Women’s Organization organizes drive benefiting Human Trafficking Survivors

It’s Going To Be Ok Inc. (IGTBOK) brings awareness, help, hope, and healing to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation 

Towels—a simple thing, really—but an important part of cleaning up. Usually, they don’t need to be replaced often. That isn’t the case for Dr. Tonya Stafford Stafford-Manning, founder, CEO, and Executive Director of It’s Going To Be OK, Inc (IGTBOK). The four safe houses Dr. Stafford-Manning oversees in her work against human trafficking were running low. So new towels became the project for Kristine Anderson, a leader for the Relief Society, the women’s group of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Perla Falcon assisted as a point person for delivery, a task she described as “amazing” by the time she finished.

On May 3, Kristine asked for 12 sets of towels from the 9 congregations in her area. By May 5, Perla already had 50, from members in Waxahachie. And more came and came through the end date of May 21. In all colors, bright and white, pinks and purples. Beautiful. By May 29, the day chosen to present the towels to It’s Going To Be OK, several hundred had arrived, too many to count easily but far beyond the request. Dr. Stafford-Manning was thrilled with the response: “Who runs out of towels?” she wondered. “I appreciate y’all!” The organization served 375 survivors in 2021, so she knows a lack is not completely unexpected. Many go to the new homes where the survivors find new hope and safety.

Dr. Stafford-Manning founded It’s Going To Be Ok in 2014. Asked the reason, she says, “It’s my story” –a childhood filled with sexual abuse, trafficking, and, finally, a period of sex slavery after her mother sold her for drugs when she was 14. This Dallas native credits a neighbor with saving her life by asking questions over a period of time. Many outcomes were possible even then. Dr. Stafford-Manning has chosen a role as a rescuer. Her recent WFAA interview has had almost a million views.

Her story, sadly, is not uncommon. As many as 79,000 minors are victims of sex trafficking in Texas, according to a study published by the University of Texas in 2017. Another 234,000 workers are victims of labor trafficking. Just in Texas.

What can be done? The issue is uncomfortable, almost unbelievable. Solutions seem far beyond our day-to-day abilities. The first step is awareness. Michelle Bliss, a member of the same church group as Kristine Anderson, learned about trafficking when her sister sent a YouTube. Information kept coming “like a trail of breadcrumbs,” she explained, until a desire to help blossomed. She now works as a specialist assisting with the task of spreading the word about available resources. The effort is new, but the opportunity to work with Dr. Stafford-Manning is exciting.

It’s Going To Be Ok offers a range of services. Victims are actively searched for, as happened recently with a 15-year-old named Gabrielle. When she was found, Dr. Stafford-Manning sat by her side as the healing process began. The difficult initial contacts— hospital exams, police interviews, court appearances—are necessary. Afterward, a set of completely new clothes, a safe place to live, therapists, and follow-up healthcare providers are all needed.

IGTBOK has a great network of supporters, and it’s growing. Two more safe houses are possible, from generous anonymous allies. An annual gala called Hope and Pearls hasn’t happened since January 2020, but the next one is planned for 2023; almost 600 attended earlier events. Dr. Stafford-Manning hopes it’s “a grand one!” The organization was also instrumental in the passage of Texas House Bill 2290, designating January as Human Trafficking Month. Dr. Stafford-Manning has written a book about her experiences and her organization. She also wrote the curriculum for training programs based on the trauma-informed and trauma-centered model.

Her message is clear and simple: “It’s going to be OK, no matter what, no matter how bleak it looks, it will be OK. I survived, you’ll survive, too. And we’re here. We’re going to find you,” Stafford said after the film Be the One was screened as a message for victims. The state attorney general of Texas required thousands of employees to watch the video to help them understand the fight against human trafficking.

The world can be a difficult, dark place. Some people bring light. Tonya Stafford Stafford-Manning’s amazing smile reflects that light. Parents and teachers, law enforcement and lawmakers, curriculum designers and podcasters—she has worked with them as well as with her survivors. She can use towels, fresh clothes, comforters, gift cards, and much, much more in her battle against that darkness. She doesn’t stand alone. Rescuing is her passion, and she can use our help.