Housing Advocates Wear Many Hats
Lives We Touch: Caseworker Ella Washington, Breaking Free*
Housing Advocate Ella Washington “wears many hats” at Breaking Free, an organization with a mission to end all forms of sex trafficking and prostitution. Breaking Free empowers survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution by providing housing services, case management, advocacy, referrals, and other resources. Working at Breaking Free for nearly four years, Ella welcomes clients from Ramsey County’s coordinated entry system into one of Breaking Free’s two 17-unit apartment buildings that comprise the agency’s permanent supportive housing program.
During Breaking Free’s three year partnership with Bridging, Ella has referred more than 20 clients to Bridging to furnish their homes:
“Bridging helps clients put their apartments together,” she says. They don’t have to worry about furniture or beds. A lot of the women come from homelessness, shelter, or sometimes prison, with only the clothes on their back. When someone comes into something from nothing —fleeing sex trafficking, chemical dependency, or abuse, they don’t have what they need to set up their apartments.”
Ella is available to help families complete their paperwork, get to their Bridging appointments, and even help them set up their furniture in their new space.
The household set-up from Bridging provides parents and their children necessities for daily living and a life-changing emotional lift.
“When clients finish shopping, they are emotional. They have a sense of relief,” says Ella. Their attitudes change from defensive to being less stressed. They are happier and more patient with their children.” I’ll hear someone say, ’I never thought in a million years I would be where I am at, with this much support.’”
Bridging’s mission and model align with Breaking Free’s philosophy of empowerment, and Ella shares this strength-based approach with clients every day.
“’We’re just stepping stones. I’ll say to clients, ‘You put in all the work to get where you are. You did this. You asked the right questions, took the steps, and got yourself out of the situation where you are now.’ One of my goals is help women change their thought processes about themselves.”
Bridging has made a positive impact in Ella’s work as a Breaking Free housing advocate and in her personal life. She continues to support Bridging’s mission in the community.
“I think that Bridging is special as a whole, working with all races, creeds, and colors. I used Bridging at one point in my life to help myself. I knew their whole service model, and I wanted to use their service model here at Breaking Free. I called to get our agency set up with Bridging. It all fits. Bridging is a blessing that a lot of people need.”
We thank Ella for sharing her Lives We Touch story. We are grateful for our partnership with Breaking Free!
*Congratulations to Ella on her new position at Emma Norton YMCA in July. She will continue to refer clients to Bridging in this new role.