A Heart for Healing: Rayne’s VPTO with Emerging Grace

At Good Agency, we’re committed to empowering our team members to make a difference through our Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO) program. In this featured blog, we highlight Rayne B., our dedicated SEO Specialist, who used her VPTO day to support Emerging Grace Ministries—an organization with a powerful mission to combat child sex trafficking. Read on to learn about Rayne’s deep passion for this cause and her unwavering commitment to positively impacting the lives of women and children affected by this issue.

Rayne has been a valuable member of the Good Agency team since November 2023, serving as an SEO Specialist. In this role, she assists clients in enhancing their online visibility and Google rankings. Her responsibilities include keeping Google Business profiles updated, optimizing websites for search engines, implementing code for better Google accessibility, and occasionally crafting SEO-focused blogs. Her work is versatile, tailored to each client’s unique needs, but always with the overarching goal of strengthening their online presence.

For her VPTO day, Rayne chose to volunteer with Emerging Grace Ministries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting against child sex trafficking. Volunteering with Emerging Grace Ministries is more than just fulfilling a corporate responsibility for Rayne—it’s a deeply personal mission. “I’ve been involved with them since the beginning,” she shares, noting that her parents helped start the foundation. This long-standing connection has fueled her passion for the cause, driving her to play an active role in the organization’s mission.

Reflecting on the importance of the work, Rayne shared, “I don’t know how you couldn’t care about these girls. They’re abused over and over and over, and they’re stuck in this life with really nowhere to go. In America, there’s really nowhere for them to go to be long-term. It doesn’t exist. So Emerging Grace is the first of its kind.“

Rayne dedicated her VPTO day to volunteering at “Tee Off to End It,” a golf tournament organized by Emerging Grace Ministries to raise funds to support the organization’s mission. “I was in charge of checking people in and managing the software. So if anyone wanted to purchase anything, I taught all the volunteers how to use that software, or I would check people out personally,” Rayne explains. Her role extended beyond check-ins, as she also handled payments for the silent and live auctions and created the PowerPoint presentation used during the event.

The tournament was a success, drawing participants from small local businesses to major corporations. Rayne attributed this success to the genuine passion and commitment of everyone involved. Volunteers and donors were united by a shared purpose—supporting Emerging Grace Ministries and their vital mission to end child trafficking.

Emerging Grace’s success is attributed to their passionate approach combined with strategic planning. Rayne highlights the ministry’s priorities in both the protection and healing of vulnerable girls while also carefully devising plans to guarantee long-term impact. The programs are meticulously designed based on extensive research to ensure that each girl receives tailored support for rebuilding her life. “You’ve got to have passion, but you also have to have a plan to protect these girls,” Rayne says. This principle is evident in every aspect of the organization’s approach, from the design of their care programs to their engagement with supporters and donors.

The Critical Need for Long-Term Care

Rayne also highlights how Emerging Grace Ministries provides a unique and supportive environment for girls rescued from sex trafficking by offering them ample personal space. Each girl shares a room with no more than one other resident, ensuring a sense of privacy and ownership over their surroundings. This arrangement is part of the ministry’s broader mission to offer long-term, individualized care without an age-out limit, allowing the girls to heal and rebuild their lives at their own pace.

This approach is critical, as Rayne explains, “The return rate back into sex trafficking is almost 100% when they’re rescued. So, they will most likely go back unless something changes. And so that’s why the long-term care center is so important—to lower that re-victimization rate.” By offering ongoing, comprehensive support, Emerging Grace gives these young survivors a real chance to break free from the cycle of abuse.

Designed for Lasting Impact

Emerging Grace’s approach is about providing immediate relief and creating a sustainable environment where true healing can occur. The organization’s commitment to long-term care and individualized support for each girl is a testament to this philosophy, setting a standard for other nonprofits in the field.

The organization’s model includes more than just a safe place to live; it encompasses a holistic approach to care that addresses the girls’ educational, emotional, and physical needs. Rayne explains that many girls in trafficking are significantly behind in their schooling, often stuck at an elementary level. Emerging Grace employs a full-time education director to help each girl catch up academically to combat this.

Beyond education, the program includes recreational activities and therapy, focusing on healing the mind, body, and soul. “They do recreational activities. We have a recreational director who’s in charge of all that. They will receive therapy and counseling, and they also will have regular wellness checks with doctor visits,” Rayne adds. The program is thoughtfully designed in every regard, including ensuring they are placed within similar age groups.

Emerging Grace Ministries offers more than just immediate relief; it provides a comprehensive path to recovery, empowering young survivors with the tools, support, and time they need to reclaim their lives and futures.

Rayne’s faith in Jesus Christ is a driving force in her involvement with Emerging Grace Ministries. “I think for when it comes down to faith, it’s all about the Lord’s healing and being able to participate in that and be God’s hands and feet,” she reflects. Rayne sees her role as more than just service—it’s an opportunity to be an active participant in the healing and restoration of those who have suffered.

Reflecting on the broader implications of corporate volunteer programs, Rayne appreciates the intentional approach Good Agency takes with its VPTO program. “A lot of corporations will use corporate social responsibility, and they’re not really passionate about it,” she observes. “What I love about what we do is VPTO, allowing employees to choose what they’re passionate about when going out to serve. It’s not just about checking a box—we’re not here to earn more money or get more things. We’re here to serve others and help others.”

Rayne’s final piece of advice? “When you’re feeling down, the best way to pick yourself up is to go serve other people… It gives you perspective and fulfills you in a way that nothing else can.” It’s important to remember that by serving others, we can shift our perspectives away from ourselves and, in a remarkable way, find healing and purpose in our own lives.

Rayne’s experience with Emerging Grace Ministries has fueled her passion for encouraging others to find causes that resonate with them. For those considering using their VPTO days, Rayne suggests starting with prayer.

Prayer

“Pray first and foremost—‘Lord, how do you want to use me?’—and see where you are led,” Rayne advises. This faith-filled approach helps ensure that individuals align their volunteer efforts with their personal values, leading to more fulfilling and impactful service.

Volunteering

Rayne emphasizes the importance of hands-on involvement when getting involved in the fight against human trafficking. Volunteering at sponsorship events like those organized by Emerging Grace Ministries is a direct way to contribute to a cause and make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.

Donating

Beyond volunteering, there are practical ways to support Emerging Grace Ministries. Donations of money, services or goods are equally valuable. Whether it’s contributing a vehicle to help the girls get to appointments or providing other essential resources or services, every bit helps the organization fulfill its mission. If you are interested in making a financial contribution to Emerging Grace Ministries, click here.

Spreading Awareness

Lastly, Rayne mentions that awareness is another crucial way to support causes like Emerging Grace Ministries. By sharing information and encouraging others to get involved, you can help broaden the impact and ensure that more people are aware of the issues and how they can contribute to solving them.

Rayne’s VPTO day with Emerging Grace Ministries demonstrates the beautiful impact that personal passion and corporate responsibility can achieve together. By volunteering, Rayne not only supported a vital organization but also deepened her commitment to a cause close to her heart. If you’re inspired by her story and want to join the fight against child trafficking or learn more about Emerging Grace Ministries’ mission, visit their website.

At Good Agency, we’re proud to support our team members in their efforts to make a positive impact through our VPTO program. Rayne’s story is a testament to the power of aligning personal passion with professional opportunities, and we encourage all our employees to find causes that resonate with them and make a difference.