Reaching For The Shining Starz

05/26/2026

Last Sunday was a rainy evening, and it took awhile to find our ladies on outreach.

One woman shared with us:
“Sorry if I seem grumpy, it’s been a rough week out here with all the rain. But I am so looking forward to dry clothes and socks and I get to eat today!”

Moments like this are a powerful reminder that small things many of us take for granted—dry socks, clean clothes, a meal—can mean everything to someone trying to survive another day.

We are grateful to continue showing up for the women we serve with compassion, dignity, and care. 🩷

Thank you to everyone who supports Reaching for the Shining Starz and helps make these outreach nights possible.

05/11/2026

The last two Sundays have been busy, fulfilling, and a reminder of why we do this work. 🩷

As the weather gets warmer, we know the pace on the streets increases—and so do the needs of the women we serve. Each week, we continue showing up with compassion, resources, and support for our ladies.

If you’ve been looking for a way to help, we invite you to think of Reaching for the Shining Starz or one of our partner organizations. Whether through donating supplies, volunteering your time, or helping spread awareness, your support truly makes a difference.

Thank you to everyone who continues to stand beside us in this work.

05/01/2026

Last week, we had the privilege of participating in a powerful panel at the Soroptimist International Spring Conference. 🩷

The conversation focused on a critical issue—how youth aging out of foster care are at greater risk for human and s*x trafficking. Together, the panel explored what’s happening today and how we can strengthen prevention, intervention, and system-level solutions, all while centering survivor voices.

We were honored to be part of such an incredible panel:
Barb, RSS Survivor Leader
Judge Maria Santo
Gwen Jackson, CATCH Court Program Leader
Sheree Ford, Clinical Nurse Manger of Forensics at OhioHealth
Amanda Davis, Assistant Director of Education, Foster Success
Amy Thomas, Moderator and Co-President of Reaching for the Shining Starz

The audience was engaged, the conversation was impactful, and the expertise shared was truly inspiring.

We are especially proud of our lead survivor, Barb, for her courage and for being such an important voice in this work.

Grateful to stand alongside so many committed advocates working to bring awareness, support, and change.

04/28/2026

Sunday Outreach 🩷
We were done in under 25 minutes—the need was great. So many women were already waiting for us.

We served as many as we could, but ran out of hygiene bags and lunches. The demand continues to grow.

Thanks to our volunteers and every donation. Your support helps us reach more women. Every bit matters. ✨

04/20/2026

Outreach Update 🩷
We served 23 women on Sunday night. A few shared they had been looking for us—we were so glad to find them again.

We gently reminded everyone that we’re out every Sunday, traveling Sullivant from Franklinton to the Hilltop and back.

Showing up consistently matters. Connection matters. ✨

04/18/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a wonderful and meaningful luncheon! 🩷

We are so grateful for our incredible volunteers and community partners—your support makes this work possible. It was an honor to come together, reflect on our shared impact, and continue building a community rooted in hope, healing, and freedom.

A special thank you to Freedom a la Carte for the delicious meal and for the important work you do to support survivors. We also appreciated hearing a special recorded message from She Has a Name.

We are better because of each of you. Thank you for being part of our mission.

04/14/2026

Sunday Outreach 🩷
Our work is rooted in being survivor-centered, and we’re so grateful to have our lead survivor join us regularly on outreach. While our team builds meaningful connections, there is something especially powerful about the trust and understanding that comes from a fellow survivor.

We were also incredibly thankful to Soroptimist of NE Suburban Franklin County for providing a delicious meal and thoughtful spring treats for the women we serve. Your kindness made the evening even more special.

Connection matters. Trust matters. Community matters.

04/07/2026

Last night’s outreach 🩷
We passed out 20 outreach bags and were grateful to have 2 survivors serving alongside us.

There is something so powerful about women seeing a sister in recovery reaching back with love, support, and hope.

04/05/2026

04/01/2026

Last weeks street outreach was bittersweet. We crossed paths with someone we believed had completed CATCH Court, now back on the street. Moments like that stay with you.

We continue to show up and serve whoever is there, holding onto the belief that every woman is worthy of a second chance and a new beginning. At the same time, we’re reminded that healing and transformation aren’t linear—they’re a journey, often with setbacks along the way.

Still, we meet each moment with compassion, hope, and a commitment to keep walking alongside them.