Irene is originally from Ohio but grew up in Arizona where she graduated high school in 2000. In her mid-twenties, she fell into the dark world of sexual exploitation and was trafficked for several years. By the grace of God, she became one of the few to successfully escape "The Life". After a deep season of healing and restoration, during which time she worked for a nationally known branding/signage business rising to become their manager of logistics, Irene got a call from God to serve survivors of human trafficking. Irene connected with the Where Hope Lives program at the Phoenix Dream Center where she discovered her true passion and purpose to walk alongside survivors!

 

She is Manager of the Women & Men’s Human Trafficking Program for Where Hope Lives at the Phoenix Dream Center, overseeing the rescue and recovery of survivors of sex and labor trafficking. She is the primary responder for the Where Hope Lives 24/7 Human Trafficking Hotline. In addition, Irene is Outreach Director of The Fountain, a private drop-in location strategically placed on 27th Avenue, Arizona’s hotspot area for street level sex trafficking. The private drop-in center provides safety, aiding street-trafficked women with the opportunity to receive resources and compassionate support on a weekly basis. Through The Fountain, Irene has developed a heart for the frontlines impacting the lives of thousands of survivors since 2020. Irene is certified in Trauma Informed Care and works monthly supporting several law enforcement Human Exploitation Anti-Trafficking units with her lived experience expertise on their victim centered operations.

 

She seizes every opportunity to connect with survivors, inspiring them to emerge from the darkness, just as she did.  Passionate about making a lasting impact in the fight against human trafficking, Irene embodies the resilience and compassion necessary for empowering survivors and fostering lasting change. Irene is excited to be part of the Arizona Survivor Human Trafficking Coalition, where she serves as First Vice President, joining the most influential survivor leaders in Arizona to create real change.  She is pressing on tough issues in Arizona, seeing that buyers of human trafficking face stronger penalties.