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About Selah Freedom

About Our Anti-Human Trafficking Organization

Our History, Leadership and Mission

Selah Freedom is a faith-based non-profit anti-human trafficking organization with the mission to protect children, end sex trafficking and bring freedom to individuals who have been exploited. We tackle issues on both ends of the spectrum by helping support victims and survivors through their recovery phases, preventing future young people from becoming victims while providing more awareness about child abuse and human trafficking to the community at large.

Selah Freedom offers five programs: Prevention, Awareness, Outreach, Residential and Consulting. Selah Freedom provides essential education and support services to those who have been victimized by human trafficking. Selah Freedom operates a residential campus and an Assessment Home.

In addition, Selah Freedom provides the communities of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee, Polk and Pasco Counties with an exceptionally adept team of professionals who offer free education and outreach to area schools, law enforcement agencies and partnering non-profits. Furthermore, through our consulting program, we have assisted over 100 organizations in 35 US States and 5 countries.

Survivors Served
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Youth & Adults Trained
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Serving Survivors of Human Trafficking

Selah Freedom confronts the issue of human trafficking and is upheld as the national and global model on how to bring solutions to trafficking & exploitation survivors effectively. Selah is a Hebrew word that means to pause, rest and reflect. We give survivors a chance to do just that. As a result, men and women in our programs can dream again and discover who God created them to be. We are a faith-based organization, and serve all people without discrimination.

Fighting to Change Human Trafficking Statistics

In 2011, Selah Freedom’s founders discovered the horrifying truth that local children were being bought and sold for sex in our communities – that’s right, American children! What began as the grassroots initiative of women from across the country to be a voice for the voiceless has quickly transformed into a thriving organization with five foundational programs: Prevention, Awareness, Outreach, Residential and Consulting. Selah Freedom closely partners with law enforcement, legislators and influential leaders to not only shed light on the staggering human trafficking statistics, but we are working together to change those statistics by changing lives!

Anti-Sex Trafficking Training from Selah Freedom

Selah Freedom brings human trafficking Awareness and Education to the community and organizations through our speakers bureau team, CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) 101 Course, law enforcement training and organizational consulting. We also advocate for change through legislation. Our Prevention Program equips parents, youth and those who work with them, with the tools they need to avoid being manipulated by a trafficker and successfully prevents them from being commercially sold. Our Outreach Program is active in the jail system and on the street and provides support groups, case management and referral services to victims currently in “the life,” as well as a prostitution court diversion program. We provide Residential Programming for sex trafficking survivors that includes a personalized educational plan, job placement, trauma therapy, life skills, medical and legal assistance and holistic restorative care. As we bring light into the darkness of sex trafficking, we see victims transformed into survivors!

At Selah Freedom we celebrate the diversity of all people. We understand the critical importance of diverse representation of our staff and the youth we serve throughout our conversations, research, outreach and prevention and programs. We are dedicated to expanding our model in diverse communities and advocating for all youth to be included in our work to bring light into the darkness of sex trafficking.

Selah Freedom’s Core Values
  • Ownership
  • Collaboration
  • Gratitude
  • Communication
  • Balance
Selah Freedom’s Spiritual Values
  • Life
  • Integrity
  • Love
  • Prayer
  • Hope
Selah Freedom’s Statement of Faith
  1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God revealing
    the love of God to the world.
  2. We believe that there is one God, existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  3. We believe in the deity and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth and in His
    sinless life.
  4. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
  5. We believe that man and women were created in the image of God in their biological forms.
  6. We believe salvation only comes through Jesus.
  7. We believe God has called us to live out our faith with care for one another and justice for the
    oppressed.

Meet Our Team

Selah Freedom is honored to have survivors on our staff serving in all programs and we are continually adding more.

Contact us today to learn more about how you can get involved in the mission to protect children, end sex trafficking and support our programs.

Laurie Swink

CEO and Co-founder

Laurie Swink

CEO and Co-founder 

Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Clearwater Christian College

Laurie Swink is the CEO and Co-Founder of Selah Freedom. Before Selah Freedom, Laurie had a teaching career that she loved. Then, she learned about sex trafficking. When she realized survivors coming out of sex trafficking were only at the beginning of their journey, not the end, Laurie’s heart was moved to establish residential safe homes where the survivors could receive trauma therapy, educational and career assistance, and the chance to accomplish the life dreams they were created to live. Because of the dedicated team, Selah Freedom has been able to help over 7,500 trafficking survivors. They have trained over 100 organizations in 35 states and 5 countries. In 2022, Laurie was chosen as Bay News 9 Everyday Hero. Then, in 2023 was nominated for the Waves of Change Honoree by The Center for Women and was also chosen for the 2023 Tampa Bay Lightning Hero Award. Laurie considers her work with the survivors a privilege and an honor.

