“When people hear the words human trafficking, they often picture headlines or statistics. But behind every statistic is a human being—a daughter, a friend, a neighbor—someone like me.”
These powerful words were shared by Jade, a survivor-leader and our keynote speaker, at our 2025 “Brighter Than Gold” Gala.
Jade discovered The Landing in 2016. At that time, she found herself trapped in a life she never chose.
After growing up in a strict home, Jade wound up looking for love in the wrong places. She entered a relationship she believed was love–only to be introduced to human trafficking by the person she trusted. He kept tight control over all the money and used that power dynamic to direct her exploitation. Living on the streets, Jade was battered mentally and physically. Her self-esteem was stripped away, and she felt imprisoned in a world where she could no longer tell what “normal” was supposed to feel like.
That’s when Jade’s best friend told her about The Landing. And as she was surrounded by safety, support, and peace, Jade felt like the blindfold she had been wearing for so long finally started to fall away. She realized:
This is what life is supposed to be like.
Want to hear her story? She bravely shares her experience in this video:
We are so honored to be part of Jade’s journey, and we want to share more of her story with you in her own words. The following is her full speech from our Gala:
Jade’s Keynote Address
When people hear the words human trafficking, they often picture headlines or statistics. But behind every statistic is a human being—a daughter, a friend, a neighbor—someone like me.
Today I stand before you not as a victim, but as a survivor and a voice. My journey has not been easy. It has been dark, painful, and at times almost unbearable. But it is also a story of hope, because of a place called The Landing Drop-In Center.
Human trafficking hides in plain sight—in our cities, our neighborhoods, sometimes even in our homes. Traffickers prey on vulnerability: poverty, abuse, homelessness, or simply the need to be loved. They promise safety and deliver exploitation.
I was once caught in that web. The details are hard to share, but I can tell you this: trafficking steals more than your freedom. It tries to erase your identity, your self-worth, your spirit, and your voice.
Then I found The Landing Drop-In Center. I still remember the first time I walked through those doors back in 2016. I expected cold walls and judgment. Instead, I found warmth, smiles, and a quiet promise: You are safe here.
The Landing gave me something I hadn’t felt in years—choice.
Through counseling, I began to piece together my story and reclaim my mind. My counselor helped me navigate trauma, set healthy boundaries, and dream again.
The boutique might sound small, but for someone who had lost everything—even a change of clothes—stepping into that room was powerful. Picking out an outfit wasn’t just about fabric. It was about dignity. It reminded me that I deserve to feel good in my own skin.
Perhaps most importantly, I found a sistership. Other women who had walked similar roads stood beside me. We laughed, we cried, we healed. We called each other sisters because that’s what we became—family born of resilience.
Now, I would like to share a poem with you:
The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.
A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the Oak Tree’s leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs
and pulled its bark
until the Oak was tired and stark.
But still the Oak Tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
How can you still be standing Oak?”
The Oak Tree said, I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You’ll never touch them, for you see
they are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn’t sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I’ve found with thanks to you,
I’m stronger than I ever knew.
This poem speaks to my heart because that oak tree is every survivor I know.
We have faced storms meant to destroy us. We have been bent by violence and betrayal. Yet, because of communities like The Landing, our roots grow deep in hope and healing.
When I think of the oak, I see myself—stronger than I ever believed, standing tall even after the fiercest storms.
Healing is not a straight path. There are days I still wrestle with memories. But today, I am not just surviving. I am living, I am free.
Because of what I received at The Landing, God has given me the tools through His Spirit to give back to other women. It is only by His grace that I can now stand beside new survivors, offering encouragement and the same love I was shown. All glory belongs to Him for healing, courage, and the chance to serve.
Human trafficking will not disappear on its own. It takes a community—people willing to notice, to speak up, to support organizations like The Landing.
You can help by:
- Educating yourself and others about the signs of trafficking.
- Supporting the Drop-in center with donations, volunteering onsite, or through advocacy.
- Listening without judgment to survivors’ stories.
Every action matters. When you give, you plant another oak—deep roots that can weather the storm. You have the opportunity to continue supporting survivors like me, knowing that every gift you make brings us closer to freedom, safety, and restoration for someone just like me.
I began as just another victim, but today I stand as a testimony. I am proof that healing is possible, that love is stronger than fear, and that the human spirit through the strength of God—just like the oak tree—can bend without breaking.
To The Landing Drop-In Center, to my sisters, and to every person who refuses to look away: thank you. Thank you for your prayers, and for your continued support. Because of you, I am still standing. And I will keep standing, tall and rooted, until every person trapped in trafficking can stand with me. Thank you.
Today, Jade has a beautiful five-year old daughter, a wonderful husband, and a career as an Admissions Advisor. Getting to witness her journey has been a true blessing as we continue to meet survivors just like Jade where they’re at—offering hope, healing, and a path forward.
Will you help us create a future where every survivor in Houston is identified, welcomed into a safe and loving community, and empowered to reach their full potential?
There are so many ways to support survivors of human trafficking. If you’re ready to take action, discover ways to get involved here. From praying, to volunteering, to donating to support our programs, people like you are essential in our mission to walk alongside survivors like Jade—giving them the support and stability they need to rewrite their futures.
