Letterfromour Founder
As we approach 2025, I reflect on the incredible journey Rescue Hill has had in 2024. It’s been a year of challenges and profound impact one we couldn’t have navigated without your support and faith in our mission. We are deeply grateful for you.
Your generosity has allowed us to be there for survivors in their darkest moments. Every bed provided, every hand held, every resource shared has rippled hope through their path to healing.
In 2024, with your help, we expanded Starla House and strengthened partnerships with law enforcement to enhance outreach We celebrated the birth of our first “Starla Baby,” a little boy who joined his mother while stabilizing at Starla House We also introduced bees as a therapeutic modality, connecting clients with nature Each milestone represents not only progress but lives changed forever
Our work is strengthened by the partnerships with caring donors, volunteers, and advocates who make it possible. Thanks to you, Rescue Hill doesn’t just provide a safe place; we offer survivors resources and a community that enables true transformation.
Looking to 2025, we have ambitious goals. We aim to hire two new advocates, allowing us to support approximately 30 more survivors than in 2024. We’re also exploring exciting new opportunities, like introducing an RV to extend our reach.
As we close this year, we invite you to keep walking with us whether through giving, joining our Prayer Team, or sharing our mission. Thank you for being a beacon of hope. We’re excited for 2025 and grateful to stand with you in supporting survivors.
With Gratitude, Amanda Pettit
AboutUs
Founded in 2019 by Amanda and Steven Pettit, Res against human trafficking in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As a rising leader in the antitrafficking movement, we address critical gaps in services for survivors, bridging the space between rescue and recovery. Through close collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and as active members of the North Texas Trafficking Task Force, we stand at the forefront of innovative, survivor-driven care
Our story began long before 2019, rooted in a legacy of hope and transformation. In 1899, Rev. J.T. Upchurch and his wife Maggie Mae founded the Berachah Home in Arlington, Texas, creating a sanctuary for vulnerable young women. Today, just 3.4 miles away, Rescue Hill continues this mission with a modern approach to combating human trafficking.
Rescue Hill is more than a place it’s a movement, where history inspires progress and empowers survivors with hope, stability, and a path to thrive.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every survivor of human trafficking finds safety, healing, and the freedom to thrive. By pioneering survivor-driven models of care and fostering a community of collaboration, Rescue Hill seeks to transform the systems that perpetuate exploitation, creating a hope-filled future where dignity and justice prevail.
Our Mission
Rescue Hill exists to provide safe spaces and innovative options for survivors of human trafficking. Through compassionate advocacy, strategic partnerships, and survivor-centered care, we empower individuals to break free from exploitation and rebuild lives filled with hope and purpose
We do this in three ways:
Starla Stabilization Home Report
We are often asked about Starla House. People are curious about what sets it apart from other shelters in Texas and across the nation. We actually LOVE answering this question
Starla House is more than a shelter. It is a place where women who have survived the unimaginable can begin to believe in something better. In 2024, Rescue Hill deepened its commitment to ensuring that Starla House is not just a safe haven, but a place of stabilization, restoration, and support. Healing here is both intentional and personal, measured in small victories and meaningful connections
Last year, under the management of Rescue Hill, Starla House stepped into itself. Rescue Hill’s staff moved forward with greater confidence, shaped by experience and the lessons of 2023. They ensured that women in need always had a place to turn. For the first time, Starla became home to a mother in the late stages of her pregnancy, and then a brand new baby. This mother was able to rest in safety and bring her child into a world of hope and safety. Our team built a system for aftercare, extending the circle of support beyond the house itself. It was no longer just about the time within these walls, but about what came next.
“Thisallowedustokeepincontactwithourgirlsoncetheytransitionedoutof ourcareandcontinuetobethatsupportive,safecontactforthem,” says Maddie, Program Director at Rescue Hill.
YEAR END STATS:
18/2
682
Women and Babies served Safe Nights
3
53 Days Average Stay at Starla Women baptized
The team also created a roadmap for transition, allowing women the space to breathe before stepping into the unknown This thoughtful preparation led to longer stays, deeper healing, and stronger foundations.
One of the most significant additions to Starla House this year has been Fun Fridays.
Life after trauma can feel like an endless cycle of survival, but we believe joy is essential to healing Every Friday, clients take a break from their routines to experience something new. In 2024 they visited the Asian Market, explored arcade games, and enjoyed snow cones under the Texas sun. These moments remind them that laughter is allowed and they deserve so more than just survival
50% Women from foster care
Average Age 73% transitioned safely into long term placement WHO WE SERVED
We also believe that healing isn’t just about joy. Rescue Hill’s intake practices evolved, shifting away from welcome baskets. This was an unexpected revelation. The staff learned that for some women, gifts are overwhelming and can carry memories of manipulation Now, Rescue Hill client needs are met with quiet reassurance, and trust is built through presence rather than presents.