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Samantha Kolb

Clinical Program Director

Samantha Kolb

Clinical Program Director

Bachelor and Masters in Social Work, Florida State University

Samantha Kolb is the Clinical Program Director of Selah Freedom. Samantha graduated from Florida State University earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has over 13 years of experience in the Behavioral Health field, specializing in adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Her passion is to help others by instilling hope and providing care that builds a solid foundation for recovery.

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Misty LaPerriere

National Law Enforcement Liaison and Trainer

Misty LaPerriere

National Law Enforcement Liaison and Trainer

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Human Services, University of Phoenix

Misty LaPerriere works directly with survivors of human trafficking, trains law enforcement and the Judicial System, while also providing certificate completion for law enforcement. Misty is a survivor, and has also worked with survivors for over a decade. Misty is designated as a Victim Service Practitioner through the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute for Human Trafficking with the Attorney General’s Office. Her certifications include the following: 2022 Human Trafficking Summit from the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Certified Advanced Gang Specialist from the Florida Gang Investigators Association, and she is a subject matter expert for FDLE.

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Kristina Galvan

HR Director

Kristina Galvan

HR Director

Associates in Business Management, SNHU 

Kristina became aware of human trafficking issues through a local Christian radio station. With the knowledge of this happening in our own backyard she could never again pretend that she did not know. Kristina applies her 10+ years of HR experience to provide support and resources to the employees of Selah Freedom. She holds two HR certifications, the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM-CP) and serves on the board of the Sarasota-Manatee HR association to support fellow HR professionals with their continuing education.

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Alexis LaRocca

Digital Marketing

Bachelors in Professional and Technical Communications, University of South Florida

Although a native of Pennsylvania, Alexis claims Florida as her home where she learned about the realities of sex trafficking and its occurences here in the United States. Alexis uses her creativity and knowledge to spread awareness about this pressing issue. She enjoys implementing her skills in graphic design, visual communication, writing, video making, and content creation. She focuses on Selah Freedom’s social media and all around marketing efforts.

Sarah Frazer Piskor

Grants Director

Sarah Frazer Piskor

Grants Director

Bachelors of Arts, DePaul University, Dominican University Graduate School of Social Work 

Sarah Piskor joined Selah Freedom in 2016. She has held leadership roles in multiple programming arms of the organization including Residential, Prevention, and Grants. Sarah comes with 15 years experience in the Social Work and Mental Health fields. She currently oversees the Grants’ department and is responsible for managing all of the state and federal grants that support Selah Freedom, as well as numerous private, foundation grants, and contracts. Sarah is passionate about working in the anti-sex trafficking field and witnessing Selah’s impact has on young women’s lives and in the community.

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Jenna Everhart

Finance Director

Jenna Everhart

Finance Director

A.A. in Accounting, State College of Fl, B.A. in Homeland Security, American Military University

Jenna has over 15 years’ experience in the accounting field. After serving as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst with the Army National Guard, she wanted to continue to give back to her community.   Her passion for service, wanting our communities to be safe, and her accounting skills brought her to Selah Freedom in 2020 to help contribute to end sex trafficking.

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Beth Latta

Operations Manager

Beth Latta

Operations Manager

Bachelors of Science in Human Services with a concentration in Addictions, Springfield College

Beth has over 12 years experience working in social services and has a passion for empowering survivors to reclaim their lives.

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Rebecca Cross

Awareness and Development Manager

Rebecca Cross

Awareness and Development Manager
 
Rebecca Cross comes to Selah Freedom with over 20 years of non-profit leadership and development experience. She is also an International Coaching Federation (ICF) ACC credentialed life coach. Rebecca is also a John Maxwell Team (JMT) certified coach, leader and speaker. Her passion for helping women "recover their value, discover their voice and encounter their victory" led her to Selah's mission to end sex trafficking and bring freedom to the exploited. 
 
In her free time, Rebecca enjoys singing with the Venice Chorale and the Venice Presbyterian Church choir and worship team, coaching, spending time with friends, and hanging out with her two rescue cats.
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Andie Adrian

Community Awareness Liaison

Andie Adrian

Community Awareness Liaison

 

Andie Adrian serves as the Community Awareness Liaison for Selah Freedom in Pinellas County, proudly supporting the community she grew up in through survivor advocacy and education. A Pinellas local and graduate of the University of South Florida, she has been involved in anti–human trafficking work since college and brings a strong foundation in business analytics, program coordination, and trauma‑informed outreach to her role. Andie works to strengthen partnerships, expand awareness, and advance Selah Freedom’s mission to end human trafficking.  

