Redeem and Restore

This episode of Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community addresses one of Wisconsin's most pervasive yet often hidden challenges: human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Host Jill Economou welcomes Krista Hull, Founder and Executive Director of Redeem and Restore, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women heal from trauma, reclaim their identities, and build lives of dignity, purpose, and hope.Krista shares her deeply personal story of overcoming childhood abuse, abandonment, rejection, and trauma. Those experiences ultimately led her to create Redeem and Restore, an organization that walks alongside women who have experienced exploitation, trafficking, addiction, and profound emotional wounds. Through safe housing, mentorship, community support, life-skills training, and trauma-informed care, the organization helps women move from surviving to thriving.The conversation explores the realities of trafficking in Wisconsin, challenging misconceptions that these issues only occur in large cities or faraway places. Krista explains how trafficking impacts communities of every size and socioeconomic background, often hiding in plain sight. She discusses the importance of awareness, compassion, and recognizing that many individuals struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or destructive behaviors may be carrying the weight of unresolved trauma.Listeners will learn how Redeem and Restore's residential program and outreach efforts are creating pathways toward healing and restoration. Krista also shares how volunteers, donors, educators, businesses, and community members can become part of the solution through advocacy, education, service, and simple acts of kindness.Episode Highlights:0:46 | Understanding the scope of human trafficking throughout Wisconsin
1:34 | Krista's personal story of trauma, abuse, and finding purpose through service
4:34 | Why Krista chose to focus on helping women impacted by exploitation and trafficking
5:19 | The mission of Redeem and Restore and its relationship-centered approach
6:22 | Why trafficking remains hidden despite its prevalence in communities statewide
7:28 | How family relationships are often connected to trafficking and exploitation
8:57 | Why awareness matters and how trafficking can affect families and neighbors
10:17 | Recognizing that exploitation can happen closer to home than many realize
11:52 | How celebrity trafficking cases help bring broader awareness to the issue
14:15 | Inside Redeem and Restore's residential healing program for women survivors
15:57 | The lasting effects of childhood abuse and trauma on adult survivors
18:20 | The importance of compassion, understanding, and authentic human connection
19:55 | Working with schools and educating youth about exploitation and online dangers
21:11 | A survivor success story and the power of long-term healing support
22:33 | How paying attention, asking questions, and showing kindness can make a difference
24:09 | Volunteer opportunities and ways community members can share their skills
26:06 | The role financial support plays in sustaining recovery programs
27:02 | Community education, speaking engagements, and awareness initiatives
28:23 | Stories of resilience, hope, and transformation among program participants
29:26 | How to volunteer, donate, and support Redeem and Restore's missionREDEEM AND RESTORERedeem and Restore is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women impacted by exploitation, trafficking, abuse, and trauma. Through residential recovery services, outreach programs, mentorship, life-skills training, and community support, the organization helps participants heal, rebuild confidence, and discover lasting hope. By partnering with volunteers, donors, churches, schools, and community organizations, Redeem and Restore works to raise awareness, prevent exploitation, and create pathways toward restoration and healing.Website: https://redeemandrestore.org