Common Questions

Children under 18 cannot volunteer on campus due to safety and confidentiality policies. Families can help by fundraising, hosting supplies drives, or making meals together to donate.

Mentorship and volunteer roles exceeding 10 hours per month require additional screening.

Mentors work one-on-one with a child, teen, or young adult twice a month for at least one year, providing support, advice, encouragement, and care.

Yes. Place of Hope is a fully licensed child welfare organization in the State of Florida.

No. While our model is faith-based, we welcome and serve children and families of all faiths or no faith. The same applies to supporters, volunteers, and donors.

Each case is different. Children remain with us until they are reunified with family, adopted, or transition to independent living.

Yes. We offer volunteer opportunities ranging from mentorship and tutoring to campus projects. All roles involving children require training and background checks.

Human trafficking is the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for labor or sex. While often misunderstood as something that only happens far away, it is a very real and growing issue in South Florida—particularly among youth who are vulnerable due to unstable housing, abuse, or lack of support.

We provide targeted, trauma-informed therapy, safe housing, life-skills development, and tailored case management. Survivors are placed in secure, supportive environments and receive education and opportunities for healthy, independent living.

Prevention is core to our mission. We host anti-trafficking educational workshops, social events, and outreach programs—including our original documentary Invisible. We also partner with schools, churches, businesses, and law enforcement to raise awareness and equip communities to recognize the signs of grooming and exploitation.

Anyone. We tailor our workshops to the audience—businesses, youth groups, schools, churches, or parent communities. If you are interested in bringing a workshop to your organization, contact us at [email protected].

Yes. You can report anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-TIPS or the Florida Human Trafficking Hotline at 800-FLA-SAFE. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

You can support our work by donating, volunteering, attending or hosting a workshop, joining the POH Freedom Society, or sharing our resources—especially our film Invisible. Reach out to us to learn more about partnership opportunities.

Yes. We serve both minors through our neighborhood-style foster care and residential programs, and adults—particularly young women and mothers—through transitional housing and Independent Living programs.

• Was recruited through false promises
• Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid
• Is not in control of his/her own money or identification documents
• Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves
• No knowledge of current or past whereabouts
• Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
• Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts
• Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes
• Story changes or seems scripted and avoids eye contact

IN A HOTEL SETTING

• No knowledge of current or past whereabouts
• No freedom of movement, constantly monitored
• Signs of poor hygiene, malnourishment, or fatigue
• Frequently requests new linens, towels, and restocking of fridge
• Exhibits fearful, anxious, or submissive behavior
• Pays for room in cash or with pre-paid card
• Extended stay with few possessions
• Requests room overlooking parking lot
• Excessive foot traffic in/out of hotel room

IN A MEDICAL SETTING

• Shares scripted or inconsistent history
• Unwilling or hesitant to answer questions about injury or illness
• Evidence of controlling or dominating relationships
• Avoids eye contact
• Is unable to provide his/her address
• Is not aware of his/her location, the current date, or time
• Patient is under 18 and involved in the commercial sex industry
• Has tattoos or other forms of branding
• Reports an unusually high number of sexual partners

IN A REHAB SETTING

• Makes a lot of promises that aren’t always kept
• Supplies drugs, alcohol and other items for free
• Introduces pornography
• Restricts or monitors movement frequently
• Threatens any attempt to leave
• Forces work, sexual acts, or the selling of drugs to pay off debt
• Threatens to withhold drugs as punishment
• Limits interactions with others

Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where someone threatens to share sexual images, videos, or personal information unless you send more images, pay money, or do what they demand.

Warning signs of sextortion include:

• Someone you met online quickly asking for explicit photos or videos.
• Receiving threats to share intimate images you sent if you do not comply with further requests.
• Requests to pay money to prevent photos from being posted publicly or sent to family and friends.
• The person refuses to meet in real life or share personal details about themselves.
• Feeling pressured, fearful, or trapped after sharing images online.

What should you do if you or your child is a victim of sextortion?

• Do not pay or comply. This rarely stops the threats.
• Save all communications, images, usernames, and threats as evidence.
• Block the individual on all platforms.
• Report immediately to local law enforcement and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org.
• Seek support from a trusted adult, school counselor, or therapist to navigate the emotional impact.

Online grooming is when someone builds a relationship with a child or teen online to gain their trust and manipulate them into sexual exploitation, trafficking, or abuse.

Signs your child may be experiencing online grooming:

• Becoming secretive about online activities, devices, or new contacts.
• Spending increased time online, especially at night.
• Receiving gifts, money, or items from someone you do not know.
• Sudden changes in mood, behavior, or mental health.
• Talking about a new older “friend” or “boyfriend/girlfriend” they refuse to introduce.
• Using sexual language or knowledge beyond their age group.
• Attempts to meet someone they met online in person.

How can you protect your child?

• Maintain open, calm conversations about their online activities without judgment.
• Monitor and set healthy limits on apps and communication platforms.
• Educate them on online safety, grooming tactics, and never sharing personal images.
• Encourage them to tell you if someone makes them uncomfortable online.
• Report suspicious contact to law enforcement or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org.

We serve children and youth of all ages, with programs tailored to meet their developmental needs.

All activities are designed to be inclusive and supportive, regardless of experience or skill level.

Yes. All fitness, wellness, and life skills programs are led by trained staff and supported by caring cottage parents who ensure safety and encouragement every step of the way.

Safety is our top priority. All outings are supervised by trained staff, follow strict safety protocols, and are designed with each child’s well-being in mind.

Summer Initiatives are designed to build confidence, resilience, and social skills, helping children and youth develop lifelong healthy habits and positive memories that last a lifetime.