Central Florida service groups work to help young victims of human trafficking heal

ORLANDO, Florida – Two Central Florida service organizations are working to help young girls who are victims of human trafficking.

Images of Glory has been serving the community for over 20 years, but for the past seven years, it has been helping young girls who have been victims of labor trafficking and sexual exploitation not only reintegrate into the community, but also reunite with their families.

“Some of them say they weren’t involved in sex trafficking and they were,” said Katherine Norfleet, CEO of Images of Glory.

Norfleet said his customers were typically between the ages of 12 and 17.

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The organization offers a residential program that aims to enable girls to build a promising future for themselves after healing from the consequences of what they have experienced.

Images of Glory not only provides girls with a safe place to sleep, but also teaches them career planning, life skills and job training, and offers counseling to girls several times a week.

“Their mindset has actually changed and the change is in their minds and we want to release that and teach them something different,” Norfleet said.

The Junior League of Greater Orlando is stepping in to provide more support through its “Find The Good” donation campaign. Through an Amazon Wish List, the group is collecting items such as card games, clothing and hygiene products.

“Our organization is able to give back in a way that we believe is successful, effective and valuable to individuals in our community,” said JLGO President Angela White-Jones.

Although the supply drive ends Sunday, the group's time with Images of Glory is far from over as they will continue to mentor the young girls.

“They're just enjoying it and that's very important to me,” Norfleet said.

According to White-Jones, JLGO enjoys working with organizations like Images of Glory, which provide a positive space for girls who have been through adversity.

“It fills my heart, and it really fills the hearts of our members, to be able to connect with an organization that has been doing this for as long as Images of Glory,” White-Jones said.

If you would like to donate to the supply campaign by purchasing items through Amazon's Wish List, Click here.

If you would like to know more about JLGO, Click here.

If you know someone who has been affected by trafficking or need resources, find more information at Images of Glory can be found here. In addition, the National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888.

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