In 2024, therapy became a cornerstone. For the first time in Starla House, group therapy transformed into a place where stories that once felt unspeakable found a safe place to land. Healing is not meant to be pursued alone, and at Rescue Hill, women are learning to support each other
“It’s incredible to see how much they open up when they realize they are not alone in their experiences,” shares Tiffany, Rescue Hill’s Director of Initiatives.
Beyond the doors of Starla House, the community stepped in. Partnerships grew. Baylor Clinic, a local dentist, and other providers were willing to offer up safe, reliable care. And something new took root: a boutique, where women could choose something for themselves. (More on this to come!) The power of choice, of picking something personal, has been deeply impactful.
One unexpected joy of the year? A sewing class. It was introduced with cautious optimism, but every client who participated loved it. Sewing became more than just a skill. It became a space for connection and creativity.
“It has been the sweetest thing to watch them look forward to sewing,” says Maddie.
And then there are the stories that remind us why this work matters. One baby avoided the foster care system because Starla House existed.
A district attorney recognized the name Rescue Hill and chose to release a woman into our care instead of sending her to jail. These moments shift lives and open doors to new possibilities.
Starla House is evolving, just like the amazing women who pass through its doors. If you listen closely, you’ll hear it. The steady rhythm of hope, of second chances, of futures being rewritten This is what your support makes possible. This is why Rescue Hill exists. This is what healing looks like.
MeetAlisha Client Story
When Alisha arrived at Starla House, she carried the weight of her past and the fragile hope that her future could be different She didn’t come looking for recovery. She came searching for a way forward, not just for herself but also for her children. Thanks to your generosity, she found a place where that wisp of hope took root and began to grow
Alisha’s story is not an easy one to tell. It’s filled with pain, loss, and a battle for sobriety. It’s also a story of breathtaking strength and resilience. At Rescue Hill, Alisha stepped into a space where her struggles were met with compassion and her potential was met with relentless belief. Our team didn’t just see her as a survivor, we saw her as a woman with dreams and a fierce determination to create a life filled with love and purpose. It wasn’t long before Alisha began to chart her own course toward healing.
At Starla House, Alisha found more than safety; she found a sanctuary. She found time and space to breathe and decide what to do next. With a personalized care plan designed just for her, she began to heal. She rediscovered her faith, attended Celebrate Recovery, and wrote in a daily gratitude journal. She took pottery and piano lessons, learning to create beauty with her hands and music with her heart. Each day brought new challenges and small victories, and step by step, she built a foundation for a brighter future.
Her father, Gary, shared these words about her transformation: "Rescue Hill didn’t just change Alisha’s life; they changed the trajectory of our entire family. Alisha’s children have a new future because Rescue Hill exists. We are forever grateful."
Inspired by her father, a beekeeper, Alisha embraced her love for bees, which led to the creation of beehives at Starla House. This beautiful symbol of growth and renewal is now tucked away on the property, a reminder of Alisha’s incredible journey
Amanda, Rescue Hill’s founder, captured Alisha’s journey beautifully:
"For the first time since she was a teenager, Alisha feels like she has a future. Her dream of helping others fuels her determination to healandgrow."
Today, Alisha has completed a long-term program and is dreaming of starting her own nonprofit to support others who face similar challenges. Her story reminds us that even in the darkest moments, no matter how great the darkness, hope can take root and flourish.
As we celebrate Alisha’s success, we are reminded that none of this would be possible without you Your support provides the sanctuary, the tools, and the encouragement that women like Alisha need to rebuild their lives.
StaffHighlight Amy Corcoran
Amy Corcoran doesn’t wear a cape. In advocacy, there is no super suit, no Instagrammable clip, no dramatic moment of rescue. Advocacy is quiet. It’s a steady presence behind the scenes, it’s a voice on the other end of the phone, a person who listens and acts when the rest of the world doesn’t know what to do with you.
As Rescue Hill’s first dedicated advocate, Amy walks alongside survivors, ensuring they are not alone as they navigate the long, complicated road from crisis to recovery She is there from the very first moment, when exhaustion and fear sit heavy on their shoulders, when their body is fighting against their fresh choice of trust and rest. She is there when they take their first shaky steps toward independence, when they decide to start therapy, when they stand in a courtroom facing a judge who now sees them as more than just a case file. She is there not to save, but to stand beside them, reminding them they are capable of saving themselves.
Amy's journey into advocacy wasn’t accidental, it was built through experience. As one of our Residential Care Providers (RCP), she learned what it meant to sit in the tension between survival and stability. She learned how to listen, not just to words, but to silence. She learned how to de-escalate crises, how to offer reassurance without overpromising, and how to be a source of stability when everything else felt like shifting ground. These lessons became the foundation of her advocacy work, shaping her ability to guide clients
"Advocacy is a bridge," Amy explains. "It’s what connects crisis intervention to long-term recovery. It ensures that survivors don’t have to navigate these overwhelming systems alone. It empowers them to make their own choices, to take back control of their lives."
