.jpg){kind=small}
The Friendship Project Welcomes You
Welcome to our nonprofit organization! We are dedicated to supporting mentally vulnerable adults in finding safe spaces and meaningful connections. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels valued, understood, and empowered. Thank you for being a part of this important journey with us!
Our Journey became our mission
Our daughter is intellectually/mentally delayed was a victim of sexual exploitation/ sex trafficking. We were able to rescue and bring her home. however, the trauma didn't stop there Over the past few years we have battled to protect her while helping her heal. Now we strive to bring awareness and change in laws in order to protect or most vulnerable.
​
What We Do
Fight against sexual exploitation of intellectually / mentally delayed adults
Local Empowerment
Making Change Possible
Capacity Building
Change for the Better
Economic Development
Transforming Lives
How our family is turning tragedy into change
Here at The Friendship Project , we are driven to do our part in making the world a better place. Since 2020, we have taken part in a wide range of activities that empower intellectually / developmentally delayed individuals in our communities. We strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact with all of our pursuits. Are you ready to join us and create real transformation in the lives of so many?
Part of our healing is giving back to our community and here are a few ways we have done that
During our first year we were able to help 5 families have an extra special Christmas !
We have been able to provide care bags and hot meals for our local homeless.
We have had numerous friendship outings to build strong support groups!!!
And, Were just getting started
From Idea to Reality: The Evolution of The Friendship Project
it was 2018 our family had just found out our mentally disabled adult daughter was a victim of what we were being told was a form of sex trafficking. During the next 3 years and our daughter being taken from our home 4 times, we found out without certain court documents taking our daughters rights away that there was'nt much we could do to protect our daughter because she had left on her own and from everything she was telling the police she wanted to be with these men.
What law enforcement isnt trained to understand is that Katrina is 25 with the mentality of a small child. The people who took her used mental manipulation to make her believe she was doing the right thing.
My first goal was getting our daughter home safe and finding away to keep her safe. This would take almost 2 years of her being taken,our family being harassed by the family of those who took her.
After I did these things I made a promise that no family will ever have to fight this alone , I will make it known that this is going on and hopefully be able to change laws to protect our peeps.
IN 1 year we have become a legal 501c3 and have helped over a dozen families.
Our family now needs your help to continue our mission
​
In a moment of desperation while my daughter was missing, I found myself praying in a Publix parking lot. It was then that friend told me to get u off the ground and invited me to church. She didn't know I had never really been to church but always knew Jesus and wanted to be baptized. When I explained this to her she informed me it was baptism weekend so I signed up. The following day we went to church where I was excitedly next in line to be baptized. Just as I prepared for this significant moment, I received a call from the detective with the news I had been longing for—my daughter, Trina, had been found. The blend of hope and relief that moment was indescribable. Once Trina was home she was baptized at the same church about a year later
​
Donate
Your donation will go to helping us support our Intellectually \ developmentally delayed who are facing or have faced sexual exploitation. We aim to be a place they can go to find support, to share resources and information for both them and their families , a place where they can build healthy friendships and lifestyles. A huge part is to provide a place where our peeps feel like they are an important part of our society.