About

HISTORY

Bridging the Gap-Oregon (BTGO) began as a vision of Retired Officer Mike Gallagher, who spent countless hours tracking down resources for sexually exploited victims. While many organizations had the services to help, there was no efficient way to communicate in real time—especially during crisis situations, such as evenings and weekends, when most victims are rescued. Mike saw the urgent need for a system that could instantly connect victim needs with available resources, filling the critical gap in communication.

Laying the Foundation

In 2014, community leaders joined forces to establish Bridging The Gap (BTG) and developed a private intranet website. This innovative platform allowed approved users—including government agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations, and churches—to receive instant push notifications about urgent needs. The system enabled direct communication between service providers, ensuring immediate assistance for survivors.

In May 2015, BTG leaders were honored with the Portland Police Bureau Commendation Medal for creating this system, which significantly improved the ability of the PPB Human Trafficking Unit to meet survivors' needs.

Building a Scalable Solution

Recognizing the potential for broader impact, Bridging The Gap was selected by the City of Portland in 2016 to receive an innovation grant to develop a mobile app. Mayor Charlie Hales and the Portland City Council ranked the BTG mobile app as the #1 proposal out of 28 submissions, citing its scalability and ability to address complex community challenges.

However, after more than two years of delays and negotiations, BTG ultimately declined the funding to maintain full control of the project. Instead, in 2019, BTG launched an independent fundraising campaign, successfully raising the necessary funds to build the app. After a year of development, the BTGHT mobile app was completed in February 2021.

A Game-Changer for Real-Time Support

Today, BTG operates a secure, comprehensive mobile platform designed for real-time mass communication— connecting victims with the organizations and individuals ready to help.

The BTGHT App includes:

✔ Instant push notifications for urgent needs, non-urgent needs, available resources, volunteer opportunities, and events/trainings
✔ In-app messaging, calling, and email for seamless communication within each region
✔ Access to local and national service providers, expanding collaboration beyond geographical boundaries

By bridging the gap, the app fosters collaboration between service providers and law enforcement while also connecting rural and tribal communities with critical resources.

Expanding the Vision

Our long-term vision is to implement the BTGHT app nationwide, ensuring trafficking survivors and other vulnerable populations receive the support they need. Beyond human trafficking, the app holds immense potential to serve additional vulnerable groups, including:

● Domestic violence survivors

● Foster care/child welfare cases

● Missing persons

● Crisis and street response teams

● Homeless outreach efforts

● Law enforcement, firefighters, and public transportation systems

By scaling this powerful tool, we can help prevent countless children and vulnerable individuals from falling through the cracks, ultimately creating systemic change and strengthening community safety networks.

The possibilities are endless and the impact is just beginning!

Leadership

  • Mike Gallagher

    FOUNDER

    Mike Gallagher retired from the Portland Police Bureau after nearly 30 years of service, including 11 years in the Sex Trafficking Unit. Through his work, he has witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by sexual exploitation.

    Dedicated to combating trafficking, Mike has built strong partnerships with victim advocates, the district attorney’s office, churches, hotels, and other community organizations to create a coordinated response. He is also committed to public education, conducting vital training to raise awareness and empower communities.

    Mike actively works to address the demand side of trafficking, believing that eliminating demand is key to eradicating exploitation. He helped create SBAD (Sex Buyers Accountability and Diversion) School, which educates offenders on the profound harm their actions cause—to women, children, families, and society as a whole.

    Mike is passionate about helping survivors not just recover, but truly thrive.

  • Darlene Domenigoni

    PRESIDENT

    Darlene has spent over 30 years mentoring abuse and trauma survivors, with the last 13 years dedicated to supporting sexually exploited survivors. She has played a key role in coordinating victim resources and trauma-informed training by collaborating with community leaders.

    In 2013, Darlene developed a mentoring program for sexually exploited survivors and served as its Director for four years, witnessing firsthand the power of resources, support, and healing. She has been part of Bridging The Gap since its founding in 2014 and now serves as President.

    Beyond her work, Darlene has been married for 36 years and is a proud mother and grandmother to two adult children and two granddaughters, ages 4 and 7. Their future fuels her passion for anti-trafficking efforts and the fight for lasting change.

  • Christina Causey

    SECRETARY

    Christina has been an overcomer since birth. Born to a 14-year-old victim of sexual exploitation, whose mother (Christina’s Grandmother) had also been in "the life," Christina defied the odds. Despite being a biracial child abandoned to the system, she broke the generational cycle of abuse and commercial exploitation. Today, she is a mentor, role model, and source of hope for the girls and women she serves.

    As the first in her family to attend college and step into community leadership, Christina brings extensive training, lived experience, and deep knowledge of trauma and its lasting effects. She facilitates trauma recovery groups and speaks at events, sharing her story and inspiring others to invest in their communities.

    Christina and her husband are passionate about bringing healing, justice, and freedom to marginalized and stigmatized children, especially those in the welfare system. When she’s not advocating for change, she’s keeping up with her six amazing boys.

  • Kirt and Anne Haneberg

    TREASURERS

    Kirt and Anne both grew up in the Portland area and have been married for 23 years. Together, they have three children and share a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable youth.

    Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing and has worked as a pediatric operating room nurse for 23 years. She is passionate about caring for children who have experienced abuse and trauma, using her skills to provide both medical care and emotional support.

    Kirt works as an Administrator, overseeing employees’ trust funds and managing a large employer’s drug and alcohol safety program. His role focuses on ensuring financial security and workplace safety for employees.

    In 2022, Kirt and Anne became a certified host home for Safe Families, opening their hearts and home to a teen in need—who is now a beloved part of their family.

  • Harmeet Barkschat

    BOARD MEMBER

    Harmeet has spent most of her career as an accountant working with California school districts’ grant mandating. She now works with California law enforcement agencies to ensure they’re compliant with grant mandates.

    Harmeet is married and has one adult daughter. Harmeet and family love to travel to new places. Her home is known as the place to gather as she loves to welcome and host friends, family and neighbors.

    Harmeet has a heart for the vulnerable and brings her many years of knowledge and experience in building relationships and working collaboratively to achieve a common goal.