Hello, friends and faithful donors and supporters,
Victoria's Friends honored three special candidates and their accomplishments at our March event, Dreams Come True.
The following is a news article about the event and the ministry:
Victoria Teague, founder and a survivor herself, recognized a spark of entrepreneurship in Brandi Cannon, Shirlonda Evans, and Patricia McNeill when she delivered “Baskets of Love” to the three honorees at their workplaces during a span of 20 years. Each one was given a second chance at a new life in the form of a scholarship covering cars, counseling, childcare, job training and rent. Patricia McNeil, the newest recipient who wants to be a fashion designer, will get a new website and merchandise to sell at her fashion boutique.
Brandi Cannon and Shironda Evans have also started businesses: the former teaching painting classes to budding entrepreneurs; and the latter doing personal coaching and real estate investing.
In addition, Shirlonda has written a book entitled Mindset Change 101. Her favorite theme from the book is “your quality of life increases when your mindset changes.” She hopes skills like learning leadership, entrepreneurship, and community building will help others take charge of their lives.
Each month, through its “Baskets of Love” outreach program, Victoria’s Friends volunteers deliver gift baskets to individuals working in entertainment clubs throughout metro Atlanta. The organization is always in need of donated items—socks, scarves, lotions, notes of encouragement, and anything that would be perceived as a gift—for the bags.
Victoria Teague says: “Each year, we give 16-20 scholarships. We are hoping to open a community center to bring all the women together. With our faith-based ministry, much of our funding comes from our church partnerships, individual donors, and grants. We have also sponsored recent online 5K’s to raise funds. We are in our 24th year of ministry, and it is a delight to help each and every candidate.”
Victoria’s Friends bestows “second chances” to women who are lost and trapped in the helplessness of sexually oriented businesses. It is one of only a handful of survivor-led sex industry exit organizations across the country.
A big thank you to all who were able to come out and celebrate with us.
We also welcomed guest speaker Natalie Born, podcast show host of Innovation Leadership and Author of Set It On Fire.
Pam Younker, the woman who took Victoria in and mentored her, also attended. It was a delightful celebration of all God has done throughout the years.
Thank you for your continued support, we cannot do this work without you and are so grateful.
It is a joy and an honor to reach out and support every candidate and to do this work.