Dragonfly in the News

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Dragonfly Home will host their 5th Annual Crown of Beauty Gala virtually on Thursday, September 24, 2020, 7:00-8:30 PM. The event will benefit Dragonfly’s services for victim-survivors of human trafficking in Oklahoma City.

“Human trafficking doesn’t stop for pandemics, and can actually thrive in times of crisis,” said Whitney Anderson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Dragonfly Home. “We pivoted to make our gala virtual so we wouldn’t miss a beat in raising funds that enable us to continue serving human trafficking survivors here in Oklahoma.

The virtual gala will feature keynote speaker and human trafficking survivor Rebecca Bender. Ms. Bender is a survivor leader, author, and nationally recognized expert on human trafficking. She will share her story of exiting human trafficking after six years of exploitation and her path to recovery, as well as her view on supporting local organizations serving victim-survivors of human trafficking.

“Rebecca Bender provides an important and inspiring survivor perspective of human trafficking,” said Anderson. “She speaks about the reality of survivors’ experiences after exiting human trafficking and the kind of support they truly need to recover, all while dispelling myths about human trafficking.”

The gala will also feature an original spoken word performance by Deanne Brodie-Mends, a musical performance by Cece Jones-Davis, and a message from Oklahoma City mayor, David Holt. The Dragonfly Home will present a program highlighting their Human Trafficking Crisis Center and 24-Hour Human Trafficking Helpline. Dragonfly will also premiere a mini documentary telling the story of a child sex trafficking victim-survivor who received assistance at Dragonfly.

“Now more than ever, people in the community are telling us that they want to get involved in the fight against human trafficking on a local level, but they aren’t sure where to start,” said Anderson. “Attending or sponsoring our Crown of Beauty Gala is a great first step toward learning about what we’re doing to help survivors of this crime right here in Oklahoma City and how to take action alongside us.”

The 5th annual Crown of Beauty Gala is presented by David and Lezlie Hudiburg and Hobby Lobby. The gala will take place virtually via YouTube on Thursday, September 24, 2020, from 6:00-9:00 PM. The virtual event will be available for ticket holders to view until 10:00 am on September 25. Gala Tickets are $25 and come with a link to view the gala. VIP Gala Tickets are $100 and include a Gala Gift Box featuring a floral crown, a recipe and mix-ins to create the gala’s signature cocktail or mocktail, a custom-made gala cookie, an exclusive gala art piece, and more.

Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $20,000, each with benefits including tickets and marketing opportunities.

To purchase tickets to the Crown of Beauty Gala, as well as learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.thedragonflyhome.org/gala.

About The Dragonfly Home

The Dragonfly Home specializes in serving victim-survivors of human trafficking, providing comprehensive, trauma-informed services geared specifically toward their needs. Through their Human Trafficking Crisis Center — the only program of its kind in Oklahoma — Dragonfly has served hundreds of victim-survivors of sex and/or labor trafficking and fielded thousands of calls to their 24-Hour Human Trafficking Helpline since November 2016. Dragonfly is Oklahoma City’s only state-certified non-profit serving victim-survivors of human trafficking. Read more at thedragonflyhome.org.

About Rebecca Bender

Rebecca Bender, MACT
CEO & Founder Rebecca Bender Initiative
Author, In Pursuit of Love, Roadmap to Redemption

Rebecca Bender is the founder and CEO of the Rebecca Bender Initiative (RBI). She is an
award-winning, nationally recognized expert on human trafficking. After escaping nearly six
years of modern-day slavery, she wrote her first book, Roadmap to Redemption, followed by
her recent curriculum Elevate. RBI’s advanced trainings have equipped FBI, Homeland
Security, local law enforcement, medical professionals, service providers, and faith
communities across America. Rebecca serves as an advisor to both the Oregon D.O.J. Human
Trafficking Council and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. She is also the recipient
of the Female Overcomer Award, Unlikely Hero Award, Hero to our Generation Award and
multiple FBI and Congressional recognitions. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant
and has been featured on the Today Show, NBC Deadline Crimes, Forbes, Huffington Post,
and Sports Illustrated. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their four
daughters and just completed her master’s degree from Bethel Seminary.
www.rebeccabender.org

###

Media contact:

Whitney Anderson
(405) 212-3378
whitney@thedragonflyhome.org

Oklahoma City’s Dragonfly Home serves all survivors of human trafficking through unique programs that cultivate hope after crisis.

“When survivors of human trafficking enter The Dragonfly Home — the state’s first and only state-certified human trafficking crisis center — they walk into an inviting space with pops of color and encouraging wall decor. The foyer, located inside a nondescript and unmarked building in Oklahoma City, sets the tone for those coming out of a crisis — it is a place of refuge.

“We offer a place where the peace and the hope are palpable,” said Whitney Anderson, executive director of The Dragonfly Home. “They can feel safe for the first time in a long time. There are people who are willing to help and meet them right where they are without any judgment.”

Read more: Gazette_05_20_18

See article and video: Oklahoma Gazette

“A crisis center for victims of human trafficking will expand its services this fall by opening a metro-area shelter for women who have been abused in the illicit sex trade.

The Dragonfly Home, which opened Oklahoma’s first and only state-certified human trafficking crisis center in November 2016, plans to open Oklahoma City’s only state-certified sex trafficking shelter.

Anderson and her team have 20 years of combined experience working with human trafficking survivors. On Nov. 23, the nonprofit became the first state-certified human trafficking crisis and restoration center, when the Oklahoma attorney general’s office gave its stamp of approval.”

Read more: Oklahoman_04_19_18

See article: NewsOK.com

Dragonfly Home in Oklahoma City helps victims of human trafficking

“’One rule for the game that pimps follow is that you leave with nothing,’ said Whitney Anderson, co-founder and executive director of the Dragonfly Home Human Trafficking Relief and Restoration Center. ‘That’s what we’ve seen as service providers. They come in with typically nothing.’

Anderson and her team have 20 years of combined experience working with human trafficking survivors. On Nov. 23, the nonprofit became the first state-certified human trafficking crisis and restoration center, when the Oklahoma attorney general’s office gave its stamp of approval.

Since then, Dragonfly has received dozens of calls, provided emergency transportation for victims and taken in several survivors seeking to leave the illicit trade.”

Read more: Oklahoman_12_25_16

See article and video: NewsOK.com

Accion Oklahoma | Dragonfly Home

“Recientemente abrió sus puertas una organización sin fines de lucro que busca ayudar a víctimas y sobrevivientes de trafico humano. Conozcamos un poco más de esta organización.

Con más de 20 años de experiencia Whitney Anderson y su equipo decidieron abrir Dragonfly Home un lugar donde pueden ayudar a víctimas de trafico humano.

‘Nosotros queremos ayudar crear mas concientización sobre el trafico humano porque nosotros nos dimos cuenta que varias persona no estaban recibiendo la ayuda que necesitaban.'”

Read more: UnidosOk_12_28_16_

See article and video: UnidosOk.com