22 – Succeed Because of What You’ve Been Through, with Rhonda Sciortino

This episode is brought to you by Vanguard University and the Global Center for Women and Justice, who offer an incredible anti-human trafficking certificate. Whether you're a frontline responder, a social worker, in the ministry, a healthcare provider, or simply a community member who wants to help, this program is built for you. Head over to gcwj.org/ahtc to take the next step and apply today. ---Sandie and Dave interview Rhonda Sciortino, keynote speakers for the upcoming gala event on March 1st, 2012. Rhonda is the author of the book Succeed Because of What You’ve Been Through and she joined the podcast to discuss her experience in the foster care system and how she uses that knowledge and experience to help children and child care providers today. Key Points By living out your values and ethics, whether as a teacher, foster parents, or local business owner, you can make a difference in a child’s life. Overcoming her childhood abuse, Rhonda has discovered that God gives every person unique talents and skills that can have a positive impact on others. Community engagement and helping people does not require traveling around the world, but of pinpointing how your skills can help others in need. Children who have experienced physical, mental, and sexual abuse must allowed to process that trauma in a safe environment in order to heal. Resources Rhonda Sciortino EP. 21 – Serving Youth in Las Vegas, with Esther Brown Succeed Because of What You’ve Been Through, by Rhonda Sciortino The Children’s Village Anu Family Services Safe Families Program Love the show? Consider supporting us on Patreon! Become a Patron Transcript Dave [00:00:00] You’re listening to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. This is episode number 22, airing in February 2012. Welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. My name is Dave Stachowiak. Sandie [00:00:28] And I’m Sandie Morgan. Dave [00:00:29] And this is the show where we empower you to study the issues, be a voice, and make a difference in ending human trafficking. Sandie, the last episode, number 21, we had Esther from Las Vegas on with a great perspective on really the in the trenches work she’s doing to end human trafficking. And I’m so glad today that we have another guest with us who is also going to be part of the conference coming up here in March that the Global Center for Women and Justice is hosting. And I know she has a fantastic perspective as well and someone that is just a very inspiring person. I’m so glad that we have her with us today. Sandie [00:01:08] And if you’re listening to this podcast and you want to see her, if you go to gcwj.vanguard.edu and click on the conference and the gala button, you will see a lovely picture of my wonderful friend Rhonda Sciortino, who is also our gala speaker the night before our conference begins on March 2nd. Our conference to Stand Together to End the Exploitation of Girls. And Rhonda brings from her expertise a wealth of knowledge, experience, and personal passion for kids in our child welfare system. So, the interesting connection between what Esther presented to us last week, our last podcast on the kids who are in the juvenile delinquency system, they’re in detention, they’re going to court. Rhonda comes from the other extreme of kids with problems that are in our child welfare system. And we’ve already identified that bridging that gap is really important. We want to intervene before the kids become victims. Dave [00:02:21] And as you listen to Rhonda and Sandie discuss the conference today and some of the issues that both of them have expertise on and ending human trafficking and particularly the exploitation of girls, which is the focus of the conference, you’ll definitely want to check out the conference website and give your advance registration so you can join us in March, March 2nd and 3rd here in Costa Mesa, California. For those of you who are in colder climates, it’s nice and warm here in March. And of course, that website is gcwj.vanguard.edu. And of course, you can always call us with feedback 714-966-6361. Sandie [00:03:03] So, Rhonda Sciortino, welcome to the Ending Human Trafficking podcast. Rhonda [00:03:09] Thank you so much for having me. I love what you do. I love what the center does. I love that Vanguard has the Global Center for Women and Justice. And it’s such an honor to be included here today. Sandie [00:03:24] So let’s dig right into this. And I want our listeners to understand the frame of reference that you bring to this. How old were you when you first became a ward of the court? Rhonda [00:03:37] I was six months old. I don’t have any memory of the day that my mother left, but she left me with a neighbor and asked the neighbor to babysit while she went shopping. But she didn’t go shopping. Her clothes were packed and the car was loaded and she actually moved out of state. Sandie [00:03:56] And so for 16 years, you were in a place where you often felt very alone, you experienced abuse. At some point I think I remember you talking about being homeless. Can you give us just a really short version of what that means? Rhonda [00:04:22] Yes, I ...