We had the good fortune of connecting with Abigail Ours and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abigail, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
Treasured Vessels Foundation serves survivors of sex trafficking in North Texas. TVF has a safe home operating as a clinically therapeutic aftercare program for survivors of domestic sex trafficking. Women often come to TVF directly from jail, exploitative situations, or court. Many have tried to escape their traffickers before and weren’t successful. They have endured intense sexual and mental abuse, often lack money, have a limited education, and lack supportive friends or family. TVF’s program is a vital resource. Our services focus on developing stability while increasing capacity for autonomy and long-term sustainability in the future. The program is tailored specifically to each woman’s unique needs and lasts anywhere from 18-36 months. We want help ensure each woman does not end up back in the life, confined in poverty, homelessness and trauma. We want to help each woman walk confidently toward their dreams and support them in achieving success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Three years ago I joined Treasured Vessels Foundation staff when I became connected with Founder and CEO, Alicia Bush, in Thailand on a missions trip to serve women in the sex industry. At the time I was still in college and was pursuing a degree in Organizational Leadership. I had an understanding of sex trafficking and had helped women being actively exploited. However, I had a very limited knowledge of non-profit operations and quickly became surprised by how unaware I was of the intricacies of a 501(c)3. When I started on staff, I was a full time student and was grateful for the opportunity to apply what I was actively learning in school. We officially opened our doors in January 2020 to serve survivors. Since TVF’s inception in 2016, we have been actively raising awareness, fundraising, developing relationships with other non-profits, learning, and serving women actively being prostituted. I think we all learned the importance of working hard and persevering even when the dream seems so far out of reach.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Dallas has been my home for the last 5 years. I feel like I am always discovering new spots but cherishing my favorites! I love getting coffee at Merit, brunch at Overeasy, Happy Hour at HG Supply Co. and dinner at Paradiso. Watching the sunset at White Rock Lake is my favorite! There are so many hidden gems around DFW.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We want to give a SHOUT OUT to all the brave ladies we have served and those who we one day will. Each woman daily chooses to persevere in taking steps toward freedom and growth. Recovery is not an easy journey but they show up and continue persevere.

Website: https://treasuredvesselsfoundation.org/
Instagram: @treasuredvesselsfoundation
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/treasured-vessels-foundation
Twitter: @treasuredvf
Facebook: Treasured Vessels Foundation

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.