It was a sweltering hot day in June. The humidity was high, the sun was shining, and everyone was just looking for some cool air. I found my reprieve from the heat as well as something incredibly special. A few weeks prior, Dr. Laura Cordisco Tsai invited me and a few other individuals to her house to learn about the Eleison Foundation and how we can help. It was an immediate yes. When I pulled up to her home on that beautiful day, I was greeted with such lovely faces; some familiar and some new. We were immediately brought into a home of comfort and calm, Laura has this beautiful way of making everyone feel seen and relaxed. After a few moments of chatter and connection, Laura moved us to her beautiful seating area and began an incredible and eye-opening conversation.
While studying at the University of Delaware, I took a few courses on Human Trafficking and felt like I had a solid understanding of the intricacies of it. But, after meeting and speaking with Laura, I learned more information than I could’ve imagined. Once we were all seated, Laura began by asking us our comfort level, which was a privilege that she bestowed on us. Even with our boundaries in place, the stories and information she shared were so powerful that everyone in the room felt it. We began by discussing what human trafficking is and what it entails, as well as learning what Eleison focuses on. People shared their stories, asked questions, and connected with each other on a deeper level. It was a beautiful and unifying experience that I now feel a closer bond with everyone in attendance. But what stood out most to me was how special this nonprofit truly is.
Something that has always been a passion for me is fighting for and raising survivors’ voices. I was so thrilled to hear that the Eleison’s main goal is to elevate survivors to positions of power and allowing survivors to have their control back. That truly struck a chord with me and made me realize I want to be a part of this organization in some way. Hearing about all the hard work that Laura has put into this nonprofit, it was a no-brainer to want to be involved in helping Eleison. The kindness, compassion and empathy that is written all over Eleison shines through Laura.
The conversation that we had on that hot day in June changed my life for the better. Not only did I learn about Eleison, but I also learned about how ingrained human trafficking is in our consumer lifestyle. I’ve begun looking at everything I have or come across in my life differently – the clothes I wear, the chocolate I eat – and I hope that people learn this as well. There are things we can do and be mindful of to help nonprofits like Eleison, as well as survivors. The first thing you can do is pay a visit to Laura and have an open conversation about human trafficking. You will walk away from it with so much and you’ll be thinking of a way to help her and her amazing team. If you’re interested in getting involved or chatting with Laura to learn more, send her a message here.
Written By: Jenna Dorrian
