By: Kris Shuman

The community has been buzzing with chatter on the heels of the movie "The Sound of Freedom," an inspirational film about a federal agent who's rescued thousands of victims from traffickers in Columbia. While most viewers are left grappling with the belief that this is even happening, there is a convergence of local citizens, not in Columbia, but right here in our backyard that meet annually to save lives.

On Saturday, August 5, 2023, as the sun set and darkness rolled in, over five hundred successful business owners gathered in Coto De Caza for an event coined Hot August Nights. With impenetrable silence and tears in their eyes, the large group watched as a heartfelt video rolled on the large theatre screen, a thank you from the hundreds of girls whose lives they saved at "Vera's Sanctuary" over the past five years.

The annual event includes upscale tray passed food and live music from notable artists like Nelly, Sammy Hagar, and this year's Jason Derulo, but the real draw-- getting together to celebrate their impact in the world and hearing from the girls.

Stacy and Steve Jones were the underwriters covering the cost of the entire event, upwards of $600k, with a heartfelt commitment that all funds raised will go to provide for more local victims served at Vera's Sanctuary. It was Steve's wife, Stacy Jones, who initiated the partnership. With a heart for people in need, she launched Hot August Nights fifteen years ago with a superhero party that raised $1400 and 4 bicycles for children. Stacy discovered The Teen Project's Vera Sanctuary in 2018 when they purchased the local Boys Town site (a site the Jones family had supported) with plans to renovate for victims of trafficking.

When Stacy met Lauri Burns, founder of The Teen Project, she asked her if she could help on her mission to save victims of trafficking at the new Vera's Sanctuary site; neither of them had any idea what they were in store for. A few months after their first meeting, the Jones family lit a small flame of hope and invited their community of friends to join them for their annual event. Over the past five years, that tiny flame has turned into a fierce inferno, raising over 5.5 million and closing this weekend with a mind-boggling additional 1.9 million in donations.

Steve Jones, the CEO of Allied Universal, the largest security firm in the world, is on the front lines and knows all too well how prevalent trafficking is."As leaders of security and safety in our communities, we need to be on high alert regarding the impact human trafficking is causing on people and countries around the world," said Steve Jones, Global Chairman and CEO at Allied Universal. "Our local presence provides us with a unique vantage point to possibly save lives by knowing about this issue, the warning signs and taking action. Due to our partnership with the Teen Project, we are able to work together to make a difference."

District Attorney, Todd Spitzer, shared the stage at this year's event with a solid commitment to arrest the pimps while they rescued the girls. Lauri Burns was a foster child who attended Newport Harbor High School. When foster care ended at the age of eighteen, she became homeless and was trafficked. Since finding her way out of the darkness, Lauri has raised 46 foster kids in her home and is committed to saving as many as she can in her lifetime.

With funds raised, every young woman coming through Vera's Sanctuary receives medical treatment services, a clean room in an upscale home, a full-ride scholarship for higher education, automobile gifting, and support for their children. Most of the women saved at Vera's have a desire to become a certified counselor to give back. The Teen Project currently has over 100 staff members (counselors, psychologists, nurses). As of today, over 74% of Vera's staff members are prior residents who were provided scholarships to be counselors. Since opening its doors in 2018, Vera's Sanctuary has provided rehabilitation to over 700 women, many pregnant and in poor health. Fifty-one healthy babies have been born to the moms rescued thus far.

Vera's Sanctuary is only one of The Teen Project's eight large sites in Southern California. The charity launched in 2007 with a small house in Lake Forest and has since grown to be the largest in the state, and the only licensed drug treatment center in the country for this population. The organization has 126 beds throughout Southern California and is currently the only drug treatment provider in the state dedicated to trafficked foster youth. The charity recently purchased the historical Children of the Night building in Van Nuys and is under construction with plans to reopen for victims in 2024.

Lauri Burns closed her speech at the event with a clip from the Sound of Freedom movie. "When God tells you what to do, you cannot hesitate." Crying, she told the masses, "you have not hesitated; you are the Tim Ballards of America. I am proud of your commitment to God, our community, and our world; thank you."

Looking Ahead

The Charitable Foundation, supported by the sales associates at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties, is hosting its annual Fall Fundraiser & Fashion Show benefiting The Teen Project & Vera's Sanctuary. The event is being held November 16th from 5pm - 9pm at the Newport Beach Country Club. Tickets: tinyurl.com/TheTeenProjectFallBenefit

Lauri's screenplay, written over ten years ago, has sparked the interest of local movie financiers and has just been greenlit for finance and production. Following "The Sound of Freedom," this local story is a powerful journey of healing, forgiveness, and connecting with one's greater purpose. It is about an incredible transformation and a resilient survivor who defies all odds; it is sure to capture the hearts of everyone. Filming will begin in early 2024.

Learn more about The Teen Project and Vera's Sanctuary: www.theteenproject.com