Photos by Toni Rowan
The Lifeboat Project founder and CEO Jill Bolander Cohen held a benefit Thursday, March 17 at the Amway Center in Orlando. Among the speakers was a local survivor (not pictured for security) who shared what life was like looking for a daughter who was trapped in the human trafficking world. Her story of six years of constant anxiety, worry, fear, and the pain of knowing and not knowing what was happening to her child, along with the enormous sense of helplessness and loss of hope night after night, left the room riveted with emotion and the understanding that no one person should ever have to endure this inhumane kind of suffering. She and her daughter, unlike so many others, are now safe and can begin the life-long journey of healing. She credited The Lifeboat Project for providing them with a safe haven, recovery services, and a newfound sense of hope.
The Lifeboat Project’s mission for over 11 years has been to provide recovery services to survivors and to continue to bring awareness and education on human trafficking to the communities in Central Florida.
Other speakers at the event were Ed Gilbert, Chairman of the board; Allison Walker, Channel 13; Lee Constantine, Seminole County Commissioner; and Captain Ivan Molina with Detective Sean Doherty of the Osceola County Sheriff’s department.
To learn more about The Lifeboat Project, their mission, and how you can help this organization continue its work; visit www.thelifeboatproject.org.