At Starla House, under the management of Rescue Hill, this shift to advocacy has changed everything. It’s no longer just about stabilization. Stabilization is certainly the foundation, but we are fully invested in going after long-term healing. Clients now know that when they step beyond the doors of Starla House, they are not stepping into the unknown alone. Our choice to hire a full-time advocate means that Amy is still there, a familiar face in an unfamiliar world, helping our clients find jobs, secure housing, access healthcare, and reconnect with family.
Of course, not all of Amy’s clients come through Starla House. Some are referred by law enforcement, by other like-minded agencies, and even by whispers of hope passed from survivor to survivor Some show up on their own after an internet search or a random referral, terrified and exhausted, but willing to take a chance. However they arrive, Amy meets them where they are
"The hardest part is the barriers," she admits. "The lack of safe housing. The legal battles. The setbacks. Some days, it feels like trying to hold back the ocean with my hands. But then, there are the victories - the first apartment, the job offer, the moment a client starts believing she is worthy of more. Those are the moments that keep megoing."
Here at Rescue Hill, advocacy isn’t just about helping survivors escape their past. It’s about helping them build a future - a future where they are not defined by what happened to them but by what they choose to become And Amy? She’s committed to being there, walking beside them, every step of the way, no matter how big the ocean.
Law Enforcement Initiatives
Since its inception, Rescue Hill has recognized the critical importance of partnering with law enforcement to provide comprehensive, 360-degree care for victims. This collaboration goes beyond recovery it helps prevent women from becoming victims in the first place. While we rely on law enforcement to recover victims, they too depend on us to continue the care and support once the initial intervention is made. Together, we form an unbreakable chain of hope.
PARTNERSHIPS:
8
Local and Federal government Organizations
10 Victims Recovered during Operation
8 Confirmed victims of human trafficking
4 Victims Recovered post Operation
4 Non-Government Advocacy Groups 15 Cell phones seized
7 Trafficking Suspects Identified 4 Traffickers arrested
In January 2024, Rescue Hill took the lead as the Adult Advocacy Organization in a Victim Recovery Operation, working closely with local law enforcement. The focus was on identifying and recovering commercial sex workers, many of whom showed signs of being trafficked through their online presence These operations typically span two nights and include multiple local and federal law enforcement groups and advocacy partners including services for both children and adults The law enforcement partners first detain the identified victims, and then bring them back to the command center for questioning and support.
During this phase, law enforcement relies on trauma-informed techniques, developed in collaboration with Rescue Hill, to help identify if the individual is being trafficked. If there are concerns, they may request a voluntary phone search.
Once the investigation moves forward, that's where Rescue Hill steps in. A detective introduces our advocate to the victim, and we begin the delicate work of building trust Our goal during this first encounter is simple: obtain contact information, reassure them that we are not affiliated with law enforcement, and offer support We make it clear that no matter their situation, we are here to help them take steps toward a better life if they are willing.
While the introduction is just the beginning, the real work starts in the days, weeks, and months that follow. It’s a journey that can feel heartbreaking, especially when victims return to their former lives or disappear without a trace. Yet, like any parent who loves a child unconditionally, we keep loving them, no matter the decisions they make. We bear the weight of this responsibility alongside our law enforcement partners, allowing them to focus on their mission catching the criminals who perpetuate these crimes. In turn, they know the women they work so hard to protect are receiving care and support from a dedicated, loving team.
3
FederalConvictionsinSouthTexas:
Defendant 1 - 5 Life Sentences
Defendant 2 - Pending Sentence
Defendant 3 - 60 Months
FederalConvictioninNorthTexas
Defendant 1 - 360 Months
Everyone in this fight shares the pain of what we witness each day, but we also share the hope for a better future for these women. We stand united in our battle against human trafficking, leaning on one another for strength and support Our law enforcement initiatives are more than just a task we complete they are our lifeline. Because without our partnership, the chains of trafficking will never fully break, and true justice will remain out of reach until the return of Jesus Christ.
2025 Preview
2025 is shaping up to be an incredible year for us at Rescue Hill Over the past four years, we've witnessed God's hand at work, and we're excited for the even bigger plans He has in store. Some of these plans include expanding our team with 2-3 dedicated advocates, launching a mobile RV to provide client services on the Blade in Dallas, and beginning discussions about establishing an Anti Trafficking Center in the fight against human trafficking in DFW.
To help turn these ambitious goals into reality, we've welcomed Hannah Walker as our new Director of Development and Finance. Since January, she’s been instrumental in supporting our fundraising efforts, managing grants, and refining our marketing strategies.
While the future is full of uncertainty, our commitment to supporting and advocating for victims of human trafficking remains unwavering As we grow, we’re focused not only on expanding our reach and resources but also on deepening the impact we have in the lives of those affected by trafficking Every step we take is with the intention of providing hope, healing, and a brighter future for those who need it most.
