When Hannah Arrowood felt the nudge from God to leave the comfort and stability of corporate America, she knew her true calling was to serve young girls in harm’s way.
“My faith drives me – with a desire to be obedient to the call of God on my life,” she shares. “As I’ve processed my own personal trauma, I understand the intersections of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as sexual abuse, emotional neglect and parent separation. These are the most frequent ACEs of the girls we serve, and I have the same. I now understand how God takes what the enemy meant for evil and works it out for good.”
Founding the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Present Age Ministries has allowed Hannah to grow an organization committed to combating the sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking of teen girls by rebuilding trust, restoring hope and redefining love.
While their headquarters is in Concord, NC, Present Age Ministries has program offices in Charlotte, NC and Nairobi, Kenya. Their unwavering mission is to equip communities to better identify at-risk teen girls through prevention and awareness education, and to support survivors through holistic, individualized care. While their organization is strongly faith-based, it does not discriminate or force beliefs on those they reach.
Once you realize some startling statistics, the local need for action and education is clear. North Carolina is one of the top 10 states in the U.S. for trafficking – placing ninth at last report – and Charlotte is the number one city for trafficking in the state. Hannah shares that 98 percent of identified child victims of abuse are female, with the average age identified in the Charlotte area as 13. Knowing the distinction between sexual abuse, being sexually exploited and human trafficking is vital.
Sexual Abuse: Forcing undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. Children are most vulnerable between the ages of seven and 13.
Sexually Exploited: The sexual abuse of children and youth through the exchange of sex or sexual acts for drugs, food, shelter, protection, other basics of life and/or money.
Human Trafficking: A form of modern day slavery that has been a federal crime since the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000.
As part of the healing process, Present Age Ministries incorporates education and training into its client programs by using trauma-informed, developmentally based and strength based approaches.
“We tailor our support to recognize the impact of trauma, align with each client’s stage of development and build on his or her existing strengths and capacities,” Hannah explains. “Our goal is to foster resilience, promote healing and empower clients to achieve sustainable growth.”
Another important element of the process is recognizing warning signs – especially in young children and teens.
“Those can include an obsession over being connected to their phone, withdrawal and isolation, depression and anxiety, along with secrecy about their interactions with other people, especially online,” adds Hannah.
One of the only vetted child-serving agencies in the area, Present Age Ministries is called on to provide support to families – whether that’s a biological family, a foster family or another identified guardian. Areas of support include individual case management, counseling, life skills, housing needs, legal services and court advocacy, along with incentive programs to encourage responsible behavior.
If you believe you know someone in need of help, email [email protected], or visit presentageministries.org for more information, and to find their online digital referral form: LINK HERE. If you have information about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888.373.7888 or text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE). In a serious emergency, call 911. All reports are confidential, and you may remain anonymous.
Visit presentageministries.org for volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @presentagemin.
