The Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking will welcome Ashley Lowe, survivor and advocate, to speak on her experiences and her work around providing support to girl survivors of exploitation and trafficking during the scheduled June meeting.

Lowe works as an advocate for the nonprofit organization Karana Rising.

Karana Rising is a 501©3 nonprofit led by a community of young survivors who are harnessing the pain and exploitation of their past, wielding it as their power to create stronger and better futures for themselves and fellow survivors around the globe.

Karana Rising supports survivors for life, not just a season, customizing a path to wellness that involves body, mind, soul, and community.

“I love advocating for girls who were like me,” Lowe said.

“When growing up, I felt like there weren’t enough resources for girls that were like myself and experienced some of the things that I encountered into my adolescent years. I love what I do and I love telling my story because our voices need to be heard. I live by the motto reach one teach one. I want to teach and educate young women and girls that they are not alone and there are people that have in their shoes and understand where they come from.”

Pam Strickland, PCCAHT facilitator and founder of NC Stop Human Trafficking said the voices and the stories of survivors are imperative when developing localized services and resources.

“As a community, we need to understand what survivors need, and not impose as service providers what we think they need,” Strickland said.

“We are excited to hear Ms. Lowe offer up sound advice and wisdom that she possesses through her lived experience and advocacy work.”

The Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking meets on the third Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. via zoom and in person at the new Farmville Public Library, 4276 W Church St, Farmville.

For more information about the meetings or to attend this meeting via zoom, click here