Vanguard University

Survivor, advocate and educator Rachel C. Thomas, M. Ed shared her personal journey to both raise public awareness and inspire action in the collective effort to prevent human trafficking, through the support of victims and systemic change

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2024) – Vanguard University’s (VU’s) Global Center for Women and Justice (GCWJ) moved a room full of attendees to action at the 11^th annual “Amplify” event, raising not only $207,000 in funds but, most importantly, public awareness of the realities of human trafficking. Sandra Morgan, Ph.D., VU faculty and director of the GCWJ, presented an impact report on the GCWJ’s continuing mission to advance the global status of women, children and at-risk populations and end human trafficking. The theme, “Growing Hope,” was reflective of the positive future that can be created by individuals and organizations coming together to educate those at risk and use their voices and influence to make a difference. Generous sponsors of the event included The Samueli Foundation, Farwell Surfboards, David and Darrelyn Melilli, David and Adele Oddo, SOCO Foundation and USBank.

The 2024 Amplify Award was presented to Rachel C. Thomas, a survivor of human trafficking, who shared her eye-opening experience illustrating the fraud and coercion involved in trafficking wrapped in the guise of glamour and success, while also demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit to heal when surrounded by love and a supportive community. Even more special was that her dad—who played a key role in her recovery—was also in the room, receiving a poignant standing ovation. Thomas has twice been a presidential appointee to the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and is the director of Sowers Education Group. Her “Cool Aunt Series,” a human trafficking prevention course for teens being used by numerous organizations—such as the California Department of Social Services to reach 50,000 foster youth and OC Child Welfare—creates the vital awareness that all young people require to avoid potentially dangerous situations. 

“Amplify” brought together more than 200 supporters of the GCWJ at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach on Sept. 14. The reception featured the Arts & Learning Conservatory Strings Trio and soloist Chara Wondercheck, founded by VU alum and Board of Trustee member, Debora Wondercheck. Guests and long-time friends greeted one another over coffee and lemonade while browsing an array of silent auction items. Upon entering the dining room, they were seated at round tables adorned with yellow buttercream linens and floral arrangements of baby blue hydrangeas, white roses and eucalyptus. A pre-selected brunch entrée had guests enjoying an option of crab cake benedict, cinnamon French toast or garden frittata. The morning’s program began with a welcome from Vanguard Provost and Associate Director of the Global Center, Dr. Ryan Hartwig. Before the keynote speech, a live auction stirred the crowd with items quintessential to Southern California, including an exclusive view of the Anaheim Ducks from the penalty box, multi-night stays on Catalina Island, and Porsche racing at a track in Los Angeles.

“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of attendance and support of the Global Center for Women and Justice at ‘Amplify’ year over year, as it demonstrates our community’s fight against human trafficking,” said Dr. Morgan. “Education is the key to prevention and collaboration is the key to moving this heavy burden forward, with individuals each taking hold to lift up the lives of victims and create lasting systemic change.” 

Supporting the GCWJ through Amplify turns up the volume by allowing critical programming to reach Orange County youth and provide education that helps young students to recognize exploitation. For example, the Safe Kids program, which is made possible by a grant from the Samueli Foundation, will recruit, hire and train VU students to serve as peer educators. These facilitators will visit middle schools across the OC public school system to deliver interactive, trauma-informed curriculum on human trafficking prevention tailored specifically for youth. In addition to educating students, the program will provide professional development for current teachers and school staff.

“Human trafficking is an economic crime driven by greed. Perpetrators look to control and exploit the most vulnerable among us, tragically even from the youngest ages. It’s not something that only happens somewhere else. For example, right here in Orange County, in 2021 and 2022, two out of five sex trafficking victims was a minor,¹ and we continue to see alarming rates of this crime. Through Amplify, we are able to further the GCWJ’s work focused on prevention, detection, and early intervention for all—especially our youth,” said Dr. Morgan. “We invite the community to join us in this work and become a part of the solution to safeguard the next generation.”

For over 20 years, GCWJ has provided training and resources to promote education and awareness in the Orange County community, to students and parents, and to leaders around the world. The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force reported in its 2021 annual report that, in 2019 and 2020, services were provided for 357 victims of human trafficking, and 101 of them were minors. Through research, education, advocacy and collaboration with community partners, including the Orange County Department of Education and child welfare at its annual Ensure Justice conference, GCWJ works to build a community where human trafficking cannot continue. With its emphasis on education, GCWJ also continues to provide support to survivors of human trafficking by granting scholarships at Vanguard University. To learn more, visit gcwj.org. 

 

About Amplify Award Recipient Rachel C. Thomas 

Rachel C. Thomas, M. Ed is a graduate of UCLA, a presidential appointee to the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, and a personal survivor of human trafficking. She has extensive experience teaching, training, curriculum writing, public speaking and mentoring. As director of Sowers Education Group, she and a team work

tirelessly to sow seeds of human trafficking awareness and survivor empowerment. Rachel has educated and inspired a wide range of audiences including teens, social service providers, churches, teachers, college students, and law enforcement. She is the lead author of the nation's most widely used sex trafficking intervention curriculum Ending The Game (Journal Of Women and Criminal Justice, 2021). Since 2012, Rachel and the Sowers Team have reached over 150,000 live audience members and millions more through numerous media outlets including CNN, HLN, The T.D. Jakes Show, The New York Times Upfront Magazine and ABC’s Newsmakers. Rachel was honored by Congressman Ed Royce of California’s 39th district and Los Angeles Supervisor Don Knabe for her leadership and trafficking prevention efforts.

About Sandra Morgan, Ph.D.

Within her role as faculty member and director of the GCWJ, Dr. Morgan fosters research, education and advocacy to stop the exploitation of women and children. She oversees the education and training of students and professionals on collaborative strategies to prevent and counter human trafficking, equitably address immigration and 

migrant challenges, advocate for victims and promote human rights. Her experience serving missing and exploited children includes providing direct care as a pediatric nurse, as a volunteer with Doctors of the World and as a former administrator of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF). In 2022, Dr. Morgan released her book, co-authored with Shayne Moore and Kimberly McOwen Yim, titled “Ending Human Trafficking: A Handbook of Strategies for the Church Today.” She is a recipient of the William Wilberforce award.

About Vanguard University
Founded in 1920, Vanguard University in Costa Mesa is a private, Christian, comprehensive university of liberal arts, sciences and professional studies that encompasses more than 2,200 students from every region in the country, over 33,000 alumni worldwide, 100 full-time faculty, over 30 undergraduate programs and six graduate degree programs. A hallmark of a Vanguard education is collaborative scholarship in the arts and sciences, which foster the intellectual development, moral maturity and spiritual vitality of its students for the public good. Rooted in a strong academic tradition and commitment to student success, Vanguard University is recognized by the U.S. News & World Report 2023 rankings as a first-tier regional university in the West, a Top Performer on Social Mobility, a Best College in the West for Veterans, a Best Value School and a Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program. Vanguard University represents a diverse student population, with 68 percent students of color, 47 percent Hispanic and nearly half of students the first in their family to attend college. Please visit vanguard.edu.

 

¹Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, Human Trafficking Victim Report 2023.