"In 2010 I went to Thailand with Women at Risk International to learn more about sex trafficking. I encountered women who had been forced to sell their bodies out of desperation in strip clubs and on the street. I met others living in safe houses working hard on their recovery and even though we didn't speak the same language, we were able to connect. When I got home, I discovered that women were being trafficked just fifteen minutes from my house. At a local event I talked with a sixteen year old girl who had been tricked into trafficking and her story and demeaner were similar to the women I met in Thailand. Sex trafficking leaves deep wounds and scars no matter where it happens. I could not unsee all I had seen or forget the amazing women I had met and knew I had to do something because it's happening everyday everywhere."
Julie Ipema, Executive Director
In 2021 a group from Faith Church and I began to pray about how we might serve people who've experienced commercial sexual exploitation in our community. It was from discussion and prayer at those weekly meetings that the vision for Sheltered91 was born. Sheltered91 is based on Psalm 91:4, "He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Prayer team members and others with a passion to help survivors formed a board. Sheltered91 was incorporated in October 2021 and was registered as a 501(c)(3) organization in May of 2022.
In the summer of 2022 Sheltered91 became the first organization to be part of the Naomi's House Network. Naomi's House has been walking with survivors of trafficking since 2016 and has created a proven path to recovery. As part of the Naomi's House Network, Sheltered91 receives mentoring services to implement this restorative programming with our participants. We are excited to be part of this good work and to learn from experts who have already walked the path before us. To learn more about Naomi's House visit www.noamishouse.org.
Walk for Freedom
Kevin and his wife, Pat, have been married for 43 years, and they attend Faith Church Munster. They have two grown daughters and five grandchildren. Kevin is a retired community banker with 45 years in the industry. He cofounded and organized Providence Bank & Trust, as the COO, in 2004. Over the years, Kevin has served as deacon and elder in his church, and in various roles on the boards and committees of several non-profits.
Dave is a pastor at Faith Church in Dyer. President of Homesteads non-profit. Married to Aubrey and father of daughters. Our family has been blessed to foster children.
Education: Undergraduate degree from Huntington University in Youth Ministries and Biblical Studies. Graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary and went on to become an ordained pastor in the RCA in 2015. Now he is an ordained pastor in the Kingdom Network.
Leah went to college at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona to study Business Management, and it was there that she learned about the prevalence of human trafficking. She had no idea it was so common in the United States, and the Lord immediately broke her heart for the victims, and created in her a passion to bring awareness and an end to the issue. When she moved back to Indiana, she was lucky enough to meet Deniece, a woman doing outreach missions to local motels and strip clubs. She took her on outreach missions, which was an eye opening experience for Leah. Outreach and awareness have always been the big topics on her mind, but as a Fitness Instructor, she has skills she'd love to use throughout the restoration process, too.
Shari is the Controller of Synergy Steel Structures, Inc., a steel fabricator located in Lansing, IL. She graduated from Calvin College with a BS in Accounting and previously worked as a CPA. She has a passion for helping organizations achieve perfection in their accounting records and systems, and has served on several other non-profit Boards. She serves our as Treasurer and is excited to bring her financial experience to this organization. She is married to Jeff and has two adult daughters. Jeff and Shari are members of Faith Church in Munster, Indiana.
Polly has 35 years of business experience and directing technology company teams. She has 6 yers public sector experience and leading economic development and urban planning initiatives, including managing boards of volunteers and public officials. Education: Bachelors degree from the University of Illinois in Urban and Regional Planning with a minor in Cultural Anthropology.
Passionate about: Helping people including women and children. Actively volunteered in anti trafficking efforts, feeding and housing underprivileged people, teaching Sunday School (high school and 1-4th grade). Married for 39 years, mother of an adult son and adult daughter. Enjoy reading, walking, running, gardening and traveling. I also enjoy my husband’s gourmet cooking!
Becky received her B.A. in Psychology from Trinity Christian College and throughout her Trinity years worked as a nurse's aide at a local nursing home. She obtained her Master's Degree in Social Work from University of Illinois-Jane Addams College of Social and later received her LCSW license.
For 15 years Becky was employed at Family Care Services in Chicago. She held several social work positions, including Supervisor of the Homemaker Service Program, In-home Counselor for DCFS families and children, Training Supervisor for DCFS sponsored Parenting Training Program, and Supervisor of reunification program for children in foster care. Over the years she has also worked in Chicago part time as a social work consultant at a senior living facility, and most recently as a social worker at a Home Health Agency serving Chicagoland. Currently she is a facilitator of a Grief and Loss Support group at Calvary Church.
John has been a carpenter his whole life. He learned the trade while building custom homes with his father and working in the garage as a child. He is currently self-employed at John's Carpentry. He specializes in trim carpentry but also does remodeling, decks, kitchens, windows and doors, and general contracting. He has been married to Julie for 35 years.
Von Matthews is currently a member and teaching Elder at Faith Church located in Munster, Indiana. He is one of the leader/facilitators of the Men’s Weekly Bible Study, and is a part of the worship team ministry at Faith as a musician and singer.
Von did coursework at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University. He also has an M.B.A. from St. Xavier University, and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. He is currently employed at The Northern Trust Company as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Fraud Risk. He is a member of the Cook County Board of Ethics, and an Advisory Board member of Breakthrough Urban Ministries.
Von has been happily married to his wife Vilma for 39 years, and they have 4 children, and 10 grandchildren.
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From now to the end of the year your donation has 2x the impact up to $20,000. Funds raised will provide housing support through our Reach Independent and Transitional Living Program for more survivors in 2025.