(ROCKWALL, TX — June 1, 2018) Texas-based Alliance Auto Auction has been teaming up with a local Rockwall ministry to help make a difference in the lives of those who have fallen victim to human trafficking.
For every car Alliance Auto Auction-Dallas sells during its auctions this year, the company will give back a portion of the proceeds to the Poiema Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which works to prevent sexual abuse, sex trafficking and other methods of sexual exploitation by providing a haven and trauma-informed care for those who have been trafficked and are on their journey from victim to survivor.
Founded in 2011, Alliance Auto Auction consists of a fast-growing family of auto auctions which provide vehicle remarketing services to wholesale dealers. The company’s mission is to establish personal and trusted relationships with all customers by providing quality inventory, a competitive market and superior service. It holds auctions every Friday at its four locations in Abilene, Dallas, Longview and Waco.
Christopher Dean, auction manager at Alliance Auto Auction’s Dallas office, said he and Alliance Auto Auction CEO Tim Adams set out to find a local organization to support in 2018, one that had an impact on abused and exploited children. After attending a benefit dinner put on by the Poiema Foundation at The Castle in Rockwall, they set out on a goal to raise $50,000 this year for the nonprofit.
“We decided we wanted to be a part of this tremendous foundation,” Dean said. “We are hoping that we can have an impact to help these girls out of this horrific world of human trafficking.”
Dean said when they decided to partner with the Poiema Foundation, they made an initial donation of $5,000, which was a 10 percent pledge of their goal. They plan to make donations at the end of each quarter. Along with donating a portion of all car sales at its four locations, Dean said Alliance Auto Auctions is also asking its dealers to make cash contributions as well to help fulfill their goal.
“We just wrapped up the first quarter financials and cut the next check for the Poiema Foundation totaling an additional $9,544. That will bring the first quarter year to date total to $14,544,” Dean said.
Poiema Foundation founder Rebecca Jowers said the partnership with Alliance auto Auction has been a real blessing for the foundation in helping to provide additional staffing for its safe house, which provides a place for victims and survivors to come and heal while getting their lives back on track. The safe house was donated to the foundation in 2015 and opened in 2017.
For many years, Jowers has helped rescue and rehabilitate many women and children who were victims of human trafficking. In 2013 she expanded her passion to create a world where sexually abuse and exploited people receive safe, long-term housing and care by founding the Poiema Foundation, where she currently serves as the executive director. Through presentations, seminars and workshops on human trafficking, the Poiema Foundation has been helping the public to gain a better understanding of the challenges of human trafficking and the impact it has on communities.
“It’s amazing that we can step in and help these girls who have experienced a high level of trauma,” Jowers said. “It takes all of us together to help these victims overcome their trauma, and it’s great to be able to make a difference.”
For more information about the Poiema Foundation, visit poiemafoundation.org.
By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Photo courtesy of the Poiema Foundation.
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