S2E02: Refuge for the Trafficked

Your Nonprofit Life

SEASON 2, EPISODE 2: CONTENT WARNING This episode includes discussions about sex trafficking and exploitation of young children. So, if this is something you want to skip, you should skip it. So, if this is something you want to skip, you should skip it. Listener discretion advised.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month so I’m interviewing a variety of nonprofit leaders—founders, CEOs, and Executive Directors—who run organizations addressing the horrible evil of human trafficking.

My guest in this episode is Heather Bland. Heather is the CEO of My Refuge House, a long-term aftercare home in Cebu Philippines where survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse live in a safe, family-like environment while receiving comprehensive, therapeutic care so they can reclaim their lives.

During our interview, Heather shares how she knew from a very young age what she wanted to be when she grew up, and I promise you it’s something you’ve never heard of before! We also discuss the incredible origin story of My Refuge House and how one small church in Southern California determined to change lives in the Philippines.

Heather is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and so we have some bonus content at the beginning of our interview where we discuss the StrengthsFinder Assessment as well as Marcus Buckingham’s StandOut Assessment (which he is currently offering at no charge due to the pandemic). Links to both assessments are in the show notes.

My interview with Heather is a little longer than others, but I promise you’ll go away informed, inspired, and filled-up with hope for humanity—not to mention a little more educated about discovering your strengths.

She’s just a phenomenal leader, plus she’s funny and fun. I’m excited for you to meet her. This was such an interesting, lively conversation—despite the heavy subject matter. I think it’s because what Heather and her team are doing at My Refuge House is so incredibly inspiring.

Enjoy this incredible conversation with this hope wielding, loud laughing, includer, optimist, storyteller, coffee drinker, and inventor of "the good vibe thumb": Heather Bland the CEO of My Refuge House.

https://yournonprofitlife.com/s2e02-heather-bland/