A bottle of shampoo. A tube of toothpaste. These are simple things that many folks take for granted.

But they are much appreciated by human trafficking victims on the road to recovery and a fresh start in life.
As part of the hospital’s “No More” campaign, employees of Kaiser Permanente Fresno donated and collected enough personal hygiene products to fill more than 1,000 toiletry bags for Breakings the Chains, a local nonprofit that helps human trafficking victims.
Kaiser officials say that hundreds of employees took part in the drive.
Breaking the Chains valued the gift at $2,500.

A Family Effort

Kristina Palmer, a therapist in Kaiser’s mental health department, enlisted her daughter Ivalinn’s 4-H club help in collecting travel-sized hair and skin products and toothpaste. The 4-H Blossom Trail Club of Clovis filled 60 toiletry bags.

Fresno’s Call to Action on Human Trafficking

“We are incredibly grateful that Kaiser Permanente’s employees made this donation to help our young adult and juvenile human trafficking victims,” said Debra Rush, CEO and co-founder of Breaking the Chains.
“Personal hygiene and cleanliness are vitally important when you have come from something that is so dirty as human trafficking.”
Breaking the Chains is one of about 20 government agencies and nonprofits participating in Fresno Mayor Lee Brand’s recently announced Initiative to Combat Human Trafficking.

Watch: Survivor Helps Other Sex Trafficking Victims Break the Chains

Debra_Rush_Victim_turned_advocate_20171218 from GV Wire on Vimeo.