Help rescue the girls before another one dies

JASMINE LYNNE RICHARDSON (PICTURED ABOVE) DIED 5 DAYS AGO. THERE ARE 45 MORE GIRLS LIKE HER. Without our help, they are all at risk.

The Teen Project, Inc., Los Angeles location, the largest rescue facility for human trafficked young women was closed less than two weeks ago due to landlord's refusal to ensure building's upkeep and a new Fire Department's unwillingness to compromise, and exerting their power, even if it cost our girls their lives.

The facts: This building has been a rehab for people in need for 40+ years. We have never had a fire. The fire department has approved our permits in a timely manner every year. This year the newly appointed Chief changed her mind and said for the past 40 years it shouldn't have been approved, and revoked it, dumping our girls that we in the midst of drug treatment.

The victims: Young girls that had been trafficked, many from foster care) were removed without notice, some placed in other rehabs, but the majority dumped back on the streets.

How did this happen? A long-standing dispute with city fire department and landlord over several defunct buildings. When they closed a bunch of her buildings down, ours was simply collateral damage.

Heartbreaking Reality: We told them the girls could die due to their vulnerable state of physical and psychological detox, and immense trauma...but they wouldn't budge.

Jasmine Lynne Richardson died 8 days later.

Now they know... Forty-six girls, survivors of unimaginable trauma, classified as disabled by disease of addiction and co-occurring trauma, were immediately separated from their safe refuge and their counselors. Their lives are all at risk right now.

Jasmine was detoxing from Suboxone when they pushed her out. She has a young son. He was her reason for wanting to change her life and committing to stay in rehab for a year. Jasmine and others were inconsolable, shaking and weeping as the county officials shuttled them out of their only home.

"I truly don't know if I would still be here if I had been removed from rehab in 1987." Lauri Burns, Founder.

We have a valid fire permit from the same department that shut us down.

Once again, God has us: We purchased another building in 2022 with eyes on expansion. It has been a long and costly construction project, with almost a million in construction overruns, but now we see God's perfect timing! We just lost our building, and the new one is almost ready!

Who has contributed so far?

But we still need a few more things to open!

Emergency Action Needed: We urgently need your support purchase beds, bedroom furniture, living room and dining room and appliances!

Your Contribution at Work: Your support isn't just a donation; it's a lifeline to rescue our girls, and all of the young girls that will be rescued from here on out. Thousands of girls.

We are almost there!

WHAT IS NEEDED STILL:

• Bedroom Furniture & Beds: $30,000

• Dining Room Chairs and Tables: $21,200

• Two Commercial Ovens $32,000

• Commercial Refrigerator & Freezer $12,000

• Two sets of Washers & Dryers $5000

• Three large passenger vans $120,000

• Paint (inside and out) $30,000

Elective Representatives Helping Us: Helping daily to push permits through are Mayor Bass’ office, Councilwoman Imelda Padilla’s office and Supervisor Lindsay Horvath’s office. We must restore this critical service.

Deadline: Time is not on our side. We're racing against the clock before another girl dies. Every minute counts.

Join the Fight: Your donation will save these girls’ lives. Be a part of this urgent mission to preserve the sanctuary these girls call home.

Who are we: As a trusted partner in the community, we have six facilities, we are the only licensed treatment provider for foster children that are victims of trafficking or young women in the country. We are the largest in the state for this population.

We have saved over thousands of young people (boys and girls) for the past 15 years. This was our largest site.

Our Founder, Lauri Burns, Author of Punished for Purpose, was a victim of childhood abuse, the foster care system and a human trafficking victim, she leads our unstoppable leader.

Together, We Can: Let's rally, share, and donate to ensure the doors the girls are rescued. These young women deserve a chance at a brighter future.

Spread the Word: Share this post and help us reach our goal. The power of community can conquer any challenge. Let's make sure these girls know they are not alone; PEOPLE REALLY DO CARE!

All donors will be invited to the Ribbon Cutting and opening to meet the girls whose lives they have saved.

OUR NEW BUILDING! AN ANSWERED PRAYER!