< Return to Blog

Advocacy & Enhancing Lives at The Secret Place

PenAir employees selected The Secret Place as a 2022 Jeans for Communerosity® (J4C) charity.

The Secret Place Home, a repeat recipient for J4C, is an Advocacy Center and CSEC Service Provider who provides a safe space for young ladies (ages 13-24 years of age). They are where healing will take place, dignity is restored, and necessary trauma informed services are provided.

“We are just so grateful for the generosity of PenAir and their employees,” says Christian Lipscomb, President and Founder of The Secret Place Home. “We couldn’t do what we’re doing to serve the victims and survivors of human trafficking in our area without you.”

Florida ranks as the third highest trafficking destination in the country making organizations like The Secret Place imperative to our community. They provide complete services like Trauma Informed Care Therapy (music, art and equine sessions for groups and individuals); Life Skill Development (independent living, career development, GED, Drivers Ed, and more); Family Wraparound Support Services; Survivor Mentorship; Awareness & Advocacy; CSEC & Human Trafficking Training (medical, education, legal, faith-based organizations and other agency providers).

PenAir’s J4C program is an employee-driven fundraising effort, born from the dedication and passion for enhancing the lives of those in the communities where we live, work and serve. Each year, employees nominate and vote for like-minded local nonprofit organizations to champion over the course of a year. Selected charities receive a gift of $4,000, along with a commitment from the credit union’s 332 employees to serve the organization through volunteer opportunities supporting their missions. Funds are raised through payroll deductions, J4C days, and J4C t-shirt sales, then matched by PenAir.

Beyond the check, the J4C program was created as a way for the company to collectively serve our communities, which includes the gift of time. In that spirit, each PenAir employee receives 5 hours of paid time per month to volunteer during working hours with the organization of their choice.

Learn how you can assist The Secret Place by visiting thesecretplacehome.org.

If you have an immediate need and feel someone is in danger or is please call 911. Don’t hesitate. Report it. It could save a life.

Florida Abuse Hotline (report abuse for children)

  • TEL: 1-800-962-2873
  • TTY: 1-800-4955-8771

The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts reports 24 hours a day and 7 days a week of known or suspected child abuse, neglect, or abandonment and reports of known or suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Please use the links below to report a child or adult abuse.

National Human Trafficking Resource Center 24/7 (for adults)

  • 1 (888) 373-7888

BeFree Textline 24/7

  • Text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE)

Send a text for crisis support, referrals, and more – to get help for victims and survivors of human trafficking or to connect with local services.

Get Involved

Take part in the community or find out more about PenAir’s Communerosity.

Communerosity® Articles
Learn More About Our Impact
Community Sponsorship Requests
Apply Today
SVG linear gradient