As we come to the end of 2017, it is only natural to reflect on the year before. This is how it goes at the end of every chapter. What happened? What went well? What didn’t?

This looking back is inevitably also linked to looking forward. What would we like to do better or more of in 2018? What do we want to make sure we hold onto? What should we let go?

We’re doing this right now at My Refuge House. In fact, it feels bigger this year because we’re turning 10 next September. We have more history to celebrate and study. We want to realize a bigger vision.

We teach and create moments for self-reflection with our staff and girls because we know how important it is to development and healing. Taking time to look at ourselves through the lens of a deep and loving truth opens the door for holding and being constructively motivated by our hopes and fears.

The journey toward possibility opens up.

One of the exercises we do through our prevention efforts with iSpeak is similar to what we do with our girls and their families. We ask participants in these workshops to name their hopes and fears. Being able to talk about hopes and fears is critical to having deeper conversations about how we as individuals and as a community can stop human trafficking and sexual violence.

As we anticipate our 10^th anniversary in 2018, our process of reflection and visioning feels a little more established and important. What are our hopes and fears? What are your hopes and fears? Where might we connect with and support you as we turn possibility into reality?

Much Peace, Heather