Our Beginning

Lisa was exposed firsthand to the horror of human trafficking when she and her husband travelled to the Philippines to adopt their daughter.  During this trip, she learned that children in orphanages and on the streets as young as the toddler she was bringing home can wind up being trafficked.  Lisa returned to Wisconsin a forever changed person.  Over the next years, she poured over the internet looking for a way to travel to places where trafficking was happening.  She wanted to learn, to get involved and to make a difference.

Beginning in 2009, trips to Cambodia and Nicaragua allowed Lisa to work with advocates that specialized in international rescues.  She witnessed heartbreaking situations, but was also part of a movement that brought hope to people being victimized.

Through Lisa's training, travel, and hands-on work, her knowledge about trafficking led her to understand that this is really happening everywhere.  What started in her mind as an "international issue" could no longer be looked at in this way.  Lisa aligned with an organization in Las Vegas and traveled there several times to assist with outreaches.  She pursued education and training, and then brought everything she learned over the years back to Wisconsin.  Today, Damascus Road Project has grown to have a couple of part-time paid staff members, a few dedicated full-time volunteers and 25+ trained part-time volunteers.  As a team, we serve those victimized in our local communities.