Blog Archive

Celebrating 2023 at Rest Stop Ministries

As this year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on all God has done in and through RSM. We’re thrilled to share a variety of moments that stand out to us from the past twelve months! Read more in our newsletter by clicking here. Through the generous support of this community, we are able to keep our doors open and provide excellent care for survivors of sex trafficking while stopping cycles of oppression. The milestones, accomplishments, and wrap-around services residents receive would not be possible without you! As you plan your year-end charitable giving, please consider partnering financially with Rest Stop Ministries. Donations can be made through our secure Kindful platform by clicking here. For larger amounts, please mail checks to the address listed below in order to save the credit card and processing fees. To receive 2023 giving credit, checks must be dated by December 31, 2023. ​Rest Stop Ministries PO Box 156 Hermitage, TN 37076

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Giving Tuesday – November 28, 2023

While so much darkness surrounds the criminal oppression of sex trafficking, at Rest Stop Ministries we’re honored to offer comprehensive services and resources for survivors so that they may step into healing and HOPE. ⁠ This month, we’ll be shining a light on milestones and celebrations, resources offered, and moments filled with hope in preparation for Giving Tuesday on November 28. We hope you’ll follow along and join our amazing community of supporters on this global day of generosity that kicks off the biggest giving season of the year! ​GIVE TODAY!

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Half & Half Marathon 2023

Lace up those running sneakers! On Saturday, November 11, our friends at Cooking Around Town are hosting the Half and Half Marathon, a coffee-themed 5k, 10k, and half marathon benefitting Rest Stop Ministries.⁠ ⁠ The race will start at Mt. Juliet High School, and wind through the greenways, Charlie Daniel’s Park, local neighborhoods, and then finish back at the high school. All ages and skill levels are welcome – Feel free to walk if you like! ​ On race day, all participants will receive a Half and Half Marathon t-shirt and coffee mug. Plus, coffee, hot chocolate, water, and homemade goodies will be waiting for you at the finish line by our friends at Billy Goat Coffee! ⁠ CLICK HERE to register TODAY!

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📚 We're thrilled to share RSM’s Summer Reading List with you! 📚⁠
⁠
Have you ever found yourself wondering:⁠
 ❓ What really happened to her?⁠
 ❓ Why don’t we tell her story in full detail?⁠
⁠
The answer is simple... ethical storytelling matters! 💥 Her story is hers to tell. Not ours.🙊⁠
⁠
Too often, survivor stories have been used to stir emotions or raise funds. 😥⁠
⁠
But we know she has been used enough. Her entire life was marked by exploitation. 💔 At RSM, she has found safety, hope, and a future. 🌈⁠
⁠
In our staff picked reading list, you’ll find:⁠
⁠
 🕊️ Survivor stories told by the survivors themselves—shared from a place of freedom and empowerment.⁠
⁠
 💫 Resources to help you engage in trauma-informed communication.⁠
⁠
 💙 Guides to becoming a true friend and mentor in her new season of life.⁠
⁠
Are you interested in learning how to better support her journey? Let’s #RestoreSurvivors and #StopOppression —together. 🌿⁠
⁠
🔗Newsletter link in the comments below.⁠
#SheIsPriceless #StopOppression #SheIsNotForSale

📚 We`re thrilled to share RSM’s Summer Reading List with you! 📚⁠

Have you ever found yourself wondering:⁠
❓ What really happened to her?⁠
❓ Why don’t we tell her story in full detail?⁠

The answer is simple... ethical storytelling matters! 💥 Her story is hers to tell. Not ours.🙊⁠

Too often, survivor stories have been used to stir emotions or raise funds. 😥⁠

But we know she has been used enough. Her entire life was marked by exploitation. 💔 At RSM, she has found safety, hope, and a future. 🌈⁠

In our staff picked reading list, you’ll find:⁠

🕊️ Survivor stories told by the survivors themselves—shared from a place of freedom and empowerment.⁠

💫 Resources to help you engage in trauma-informed communication.⁠

💙 Guides to becoming a true friend and mentor in her new season of life.⁠

Are you interested in learning how to better support her journey? Let’s #RestoreSurvivors and #StopOppression —together. 🌿⁠

🔗Newsletter link in the comments below.⁠
#SheIsPriceless #StopOppression #SheIsNotForSale
...