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Amanda Born

Community Awareness Liaison

Amanda Born

Community Awareness Liaison

 

Amanda Born serves as our Sarasota and Manatee county Community Awareness Liaison. Amanda's heart for sex-trafficking began in 2020 when she saw the movie The Sound of Freedom. Once the reality of sex-trafficking set in for her, she knew she had to do something. She had the opportunity to work with 2 international anti-trafficking organizations in Thailand and the Philippines. Now she is honored by the opportunity to help end trafficking here in Florida. Amanda loves having the opportunity to connect people and resources to a mission that is so worthy of investing in.

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Marilyn Garcia

Community Awareness Liaison

Marilyn Garcia

Community Awareness Liaison
 
Marilyn Garcia, BSHS serves as the Hillsborough Community Liaison for Selah Freedom, building strategic partnerships and leading community outreach efforts to prevent human trafficking and support survivors. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and advocacy, she is passionate about connecting people and resources to create lasting impact.Throughout her career, Marilyn, helped launch a community school, served on nonprofit boards, and worked extensively in community development and advocacy.Marilyn is honored to serve alongside the Selah Freedom team in the mission to end sex trafficking and exploitation while bringing hope, healing, and restoration to survivors. 
 
In her free time she loves working out and helping women live a healthy lifestyle and most of all spend time with her loved ones. 
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Gabrielle Triplett

Awareness & Volunteer Advocate

Gabrielle Triplett

Awareness & Volunteer Advocate

Associate in Arts

Gabrielle Triplett is not only a survivor of sex trafficking, but also a Selah Freedom Graduate. Upon graduating the program in 2019, she continued to grow and flourish in all areas of her life. While working in the private sector she realized her heart had never left Selah Freedom. Grateful for the transformative impact the organization had on her, Gabrielle eagerly returned to contribute her expertise. Equipped with an Associates in Arts Degree and accreditation in Volunteer Management, she serves as a valuable asset to Selah Freedom's Awareness Team.

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Leanne Baker

Event Coordinator

Leanne Baker

Event Coordinator
 
Leanne has spent more than 18 years honing her craft in the world of large-scale events. From elaborate birthday parties to weddings and women's gatherings alike, she has always been passionate about creating meaningful spaces for people to come together and celebrate all of life's occasions. 
 
As the coordinator of events at Selah Freedom, her heart is to serve both survivors and the community at large through the gift of creativity. Leanne places a high value on this area of outreach and ensures each space she's entrusted with is crafted with excellence.
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Tricia Conner

Digital Marketing Specialist

Tricia Conner

Digital Marketing Specialist

Bachelor of Arts in Photography and Multimedia Communications

Tricia has 20+ years experience in social media, graphic design, website management, photography, videography and digital communications. She began her career developing and launching the PhotoPass service at Disney. Since then, she gravitates to and has a passion for utilizing her skills with faith-based organizations like churches and non-profits, particularly those with causes close to her heart. Tricia found out about Selah through a local Christian radio station and is thrilled to be able to bring awareness to the community and make a difference in the lives of survivors. In her free time, she loves to read fantasy books and organize socials for her After29 Life Group that she leads at her church, where she also serves on the Tech Team.

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Andrea Martone

Public Relations Consultant

Andrea Martone

Media & Public Relations

 

Andrea Martoneis the Director of Communication for Selah Freedom. In this role, she leads local, statewide and national efforts to raise media awareness about the growing pandemic of sex trafficking of American youth, recognizing that Florida ranks as the third-highest state for trafficking cases. Through strategic media outreach, advocacy campaigns, and public education initiatives, she amplifies the voices of survivors and works to mobilize communities toward prevention and action.

Martone’s career spans journalism, public relations, and nonprofit advocacy. Before joining Selah Freedom, she served as Editor in Chief for one of Long Island’s largest newspaper chains and later as an editor with the Sarasota Observer Newspaper Group, sharpening her storytelling skills and commitment to community issues. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Vice President with leading public relations firms in New York City, directing national campaigns and building high-profile media visibility for clients across diverse industries.

Nineteen years ago, Martone relocated to Sarasota, where she has continued to combine her communication expertise and passion for social justice. Today, she is regarded as a powerful advocate for ending sex trafficking and restoring hope for survivors, bringing both local and national media attention to one of the most urgent human rights crises facing the United States.

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Hilda Arreola

Southeast Prevention Coordinator

Hilda Arreola

Southeast Prevention Coordinator

Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, The University of Tampa

Hilda Arreola is a graduate of the University of Tampa where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Upon graduating, Hilda worked in Behavioral Health at a community health center where the vast majority of patients were Hispanic. Hilda was able to see first-hand how the Hispanic community was and is in direct need of individuals who are able to bridge the language barrier to provide education and advocate for them. Her passion for reaching out to the Hispanic community only continues to grow in her current role at Selah Freedom. Hilda delivers presentations in Spanish and English as she works with youth in kindergarten through twelfth grades as well as adults to raise awareness about human trafficking.

