October 26, 2021 

Dear friends,

We are thrilled to give you some exciting updates. Because of your encouragement and generosity, we completed the BTGHT mobile app at the end of February. This real time communication tool provides a way for law enforcement, advocates, mentors, counselors, churches, nonprofits, government and other approved agencies to communicate, in real time, the needs of sexually exploited survivors. 

We have had an amazing response as we share the app with law enforcement and nonprofit agencies all over the United States. In September, we had the opportunity to present the app at a law enforcement conference in Clearwater, Florida. The feedback was incredible! We heard a similar response from every person we spoke to: “This app is fantastic...exactly what we need!”  Law enforcement agencies from 26 regions signed up to receive more information about implementing the app in their community. 

Imagine what we can accomplish when communities across the U.S. are equipped with a communication tool that fosters unity and collaboration, ultimately helping survivors get the resources they need for their healing journey!

We have had meetings with interested agencies who are eager for a similar mobile app to be built for foster care, missing persons, homeless, and other vulnerable populations. 

We have also been able to help bridge some gaps in other ways. In the last month, we have purchased a plane ticket for a trafficking victim being assisted by Boston law enforcement who needed to get back home to Florida. At the request of our local DA’s office, we were asked to accompany a trafficking survivor/missing back to her Indian Reservation a few states away. We consider it an honor to help law enforcement, the DA’s office, advocates, and others on the front lines. This work is extremely challenging and emotionally exhausting, so it’s vital that we can step in and help bridge the gaps with this app and unrestricted funds to make a huge difference in these young women’s lives. 

Many have asked why we have not launched the app in Portland yet since this is our home. Because of many unfortunate events and activities that have taken center stage over the last couple of years, sadly, there has not been a regional collaborative effort to help trafficking victims or anti-trafficking efforts. However, we are hopeful and would like to help “bridge this gap.” We want to see a Northwest Anti-Trafficking Coalition established that would foster collaboration to increase successful outcomes for survivors. We are looking at Spring 2022 to introduce the coalition to local agencies and nonprofits. Because we are volunteers, not paid staff, we are at capacity with our efforts focused on expanding the mobile app across the U.S. and need to recruit a team willing to help form a NW Coalition.  If you or someone you know has leadership, admin skills, business experience, community influence, or any other kind of expertise that would be helpful, please let us know. 

If you would like to check out the BTGHT mobile app, we have a “BTGHT Test” city that we have set up and would be happy to add you to it. Email Darlene at Darlene@bridgingthegaporegon.org to be sent an invite.

Again, thank you for your compassion to help the most vulnerable and for encouraging us over the last seven years to keep going and bring this project to fruition. Together we are making a difference! 

With gratitude,

The Bridging The Gap Team