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Look who trotted his way to Rest Stop Ministries! 🦓✨ #IYKYK⁠
⁠
We don’t usually host zebras, but we do believe in second chances and safe spaces. Plus, we could use some help around the farm with Lauren's baby on the way! ⁠
⁠
Just another wild reminder that healing can happen for anyone. 💚 ⁠
⁠
#RestStopMinistries #OnlyInTennessee #FaithHopeAndZebras

Look who trotted his way to Rest Stop Ministries! 🦓✨ #IYKYK⁠

We don’t usually host zebras, but we do believe in second chances and safe spaces. Plus, we could use some help around the farm with Lauren`s baby on the way! ⁠

Just another wild reminder that healing can happen for anyone. 💚 ⁠

#RestStopMinistries #OnlyInTennessee #FaithHopeAndZebras
...

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🌈 Happy Four-Year Work Anniversary, Susan! 🌈⁠
⁠
Susan is a ray of sunshine at the office! 🌞 She FAITH-fully serves as our bookkeeper, and let’s be honest, it’s no small feat gathering receipts, timesheets, and donation info from our already busy staff! 🤪⁠
⁠
Through it all, she carries out her work with incredible patience, kindness, and always with a smile. 💙⁠
⁠
Please help us congratulate Susan on four amazing years at RSM! 👏🎉⁠
⁠
#RestoreSurvivors #SowingInLove #HopeGrowsHere #SheIsPriceless⁠

🌈 Happy Four-Year Work Anniversary, Susan! 🌈⁠

Susan is a ray of sunshine at the office! 🌞 She FAITH-fully serves as our bookkeeper, and let’s be honest, it’s no small feat gathering receipts, timesheets, and donation info from our already busy staff! 🤪⁠

Through it all, she carries out her work with incredible patience, kindness, and always with a smile. 💙⁠

Please help us congratulate Susan on four amazing years at RSM! 👏🎉⁠

#RestoreSurvivors #SowingInLove #HopeGrowsHere #SheIsPriceless⁠
...

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May is a reminder to check in on your mental health and ask for help if you need it. Let’s lift each other up. #MentalHealthMatters #SheIsNotForSale 🧠🩵

May is a reminder to check in on your mental health and ask for help if you need it. Let’s lift each other up. #MentalHealthMatters #SheIsNotForSale 🧠🩵 ...

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Together, We Heal: Read How We Can Support Survivor Mental Health in this newsletter 🌿⁠
⁠
🪴Hannah, our therapist, shares reflections from the work she does through compassion group.⁠
⁠
🌻Good Hope Farms is featuring survivor-made artisan products this season.⁠
⁠
❓️What can you do to help support mental health awareness for survivors and your community? We've included some helpful tips!⁠
⁠
🚜In less than two minutes, you could enter RSM for a mini-grant and be a hometown hero!⁠
⁠
🔗https://mailchi.mp/reststopministries/together-we-heal⁠
#MentalHealthAwareness #RestoreSurvivors #SheIsPriceless

Together, We Heal: Read How We Can Support Survivor Mental Health in this newsletter 🌿⁠

🪴Hannah, our therapist, shares reflections from the work she does through compassion group.⁠

🌻Good Hope Farms is featuring survivor-made artisan products this season.⁠

❓️What can you do to help support mental health awareness for survivors and your community? We`ve included some helpful tips!⁠

🚜In less than two minutes, you could enter RSM for a mini-grant and be a hometown hero!⁠

🔗https://mailchi.mp/reststopministries/together-we-heal⁠
#MentalHealthAwareness #RestoreSurvivors #SheIsPriceless
...

