Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Lamb.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always had a heart for outreach and local missions. When I was younger, my passion for creativity won state awards for the arts, female vocal artist, and writing recognition. I grew up in a well rounded loving home. Due to outside circumstances, at the age of 15, things took a downward turn. After battling my own struggles of being sexually abused, battling self-harm, being exploited ad a teen and addiction down the road, I was able to rise from the ashes.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The public is becoming more aware of the growing issue of sex trafficking in our city- which is great. Although the issue isn’t a new one, it’s becoming openly discussed and people are becoming passionate about seeing it end. The part people are turning a blind eye to is the physical scars and markings left on survivors. That’s where we’ve come in. The struggle is getting our community to see why this is such a vital important part of recovery. We can rescue, safe house, and counsel survivors (which is ALL needed and great) but if they are left with a daily physical reminder on their bodies, it’s another part that keeps them hindered in so many ways. When we share with people that we cover painful physical reminders of the past or remove the tattoos, they sometimes look at us cross-eyed. But this is such a critical part of survivors journeys. It was for me as well. We need our community to come alongside us to volunteer, donate and join the team to bring this much-needed level of healing.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Atlanta Redemption Ink (ARI) – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Atlanta Redemption Ink (ARI) is a non-profit (for impact) organization that began in 2017. Atlanta Redemption Ink began its mission to help survivors of sex trafficking, former gang members, former self-harmers, and those in addiction recovery find hope, recovery, and transformation by changing physical reminders of the past into symbols of victory.
We offer scholarships to survivors to cover or remove gang tattoos, self-harm scars, track marks and tattoos on Survivors of sex trafficking who have been marked by their traffickers.
Another part of our organization is we provide trauma-informed counseling and alternative diploma program through community partnerships.
Through community partnerships, we were able to establish the first Safe Place sites for at-risk youth in Georgia in tattoo shops and tattoo removal specialist offices.
We are the first organization in the state of Georgia to offer this service to survivors and we’ve established amazing working relationships with the tattoo community and removal specialist. We believe in impact, relationships and in each individual that we serve. I believe because we are a survivor-led organization we bring something to the community not seen here locally.
We believe having characteristics of being intentional, genuine, passionate and relational is critical when working with people who’ve gone through trauma in our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.atlantaredemptionink.com
- Phone: 6789269946
- Email: atlantaredemptionink@gmail.com
- Instagram: Atlanta Redemption Ink
- Facebook: Facebook.com/atlantaredemptionink
- Twitter: Twitter.com/redemption_ink
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