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Kassandra Alvarado

Midwest Prevention Coordinator

Kassandra Alvarado

Midwest Prevention Coordinator

Bachelors in Psychology with minors in Management and Criminal Justice, Governors State University

Kassanda Alvarado is the Midwest Prevention Coordinator for Selah Freedom. She attended Governors State University where she received her Bachelors in Psychology, as well as where she also received 2 Minors, in Management and in Criminal Justice. Prior to joining the team at Selah Freedom, Kassandra worked as a Spanish Interpreter primarily for elementary school youth. Kassandra’s passion has always been to help survivors of human trafficking and hopes that with work done by the Prevention team that she can help raise awareness to the realities of sex trafficking.

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Nicole Dolack

Outreach Coordinator

Nicole Dolack

Outreach Coordinator

Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Investigative Services and Minor in Psychology and Master’s degree in National Security, University of New Haven

Nicole Dolack is the Outreach Coordinator of Selah Freedom. She graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, a concentration in Investigative Services, Minor in Psychology, Certificate program in Victim Services Administration, and a Master’s degree in National Security. She is designated as a Victim Services Practitioner through the Florida Crime Prevention Training Institute with the Attorney General’s office. With a lifelong passion of women’s empowerment and the virtue of freedom, Nicole has always been motivated to build her education and career around combatting sex trafficking. She takes pride in her role in TYLA (Turn Your Life Around) Court, which gives survivors a unique opportunity for a second chance to change their lives.

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Lacy Wilcox

Outreach Coordinator

Alice Mercer

Empowered Living & Independent Living Coordinator

Alice Mercer

Empowered Living & Independent Living Coordinator

 

Alice's journey with Selah began in 2022 when she was a resident of the program and experienced firsthand the courage and resilience it takes to rebuild a life. She came on staff in 2024 as an Advocate at our assessment home, she then transitioned to Case Manager at our Long Term Residential Program. In January 2026, Alice stepped into the Empowered & Independent Living Coordinator, where she uses her own experience to guide and support survivors as they transition to Independent Living and long term success. Alice believes that every survivor deserves the opportunity to thrive and is dedicated to creating pathways that foster hope, growth, and self-sufficiency. She is honored to be a part of the mission that transforms lives and strengthens futures.

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Morgan Hojnicki

Long Term Residential Coordinator

Morgan Hojnicki

Long Term Residential Coordinator

Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, Eckerd College

Morgan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and a Minor in Marine Science from Eckerd College. She first learned about human trafficking while doing a study abroad program in Cambodia where she saw exploitation first-hand. When she learned that human trafficking was (and is) happening both interntionally and locally, she searched for a way to help at home (in the United States). Morgan learned about Selah Freedom while attending a related course as a local organization that brings light to the darkness. She landed an internship in the Assessment House. Morgan fell in love with their mission, passion, and the individualized approach to walking alongside their women on their journeys towards recovery. Morgan is currently the ELP/ILP Coordinator at Selah Freedom She continues to have the best experiences working alongside an incredible team of advocates and volunteers. Morgan is also a guest speaker and Assistant Professor for the Human Trafficking and Global Children’s Issues course at Eckerd College working alongside her mentor, Nancy Janus.

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Patricia Roque

Long-Term Residential Coordinator

Patricia Roque

Long-Term Residential Coordinator

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Magna Cum Laude, University of South Florida

Patricia Roque serves as a Long-Term Residential Coordinator at Selah Freedom. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. Prior to joining Selah Freedom, Patricia spent eight years working with children and families through the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), where she developed a passion for serving vulnerable populations and supporting individuals through life's challenges.

Patricia was drawn to Selah Freedom because of its mission and its faith-based foundation. She appreciates the organization's commitment to meeting survivors where they are and supporting them with compassion, respect, and individualized care. In her role, Patricia enjoys walking alongside survivors on their healing journey and helping create a safe, supportive environment where they can grow, build confidence, and work toward their goals.

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Angelea Valenti

Assessment Coordinator

Angelea Valenti

Assessment Coordinator

Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurial Principles at Manatee Technical College

Angelea Valenti is a sex trafficking survivor, a Selah Freedom program graduate, and now an Assessment Coordinator. Over the past few years being on staff, she has grown exponentially both personally and professionally. She is honored to be on staff and watch beautiful transformations unfold. She loves empowering survivors like Selah Freedom empowered her. Selah Freedom is a healthy environment that promotes growth and change for all.

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Sydney Smith

Assistant Assessment Coordinator

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