Our Resolutions For the New Year and Beyond
As we look to 2023, we asked our staff to reflect on how we can grow. Read here their resolutions for the New Year and beyond as we work together towards a brighter future.
“I wish to grow our survivor mentoring program to serve more youth in our communities.”
“My wish is to have more prevention groups available to any youth that needs support and continue to build deeper relationships with our community partners and stakeholders. To educate and train more providers to better understand Commercial Sexual Exploitation. Lastly, to make our services equitable for any youth that has been bought or sold.”
“Before working at MLMC, I knew very little about CSEC, and the little information I had was not based in truth. While raising awareness and educating the public is an important aspect of advocating for the elimination of CSEC, I hope MLMC continues to advocate for policies that protect and support CSEC survivors at the local, regional, state, and national levels. This work calls for coalition building and further development of our personal advocacy skills, whether its through lobbying, providing testimony, media campaigns, and more.”
“To continue growing and empowering more youth of all cultural backgrounds. To let the mentees know they are MLMC (more loved more care) and never alone in the healing process”
“That we continue to grow as we have in order to reach so many more young people.”
“That we become the household name regarding CSEC […] awareness. Simply, I want us to be the "go-to" for everyone.”
“I wish that someday ALL young people feel safe, loved and connected...and therefore they do not become exploited, and My Life My Choice is no longer needed.”
“[I wish for] increased opportunities for mentees - employment, housing, groups, events, etc.”
“[I hope we] pass the Equity Model and further become a thought leader in the advocacy/policy space”
“[I hope we] grow our community and find more ways to come together!”
“[I would like us to] grow our departments to continue to serve as a national leader in anti-trafficking work.”
“[I hope for the] expansion of our services, training, and consultation to areas of the country most in need of CSEC prevention, with international reach as well.”
“I hope that My Life My Choice grows and can support more youth in finding stability and unconditional love.”
“My wish is that over the next 20 years we put ourselves out of business by finally putting an end to commercial sexual exploitation.”
“[My wish is that we] expand, continue our meaningful work and grow as a company/team. Help as much people as possible reaching more with groups and events. Focusing in on getting more Male Allies, LGBTQ, young mothers, and survivors involved”
“[I hope we] continue to grow in order to have more youth involved in self care, health, and awareness.”
“I wish for more BIPoC survivors, especially in the southeastern part of MA, to be able to mentor and run groups. Also, possibly discuss or have a training on what it looks like being in the foster care system for youth.”
“[I hope we] continue to flourish, grow, and support as many youth as possible with the support of our donors. To reach out to programs with trainings and invite Male Allies to continue to make a difference in the lives of all the youth we support.”
“[My wish is] that every MA resident knows who MLMC is, the work we do, and sees us as a resource. Additionally, I hope we can reach more Male Allies and get them involved in the fight.”
“For MLMC to be a whole movement, have continuous growth, continue to be a role model for other organizations, and continue to be innovative!!!”
“My hope for MLMC is that it is increasingly diverse and inclusive, and that we stand strong in dismantling the unjust systems that work to hold our youth back.”
"Ultimately, we wish for a day when My Life My Choice is no longer needed. A day when all young people have a real chance to grow into strong healthy adults, free from exploitation and the misogyny, racism, transnegativity and heterosexism that underlie it. Until then, we hope for My Life My Choice, our community in Massachusetts, and our partners across the nation to have the strength, cohesion, and compassion to keep up this fight and to never lose sight of the love and joy within the work. It is only through leaning on one another that we can continue to grow our survivor empowerment & prevention programs to serve more youth, build a wider safety-net of informed and prepared youth-serving professionals, and create the momentum needed to pass more equitable laws and policies. Please consider donating today to help us create a tomorrow free of exploitation."
—
Audrey Morrissey, Survivor Leader
Co-Executive Director
&
Lisa Goldblatt Grace, LICSW, MPH
Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director