Sonjaia
I grew up in a challenging environment in New York, living with my mother, her boyfriend, and my siblings. Sometimes, we didn’t have basic necessities like running water. My mom struggled with addiction, and I often took on the responsibility of caring for my siblings. It was tough, especially with nine kids in the house, my mom being unpredictable and at times aggressive, and hardships due to my mother’s boyfriend.
One day, when I was visiting my father, my mom didn’t show up to take me home. Over time, the court granted my father custody, and at the age of eight, I moved in with him and my stepmom. Although living with my dad and stepmom was an improvement, I was still carrying a lot of emotional weight. I didn’t feel like the same person they saw during visitations, and I began acting out. That’s when, at age 13, I became involved with the Safe Harbor program.
Being part of the Safe Harbor program was a turning point for me. Through the program, I was able to talk about my experiences and trauma, and I received support that helped me navigate my challenges. The team at Safe Harbor made a huge difference, offering transportation, food, and emotional support. My therapist helped me understand what I had gone through, and art therapy taught me valuable coping skills. Now at 18, I have graduated from high school and enrolled in community college.
My experiences with Safe Harbor have inspired me to pursue a career where I can help teens and families. I want to be a social worker who truly understands the struggles that children face. Having lived through trauma, I want to offer the support I once needed, and I believe I can make a positive impact.
As I look ahead to my future, I know there will still be challenges, but I feel confident that whatever my next steps are, they’ll be a positive and fulfilling journey.
Sonjaia credits her progress to the therapists in the Safe Harbor Program. The Safe Harbor Program provides therapy to help youth who have been or are at high risk of being trafficked or sexually exploited gain the confidence and courage to return safely to their families.