Safe Gala planning committee members, all wearing formal dresses are Jillian Lipinski, left, Allie Marie Smith, Melissa Jordano, Kielle Campbell Lindsey, Raina Palta, Michelle Kass, and Christie Myers Pierce. (SAFE SBC photo)
Safe Gala planning committee members are Jillian Lipinski, left, Allie Marie Smith, Melissa Jordano, Kielle Campbell Lindsey, Raina Palta, Michelle Kass, and Christie Myers Pierce. (SAFE SBC photo)

The Strategic Alliance to Fight Exploitation Santa Barbara County (SAFE SBC) celebrated its 3rd Annual Freedom to Flourish Gala recently, raising nearly $300,000 to combat local human trafficking.

The event brought together nearly 200 philanthropists, community leaders, law enforcement officials, nonprofit partners, and advocates for the event dedicated to protecting vulnerable individuals and combating human trafficking and exploitation in Santa Barbara County, organizers said.

Freedom to Flourish was emceed by Kielle Campbell Lindsey, SAFE SBC Board chair.

Keynote speaker was Alia Azariah, a trafficking survivor, nationally recognized advocate, and leader in survivor care and anti-trafficking response.
Also addressing the gala was County District Attorney John Savrnoch.

The evening celebrated SAFE SBC’s transformation into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and highlighted its growing role as a strategic funding and collaborative partner for organizations working to prevent exploitation, support survivors, and strengthen the countywide response to human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is a complex issue that requires more than awareness. It requires collaboration, strategic resources, and solutions tailored to the needs of our own community,” said Lindsey.

“SAFE exists to fill critical gaps in funding, empower the experts doing this work every day, and bring organizations together to create lasting change,” Lindsey said.

“Our goal is simple: to protect our children, support survivors, and ensure that every vulnerable person in Santa Barbara County has the freedom to flourish,” Lindsey said.

Over the past 18 months, SAFE SBC has awarded more than $300,000 in strategic grants supporting education, prevention, survivor services, case management, research, and community collaboration.

Among the organization’s notable accomplishments:
• Expanding prevention education: SAFE-supported programming delivered the Word on the Street Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) prevention curriculum to North County students, educators, counselors and administrators. 

• SAFE funded a full-time CSEC Caseworker and Youth Navigator at Noah’s Anchorage, part of Channel Islands YMCA, providing trauma-informed support for youth ages 12-24. 

• In partnership with Micah Mission in Lompoc, SAFE funded dedicated Women’s Care Days, providing private mobile showers, meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, and connections to healthcare and behavioral wellness services in a dignified, supportive environment.

• Provided flexible survivor assistance, through grants to Channel Islands YMCA and Good Samaritan Shelter to address urgent survivor needs, including clothing, food, hygiene supplies, and other essential resources that traditional funding sources may not cover.

• SAFE has funded critical data collection, lived-experience and subject-matter expert consultations, and an Interfaith Collaborative position through Kingdom Causes to strengthen coordination and inform effective local responses.

• Reimagined and funded the Transcend Documentary, a locally focused film project examining exploitation, prevention, and the collaborative efforts underway throughout Santa Barbara County.

Participating community partners at the gala included Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Victim-Witness Assistance Program, Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force, Kingdom Causes, Olive Crest/Hope Refuge, Safe House Project.

John Price holds up his card to made a bid during the live auction at the SAFE gala. (SAFE SBC photo)
John Price holds up his card to made a bid during the live auction. (SAFE SBC photo)

Also, UCSB, Noah’s Anchorage/Channel Islands YMCA, Junior League of Santa Barbara, Students for Survivors, Tzedakah Foundation, the Interfaith Collaborative, Filament Media, North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center, Excellent Way Foundation.

Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission, YouthWell, Wholeness Journey, and Kids Helping Kids.

During gala, SAFE SBC announced the addition of two trustees to its Board of Directors: Megan Rheinschild, director of the Victim-Witness Assistance Program; and Patrick Clouse, former chief investigator for the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office and current managing director of FourFend.

Looking ahead, SAFE SBC said it will prioritize continued funding for dedicated CSEC case management; expansion of youth caseworkers in North County; enhanced data collection, flexible survivor assistance; and strategic grants for community partners.

Additional priorities include completing and releasing the “Transcend” prevention documentary; developing a scalable countywide training platform; and supporting the creation of a coordinated 24/7 emergency response protocol for trafficking survivors.

“One of the greatest challenges in fighting trafficking is the lack of reliable local data and flexible funding,” Lindsey said. “SAFE is uniquely positioned to respond quickly, invest strategically, and support the programs our local experts know will make the greatest difference.

“We believe the work being developed here can become a model for communities throughout California and beyond.”

The gala was supported by presenting sponsor, Mira Vista Aviation, and community sponsors, including Brooke and Blake Herman of Blackline Builders; Joan and Jim Lindsey; the Junior League of Santa Barbara; Central Coast Home Health Care.

Also, Sally and Matt Morehart; Riviera Law Group; Leanne Schlinger of the Schlinger Family Foundation; The Go Group; The Michael Huntsman Group at Morgan Stanley.

Hutton Parker Foundation; Nicholson and Schwartz; Northern Trust; Powers Family Fund; Whitney and Tyler Duncan; and Village Properties.

Guests enjoyed a first-look preview of the “Transcend” documentary, a cake auction, live auction, jewelry raffle, and packages donated by local businesses and supporters.

“As SAFE SBC continues to expand its impact, the organization remains committed to a collaborative, locally informed approach that brings together the expertise and resources necessary to prevent exploitation and provide survivors with meaningful pathways toward healing and independence,” the nonprofit said.

“The generosity demonstrated at this gala represents so much more than dollars raised,” Lindsey said. “It represents a community standing together, a commitment to those who need us most, and the belief that every child deserves safety, every survivor deserves hope, and every person deserves the freedom to flourish.”

The Strategic Alliance to Fight Exploitation Santa Barbara County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and exploitation through strategic funding, prevention education, community awareness, survivor support, and collaboration.

For more, visit Safesbc.org.