Written By: SOS International
As the holiday season approaches, many of us feel the familiar pull toward home. Home is the place where so many memories are made, and where we gather with the people who make us feel safe and loved. For most of us, “home” is where that hope feels the most real.
What makes these connections to home so strong is the traditions that we have. The SOS Team has so many rich traditions.
- We love decorating our house after Thanksgiving, listening to Christmas music, and watching movies or cartoons. Throughout December, we enjoy watching Christmas plays as a family. – Elisha T., Director of Community Outreach
- On Christmas Eve, my husband makes our kids’ favorite snack dishes. Everyone gets Christmas pajamas and puts them on, and we read the Christmas story, and then Karaoke! On Christmas Day, we open gifts, eat a big lunch, and play more games in our PJs! – Shelly H., Director of Donor Development
- I love baking cookies and watching every Christmas movie, from Die Hard to The Grinch! But my favorite tradition is making eggnog and going for neighborhood strolls to look at everyone’s lights; it’s so beautiful! – Daniella H., Office Administrator
- Every Year, my family picks out a real Christmas tree together. Also, since we were little, our parents hid one gift for each of the kids and now the grandkids. They can be hidden anywhere around the house, so it usually takes us a bit to find them. Then, we open the gifts together. We have a big Christmas Eve dinner with extended family, play games throughout the night, and open gifts at midnight. – Christina P., Marketing Coordinator
- Our family enjoys driving around to look at Christmas lights. We also love having family Christmas movie nights, where we let our son help pick the movie. We also prioritize modeling generosity for him by gathering toys or cash donations to take to a local nonprofit that assists families throughout the year, providing extra support during the holidays.- Janie W., Director of Finance & Operations
Different traditions, different homes. But the same feeling ties them all together: warmth, safety, connection, and the comfort of belonging.
For many trafficking survivors who arrive at our safe houses, those feelings of home are distant memories or something they’ve never truly had. When they step through our doors, they’re not just looking for shelter; They are looking for a place where healing can begin and hope can grow. In other words, they’re yearning for a home.
Making Room
Right now, Casa Esperanza is full. Every bed is taken. Every room is stretched to its limits. And young girls who need safety are waiting.
During a time of year that celebrates belonging, connection, and compassion, we feel an even greater responsibility to make room.
This year-end, we must make more room for freedom – room to heal, room to hope, room to dream. To do this, we need to raise $405,000 by December 31:
- $270,000 will double the capacity of Casa Esperanza, opening doors for more survivors to find safety, counseling, education, and love.
- $135,000 will allow us to expand freedom into new territories in Latin America and Asia – places where children are being trafficked right now.
As you gather with the people who make your house feel like home, you can make room for more girls to find freedom, hope, and safety at Casa Esperanza!