenton
What is your favorite meal in Warrenton (breakfast, lunch or dinner)?
BP: Longhorn for dinner because we usually see Kate Smith!
Three words you would use to describe life here in Warrenton?
BP: Quiet, beautiful and friendly.
What other non-profits do you admire in the area? (In other words, who should I go talk to next?)
BP: Esther 4:14, Sit Means Sit dog training in Northern VA.
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Learn more about human trafficking in our community by watching this impactful video. Take action and join Monterey Church on February 11th to learn about the warning signs, dangers and impact of human trafficking in our area. Visit www.montereyministries.com to register for this event. (Note: Registration fee of $10; all proceeds benefits Higgins Hope)
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