3 1
👏 Shout out to Patty, our Senior Director of Finance and Administration! 👏⁠
⁠
Thanks to Patty’s expertise, commitment, and eye for detail, we've made transformative strides in how we track and measure everything that is provided to survivors through Rest Stop Ministries programs. 📊⁠
⁠
When RSM realized our client experience software tool wasn’t quite the right fit for our restoration pillars, Patty stepped in and got to work. 💪 From day one with Team Rest Stop, she began reimagining how the tech we had could be customized and improved to meet our unique needs. 🌿⁠
⁠
With financial and technical support from our friends at @HighTideConsulting_, Patty fine-tuned the platform into a powerful resource that now helps us monitor mental health therapies, program milestones, survivor outcomes, and so much more. ✅⁠
⁠
Her success didn’t go unnoticed either. Due to her success with this critical project, Patty was invited to share her insights during a professional development webinar hosted by High Tide! 🎉⁠
⁠
Thank you, Patty, for your dedication to Excellence, Integrity, and Transparency—one of the core values we hold close at RSM. 💫⁠
⁠
#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression #SheIsNotForSale #MHAM2025

👏 Shout out to Patty, our Senior Director of Finance and Administration! 👏⁠

Thanks to Patty’s expertise, commitment, and eye for detail, we`ve made transformative strides in how we track and measure everything that is provided to survivors through Rest Stop Ministries programs. 📊⁠

When RSM realized our client experience software tool wasn’t quite the right fit for our restoration pillars, Patty stepped in and got to work. 💪 From day one with Team Rest Stop, she began reimagining how the tech we had could be customized and improved to meet our unique needs. 🌿⁠

With financial and technical support from our friends at @HighTideConsulting_, Patty fine-tuned the platform into a powerful resource that now helps us monitor mental health therapies, program milestones, survivor outcomes, and so much more. ✅⁠

Her success didn’t go unnoticed either. Due to her success with this critical project, Patty was invited to share her insights during a professional development webinar hosted by High Tide! 🎉⁠

Thank you, Patty, for your dedication to Excellence, Integrity, and Transparency—one of the core values we hold close at RSM. 💫⁠

#RestoreSurvivors #StopOppression #SheIsNotForSale #MHAM2025
...

8 2
🌼 "It’s all I had to give." 🌼⁠
⁠
She arrived in a new place, feeling hopeless and lost. 💔 Though she was on the path to freedom, it didn’t feel like it yet. 😢⁠
⁠
But during Easter celebrations in her new home, something shifted. She laughed while hunting eggs, mischief twinkling in her eyes as she playfully tossed them at her sister survivors and staff. 💙⁠
⁠
Later, seeking a moment of peace, she stepped outside for fresh air and quiet. 🌈 When she returned, her hands held a small fistful of delicate wildflowers. She gave them to Residential Manager, Tara, with a soft smile and a simple, powerful phrase: “It’s all I had to give.” 💐⁠
⁠
Moments like this — filled with healing, gratitude, and authentic joy — are the heartbeat of our mission to #RestoreSurvivors. 🌿⁠
⁠
#SheIsPriceless #SowingInLove #StopOppression #HopeHeals

🌼 "It’s all I had to give." 🌼⁠

She arrived in a new place, feeling hopeless and lost. 💔 Though she was on the path to freedom, it didn’t feel like it yet. 😢⁠

But during Easter celebrations in her new home, something shifted. She laughed while hunting eggs, mischief twinkling in her eyes as she playfully tossed them at her sister survivors and staff. 💙⁠

Later, seeking a moment of peace, she stepped outside for fresh air and quiet. 🌈 When she returned, her hands held a small fistful of delicate wildflowers. She gave them to Residential Manager, Tara, with a soft smile and a simple, powerful phrase: “It’s all I had to give.” 💐⁠

Moments like this — filled with healing, gratitude, and authentic joy — are the heartbeat of our mission to #RestoreSurvivors. 🌿⁠

#SheIsPriceless #SowingInLove #StopOppression #HopeHeals
...

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