Eye Heart World : Interview

Today we have the opportunity to get to know Eye Heart World through the lens of co-founder, Brian Russo. You can support their organization through RaiseUp and choosing Human Trafficking Prevention as your cause.

Let’s get to know them!

RaiseUp – Hi Brian! Can you help us get to know Eye Heart World?

Eye Heart World – Our mission is to combat sex trafficking through aftercare, prevention and awareness. As our vision states, we are working to create a community where sex trafficking is not able to thrive. We identify gaps in services and do what we are to do in order to fill those gaps. Each of our programs hinges on the aspects of aftercare for survivors, prevention for at-risk youth, and awareness training for professionals and community members.

RaiseUp – When funds are raised for your organization, what kinds of things do they go toward?

Eye Heart World – When people donate or raise funds, their gift of resources and energy goes directly to fulfilling our mission. Such aspects include aftercare resources for girls, funding items like trafficker-branding tattoo removal, case management, emergency transportation, and other services we’re able to provide. Such aftercare efforts will be greatly increased when The Rose Home, our first residential program for trafficking victims, opens this summer.

RaiseUp – Can you share a highlight that you’ve experienced?

Eye Heart World – Wow, that’s a tough one because there are so many. From a donor or volunteer standpoint, one of the highlights for me is seeing people realize how much good they can create in the world and in someone’s life. That “light bulb” moment is very special.

RaiseUp – That makes so much sense. I know it can be really easy to feel like we can’t make much change as just one person. But we most definitely can! Thanks for sharing that point.

Eye Heart World – I tell as many people as I can that although the issue of trafficking is overwhelming and it’s difficult to figure out what each person can do to respond, every person has the potential and power to make a significant, tangible difference for the cause.

RaiseUp – Yes, so true! How about a highlight from the program overall?

Eye Heart World – From a program standpoint, seeing the progress of some of the girls that our team has worked with has been a huge highlight. It is a slow process of recovery from this time of extreme trauma, but every baby step is a reminder that new life is waiting and that we get to help guide them to it!

RaiseUp – Can you share anything to help us understand the severity or build awareness?

Eye Heart World – The severity is very difficult to articulate because it is difficult to know the full extent of it. Many factors play into why a girl is lured into the cycle of trafficking. For example, the four primary key risk factors that we have identified are: foster care, homelessness, substance abuse, and sexual abuse. Sex trafficking is the second leading criminal industry in the world, just behind the drug trade. Thus, where you find one, you will find the other.

RaiseUp – It’s sad that such a large industry is still so unknown. Thanks for helping to raise awareness! Hopefully we can help a little as well.

RaiseUp – What are you currently working to do?

Eye Heart World – Our biggest project at the moment is opening The Rose Home, our very first residential aftercare program in the summer of 2017. It will be a 9-12 month program for survivors ages 18-25 and it will be located in Green Bay, WI. Additionally, we are working to our first drop-in center, called The Rose Center, in Mobile, AL. The Rose Center, will serve as a bridge between the life of trafficking and the long-term care a victims needs in order to heal and thrive.

RaiseUp – You can learn more about The Rose Home here. It’s a great addition to Green Bay, that’s for sure! Thank you so much, Brian. Can’t wait to see the continued impact that Eye Heart World has in the community.

Eye Heart World also sells fashionable merchandise to raise funds for their efforts, while also allowing people to “Carry the Cause”. Check that out here.

You can also learn how to support them through RaiseUp on our nonprofit page.

If you’re new to RaiseUp, learn what it’s all about and how you can help support a nonprofit for free.