Staff Interview: Elisabeth Swenson

Elisabeth Swenson came to us one year ago to complete her clinical internship toward graduation and licensing as a therapist. She brought with her over a decade of experience with sex trafficking survivors so has fit right in with our team whom she describes as “such dedicated women with a passion for this cause .”

Elisabeth moved to San Diego just to intern for GenerateHope. She says she knew immediately, “GenerateHope is where I want to be, in a holistic program with a great team approach. This is my dream placement!” She has been such an inspiration here with her drive and creativity meeting the resident’s individual and group needs. Her dedication to GenerateHope, she explains, is fueled by Jesus being at the core of this work, along with the love she has for the residents and the staff here.

Elisabeth says she has witnessed the women come in “defeated by the world, able to lay their heavy trauma down to pick up hope, joy, self-worth, and connections through an unburdening process. They enter the program with no idea that there are safe people in the world and then they begin to re-envision themselves. It’s like holding a mirror up so they can see themselves as I see them.”

As Elisabeth wraps up her 1-year placement at GenerateHope she would like supporters to know that the work we do here is not just one on one. “Each woman goes on to change the world! This multiplies the work of a dedicated team with roots in faith to keep going when it gets tough!”

We will be sad to see Elisabeth move on in her journey, but we know that she will also go on to change the world! She is moving back to South Dakota for her licensure and then back to Indonesia to continue her work with survivors of sex trafficking, providing retreats and care to those doing the work there. Travel safe, Elisabeth!

Staff Interview: Taylor Johnson

Taylor Johnson believes strongly in GenerateHope so she frequently shares with others about the work we do with survivors of sex trafficking. She has often seen a “pearl clutching” response & desperately wants people to know there’s so much more than tragic stories, the brain adapts with the healing process. We celebrate small wins, milestones, calls with family, relationship building, big wins too. It’s such a privilege, a gift to be invited into someone’s life!”

After graduating college with her bachelor’s degree in social work Taylor wasn’t quite sure what she would do but responded to an ad about an opening for a resident guide at Generatehope. She shares that the conversation she had on that first phone call learning about who GH is & the life transformative work we do convinced her that GH was the place for her. Her heart was in it then & it remains there now. After 1 ½ years as a resident guide she moved on to become our recovery case manager & has recently hit her 5-year mark with GH which she says, “feels surreal” laughing about time being different at GH & how it flies by!

When asked what she would want our readers to know, Taylor’s response was that she would like to send appreciation to all the people who may not be staff but are still very much a part of our team. “We couldn’t do this without them. Resident’s lives are enriched by volunteers & community support, tattoo coverup, scar removal, psychiatry, mentorship… They fill in the gaps & provide emotional support.” Taylor ended by quoting from Just Mercy, “Love is the motive, but justice is the instrument.”