Step Up Houston - Stop the Traffic

Hello my name is Ravon Gaines. I am a wife, mother, police officer, author, business owner and Life Coach.  I would like to share an amazing opportunity! Let me explain. Several years ago, I got the courage to finally leave my husband after he became abusive so I filed for a divorce and planned to leave by the end of the week.  In hopes of wanting to appear normal. We deciced to go out for my birthday. The decision to look normal, even though in the mist of dysfunction changed my life forever. My husband called me all morning to take him back and when i refused, he said "I hope you make it home before the kids, I dont want them to see the mess." Fear gripped me and i knew he was capable of carrying out his threat of suicide once and for all. I rushed home in the nick of time to get my kids. I loaded my kids into the truck and went inside the house. He was there...ready...determined to make me pay for leaving him. We fought and by the grace of God i got away. All of a sudden i realized i left my purse at work. i jumped in my vehicle with my kids and headed to downtown Houston. When I made it to Southwest frwy, my son announced we were being followed. My husband pulled up next to me gesturing for me to pull over. I knew if I had stopped, we all would be dead. As I entered the ramp, he pulled up next to me with a gun in his hand. He said, "Are you going to take me back?" I replied, "No, I cant...you need help!"  He said, "So you really think youre strong enough to leave?"  I nodded. My insides were so twisted..I didnt know what to expect. He yelled, "Ok if youre strong, lets see if you can handle this....Hey yall look at dad!"   Still clueless to the danger that they were in, my kids faces were pressed up against the window in anticipation of a great prank. Instead, he placed a loaded gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger. 

His last words haunted me. The selfishness. The nerve. Why did I stay in this situation this long? What could i have done differenty? I had been to a shelter, but it felt like a hospital or overcrowded dungeon. I didnt feel safe. Or someone from the church or from a support group would advise me to return...because what woman would leave her nice home and such an attractive, successful father and husband? In search for answers and to make a difference in the lives of others I became a police officer. The streets are cruel and even more cruel if you have no hope.  And it was on the streets that I realized Houston is the core of human sex trafficking and I knew something had to be done!  It is this strategic combination of Survivor, Nurturer, Encourager and Protector that began my journey six years ago to develop a community outreach program Monarch Way of Hope (MWOH). MWOH is a safe-house, rescue and mentoring program for women and children who are survivors of human sex trafficking or violent crimes.

I made it my personal endeavor to help others turn their -Shame-n2Success; I partnered with Juda Myers from, Choices4-Life, offering resources to ladies who have conceived a child from rape and Cheryl Briggs from Mission at Serenity Ranch, who a human sex trafficked survivor and advisor of Texas legislative laws. Mission at Serenity Ranch offers theraputic resources for our residential human sex trafficking survivors.  This faith walk has not been easy. We have overcome many hurdles, setbacks and persecution from persons with legalistic attitudes. This is why I'm reaching out to you!  Due to an overwhelming need for our services Mission at Serenity Ranch and Monarch Way of Hope Safe-House are expanding.  This is great news for Houston and surrouding areas and bad news for the perverts abusing our community.  Step Up Houston and take responsibilty for this plague. If it were a medical outbreak, the community would be in an uproar. We are needing $1,500,000 to purchase a 3.5 acres of land with a beautiful ole'style ranch home, with daycare and training facility.  This oais will serve as a community cornerstone and restoration to the broken. If the wicked can come together to detroy lives ...then surely the good can come together to Restore lives!