In 2014, a group of women watched the documentary “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls” by Benji Nolot, which examines the issue of human trafficking.
One of those women was Amanda Garrett of Wilmington. The film helped her see that human trafficking wasn’t an issue happening somewhere far away; it was happening right in the Wilmington area.
“I knew we couldn’t stand by without doing something to bring awareness and hope to those being exploited in Wilmington,” Garrett said.
In 2014, Garrett and others began their work by visiting local strip clubs to build relationships with the women there, offering them support.
“We simply wanted them to know that they were seen, valued and not alone,” Garrett explained.
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Those initial visits led to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called Five14 Revolution, based in Wilmington, that works to identify and support women who are being trafficked and exploited.
The name comes from Ephesians 5:14, which states, “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.” The organization’s founders believe this verse captures the mission, which is that no one is beyond hope, and every person has worth, regardless of their circumstances or past.
Over the past 10 years, Five14 Revolution has formed partnerships with other community organizations to help women heal, recover from trauma, pursue higher education and secure stable employment.
One of the main ways they help is through Community One, which aims to reduce recidivism in the New Hanover County Jail. A representative from Five14 is onsite at the jail each week to provide case management to those at risk of exploitation who need support transitioning back into the community.
Through this program, Five14 staff say they have seen many success stories, including one woman who was facing some major hurdles.
The woman did not want to give her name because she is currently living in Wilmington and trying to put her past behind her. However, she recalled that the first three times the Five14 representative came to see her at the New Hanover County Jail, she “blew her off.”
Then something changed.
“I was reading a book, and I was praying to God, and I was like, ‘Lord, if it’s meant for me to change my life, have her come one more time, and she did,” the woman recalled.
That was in 2024. Since then, the young woman has been working with Five14 and credits the organization with helping her get her driver’s license back, finding gainful employment and ultimately re-establishing a relationship with her kids.
It’s those success stories that keep staff members motivated.
Currently, Five14 is staffed by four women who are committed to helping others.
“The one thing that we have in common that is stronger than anything is our faith — our faith in knowing that we can’t take any credit,” said Maxine Gomes, director of housing for Five14 Revolution. “It’s all Him, and we are just a vessel that he uses for His children.”
To learn more about Five14 Revolution, visit its website at https://www.514revolution.com.
Renee Spencer is the community engagement editor at the StarNews. Reach her at rspencer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Faith-driven group fights human trafficking in Wilmington
