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What Does a Calling to Serve Look Like in Action?

What Does a Calling to Serve Look Like in Action?

Aug 13, 2026

At JusticeMatters, our work is rooted in values of justice, excellence, trauma-informed care, community, and celebration. Our team lives out these values every day as they support our clients through difficult seasons, showing up for our neighbors and drawing inspiration from their resilience.

In our latest video, hear from Senior Immigration Staff Attorney Taylor Reynolds as she shares the “why” behind her work. Taylor discusses how her sense of calling inspires her to serve our immigration clients and extends a heartfelt thank you to the JusticeMatters community for making this mission a reality.

 

 

Marisol’s Journey

Aug 13, 2026

Dear friends,

Today, we have the tremendous opportunity to hear directly from a JusticeMatters client named Marisol*. In her letter, Marisol shares about her experience surviving human trafficking and the ways that JusticeMatters’ legal representation opened up a world of possibilities for her and her children. We are in awe of Marisol’s courage, determination, and joy as she tells her story and continues to help her family flourish.

Please join us in celebrating Marisol’s journey and supporting the many other clients who are working to rebuild their lives.

Warmly,
The JusticeMatters Team

“I am no longer defined by what happened to me. I am a survivor, a mother, and someone who now has hope for the future.”

Dear JusticeMatters’ Community,

 

My name is Marisol, and at 14 years old, I was homeless, alone, and vulnerable. During that time, I became a victim of human trafficking. I was taken advantage of by adults who didn’t care whether I had food to eat or whether I was safe. They controlled me with drugs and fear, leaving me feeling trapped. I wasn’t even free to leave the house except to use the bathroom.

 

The trauma I experienced changed my life. At just 14 years old, I was diagnosed with PTSD. Even today, seeing the people who hurt me or simply driving near that house brings back painful memories.

 

When I felt like there was no hope, Justice Matters stepped in. They gave me something I desperately needed: safety, support, and people who believed in me. Through their services, I received therapy and the resources I needed to begin healing from the trauma I had endured.

 

“Their compassion, advocacy, and unwavering support changed the course of my life. They didn’t just help one survivor—they helped create a future for my family.”

 

Justice Matters also helped me obtain a human trafficking visa when I was 14. That support eventually allowed me to receive my green card, giving me security, stability, and the opportunity to build a future I never thought was possible. Because of their advocacy, I have been able to access medical care, return to my birthplace in Mexico without fear or barriers, and move forward with confidence and hope.

 

Today, I am 24 years old and the proud mother of two beautiful daughters. Every day, I work to give them the safe, loving childhood that I never had. I strive to protect them from experiencing the pain and trauma I endured as a child.

 

I truly don’t know where I would be without Justice Matters. Their compassion, advocacy, and unwavering support changed the course of my life. They didn’t just help one survivor—they helped create a future for my family.

 

Please consider supporting Justice Matters so they can continue helping survivors like me. Your generosity gives people who have experienced unimaginable trauma the chance to heal, rebuild, and believe in a better future. Because of Justice Matters, I am no longer defined by what happened to me. I am a survivor, a mother, and someone who now has hope for the future. I will always be grateful for everything they have done for me and my family.

 

With thanks,
Marisol

*Name changed to protect client’s identity

A new advocate for survivors, made possible by you

Nov 14, 2025

Dear friend,

As we enter the holiday season, our hearts are overflowing in gratitude and celebration for a dream fulfilled.

This year we expanded our services for survivors of human trafficking, welcoming Sharon to the team! As Client Resource Specialist, Sharon is dedicated to providing wraparound care — holistic support and expert advocacy to help survivors meet their needs and achieve their goals.

Survivors often share nonlegal needs with our staff, seeking help to secure safe housing, medical care, employment, and other necessities. Many survivors face obstacles due to language barriers, systemic injustice, and trauma. Before we welcomed Sharon, our legal team provided referrals but lacked capacity to provide the expert, targeted advocacy needed to unlock access.

Now, Sharon bridges that gap —
  • conducting safety planning with clients based on threat of harm,
  • identifying resources and services for clients,
  • advocating for clients at appointments and on calls,
  • connecting clients with trusted partner organizations,
  • helping clients maintain momentum in their legal cases during difficult times

Recently, our legal team helped a trafficking survivor, Anna,* reunite with her children after years apart. While overjoyed to be with her children, Anna also felt overwhelmed by the prospect of finding clothing, food, and school supplies. Moreover, she was unaware of key benefits available for her children, such as Medicaid. Sharon connected Anna with resources and partner organizations, ensuring she and her family can secure the support they need to rebuild their lives together.

The dream team! (L-R) Cheryl (Managing Attorney), Sharon, and Ineavelle (Senior Case Specialist) collaborate to holistically support Anna and her children.

Through your generosity, survivors of human trafficking are achieving freedom and flourishing. Thank you for your partnership—we rise together!

Gratefully,

Libby Magee Coles, Esq.
Founder & Executive Director

 

*Pseudonym utilized to protect client identity

 

Steadfast & Grateful. Thank you for standing with us.

Oct 30, 2025

Dear friend,

As we start our new fiscal year, we’re looking ahead with renewed resolve.

Our staff recently took time to reflect together, contemplating questions that helped us take stock of the past year. We’d love to share a glimpse of that conversation with you.

What are we celebrating?
Our team embodied unwavering commitment in a challenging year. We worked tirelessly to file humanitarian immigration petitions before critical policy shifts, ensuring our clients have the best chance at securing safety and healing. We represented parents and caregivers through complex transitions, ensuring children are protected from future exploitation.

And, we’re celebrating you. Through your generosity, we not only met our summer match — we surpassed it! Together, we turned a season marked by funding cuts into a season marked by generosity and solidarity with survivors and the vulnerable in our community.

The JusticeMatters team — looking back with gratitude, looking ahead with hope.

What has kept us going?
We find joy in witnessing our clients achieve long-awaited, hard-won goals: a survivor reunited with her children, a citizenship ceremony completed, an adoption finalized. We find strength in partnership with our clients, community partners, and supporters as we seek justice together.

Thank you for your friendship, prayers, and encouragement. We love connecting with you and receiving your texts, calls, and emails.

What words will guide us this year?
Resilience. Peace. Focus. Despite funding cuts and policy changes, we remain focused on our mission to address the roots and repercussions of human trafficking — for the freedom and flourishing of all. As one team member said:

“We’re still here, and we know that God is still here. We do our work prayerfully, knowing that God sees us and our clients.”

Thank you for helping us keep faith, hope, and love at the center of our work. We’re so grateful to be in this with you!

For freedom and flourishing,

Libby Magee Coles, Esq.
Founder & Executive Director

 

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