Core Values (Our DNA)

1. Story + Lived Experience 

We believe story matters. When you truly see the humanity in a person, it becomes more difficult to sexualize and objectify them. At Treasures, we meet women right where they are—in their story—reminding them that their past does not define their future.

We also recognize that lived experience is a form of expertise. Those who have walked through exploitation and trafficking carry wisdom, insight, and truth that are essential to this movement. Their voices do not just add to the conversation; they shape it.

Because story is sacred, we practice ethical storytelling. Survivors’ experiences are theirs to share—or not share—on their own terms. We honor privacy, protect dignity, and never exploit someone’s pain for impact.

2. Survivor-Led

Being survivor-led means survivors are not tokens or symbols—they are leaders, experts, and change agents who shape the future of this movement.

At Treasures, we:

• Honor survivors as lived-experience experts.

• Empower survivor leadership and contributions at every level.

• Establish thoughtful protocols that support healthy and sustainable engagement.

• Never require survivors to disclose their experiences or share their stories.

• Intentionally seek out learning opportunities/training from lived experience experts and utilize survivor-developed resources. 

• Treasures is dedicated to building pathways for lived-experience experts to join our staff and board when possible, ensuring their perspectives and leadership are woven into the fabric of our organization.

Survivors are multi-faceted, resilient, and full of wisdom.

They are more than what they have endured. At Treasures, we celebrate survivors not just for overcoming trauma, but for the richness of their humanity, the power of their voices, and the unique gifts they bring to the world.

3. Trauma-Informed

At Treasures, our approach reflects nationally recognized trauma-informed principles, including safety, trust, empowerment, collaboration, and cultural humility. Being trauma-informed means seeing and honoring the whole person, recognizing the lasting impact of trauma, and responding with wisdom, compassion, and care. At Treasures, we intentionally shape our practices to create an atmosphere of physical and emotional safety for both our team and those we serve.

This looks like:

• Engaging in Thoughtful, Respectful Conversations
  We choose words with care, honoring each person’s humanity and story. Our language shapes culture, healing, and dignity—which is why we intentionally use empowering, person-centered terms when referring to those we serve. (See Words Matter for our language and terminology guide.)

By avoiding polarizing or triggering topics, we create space where trust can grow and experiences can be shared without fear of judgment.

• Creating Space for Debriefing, Reflection, and Integration
  We build natural pauses into our rhythms for breathing, reflection, and integration. In check-ins, we make space to process experiences so healing and resilience can emerge.

• Respecting Boundaries Around Touch and Proximity
  Because trauma shapes how closeness feels, we honor each person’s comfort with space and touch. We do not assume, and we ensure no one feels pressured or unsafe.

• Asking Permission Before Offering Prayer, Support, or Physical Contact
  Consent is essential for trust. Before offering prayer, support, or physical contact, we ask and honor the answer to preserve dignity and agency.

• Recognizing Trauma’s Reach
  Trauma is rarely only personal. It is often reinforced by systemic injustice, stigma, and relational harm. Being trauma-informed means staying mindful of these realities so we do not add to them.

• Supporting Regulation and Safety
  Trauma lives in the body as much as the mind. We pay attention to nervous system states and offer grounding practices so staff and participants can return to steadiness and clarity.

• Centering Voice and Choice
  Because trauma strips people of control, we restore dignity by protecting agency and choice. Survivors decide what they share, how they participate, and the pace that feels right for them.

• Embedding Trauma-Informed Care in the Organization
  Being trauma-informed extends beyond frontline work. It is reflected in policies, leadership, and organizational rhythms by protecting rest, modeling healthy boundaries, and addressing secondary trauma with the same care we offer those we serve.

At its core, being trauma-informed is about creating spaces where trust, dignity, and healing can flourish.

It also means recognizing that trauma-informed practice is not permission to avoid growth, accountability, or connection. While honoring our own limits, we take responsibility to move through triggers with curiosity and presence, rather than using them as a reason to disconnect. True trauma-informed care fosters safety and belonging, not distance, and calls us toward deeper connection with ourselves and one another.

4. Authentic Community

Authentic community is a powerful force for healing, growth, and belonging.

In safe spaces where people are both known and truly seen, isolation loses its grip. We recognize that much trauma happens in the context of relationships—but we also know that healing is found there, too. At Treasures, our goal is to cultivate an authentic community that nurtures connection, safety, and love—restoring what was once broken.

5. The One

Even in a world where millions are impacted by the sex industry and trafficking, our work will never be “too big” for one person. At Treasures, we believe every life is immeasurably valuable. We would still do what we do, even if it meant reaching only one woman. 

We measure success not only in numbers but in the priceless worth of a single story, a single life touched. While our vision is to make a global impact, our commitment is to serve each woman with excellence, dignity, and love.

“Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.” – Andy Stanley

Cultural Practices (How We Live Out Our Values)

Radical Hospitality: We show up with open hands and open hearts, creating a sense of welcome and dignity. There is always room at the table—and when needed, we build a bigger one.

Excellence with humility: We strive for quality and care in everything we do, while staying grounded in humility, knowing we are on a lifelong journey of learning and discovery.

Collaboration: We believe the best work is done together. True partnerships—within our team and across the community—multiply impact and expand what’s possible. By casting a wide net of collaboration, we ensure those we serve are supported in the most holistic and effective ways.

Inside the organization, collaboration means inviting the voices of key stakeholders—especially those on the front lines and those with lived experience—into decision-making. Every perspective strengthens us, and every voice matters.

Training & Education: We are committed to continual growth, development, and learning. To remain a relevant voice in the anti-trafficking movement, we adapt as new insights and best practices emerge.

What we learn, we share. Through training and education, we equip others with effective tools and approaches that truly empower and support survivors—multiplying impact far beyond ourselves.

Faith-Based with No Faith Requirements: Treasures is a faith-based organization and our values are rooted in this foundation. At the same time, there are no faith requirements for the women we serve to receive support, participate in services, or become part of our community. We also offer optional opportunities for those who wish to explore or deepen their faith, but they are never a condition for engagement or belonging. Our commitment is to provide care, community, and support that honors each individual’s journey. As an organization, our faith shapes our culture and practices. For example, as a team we pray during staff meetings and before outreaches. This rhythm is a natural expression of who we are.

Ethical Storytelling: We protect survivors’ stories, honor privacy, and never exploit personal experiences for organizational gain. We honor survivors’ stories as sacred. Storytelling is to be received, not extracted. We avoid reducing survivors to their trauma by:

• Asking for insights and perspectives, not just trauma details.

• Respecting each person’s choice about whether, how, and when to share their story.

• Using language that dignifies and empowers

• Recognizing that sharing costs something, and that survivors are more than their stories—they are experts, leaders, and whole human beings.

Organizational/Staff Health & Wellness

We recognize the cumulative toll of secondary trauma and intentionally create practices and rhythms that counterbalance its impact. We prioritize rest, protect margin, and ensure organizational growth is sustainable. 

If we seek to empower women to live healthy, flourishing lives, then we too must be empowered to live in health and wholeness. Our wellness is not separate from our mission—it is essential to it.

Relational Norms

1. We choose empathy over assumption and ask clarifying questions when needed. 

2. We prioritize repair and restoration when conflict arises.

3. We honor boundaries, rest, and sustainability as essential to long-term service.