By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
On May 16, from 6-8 p.m., Fortify Alabama will be hosting their first fundraising gala with the intriguing name of “Everglowing.” The Urban Dictionary defines “everglowing” as something that continues to glow or shine without interruption, often in a metaphorical sense. It can represent a lasting or persistent feeling, light, or emotion. For example, it might be used to describe a feeling of hope or happiness that persists even after a difficult time. I can think of no better way to describe what happens to those who have been trafficked and then, by grace, are offered a way out. This is what Fortify Alabama is all about, and this is what they are hoping you will experience as you join them in accomplishing their goal: To illuminate the darkness of human trafficking in Alabama by raising awareness, providing education, and offering support to those who feel trapped. Guided by faith, we strive to reach the most vulnerable populations in underserved areas, ensuring that every individual knows they are valued and have a path to freedom. Fortify Alabama is a 501(c)3 organization that started in August of 2024. Besides sending up a whole lot of prayer, they carefully make contact primarily in Huntsville with women and men who are caught in the sex trade. However, Fortify Alabama is also dedicated to help and restore those who were lured to our country “to live the American Dream,” are told this is a way to support their family, or find themselves in slavery situations that do not require undesired sexual activity. Because it often takes between 5 and 7 compassionate contacts before a trafficked individual chooses to leave, there are a number of practical needs that must be met in order to make a clean break with a $150B global industry. Fortify Alabama accomplishes this critical set of outreach components by: Focusing particularly on populations that are often overlooked. We conduct direct outreach to women in high-risk environments, such as motels, and through online ads. This outreach is compassionate and nonjudgmental, designed to meet victims where they are and offer them a way out. Fortify Alabama provides essential resources, such as hygiene products, clothing, and food, while also fostering trust through prayer and emotional support. This hands-on approach is key to the organization’s success in connecting with individuals who may otherwise remain hidden.
As I interviewed Nicole Wilson, the founder of Fortify Alabama and the organizer of Everglowing, I learned that one of the things that often prevents those being trafficked from leaving is the fear of leaving their pet(s) in the hands of their traffickers. Having a pet in these situations is a double-edged sword; the pets provide much needed unconditional love, and the traffickers leverage and manipulate that love by threatening harm to the pet. Thankfully, there are local rescues they have partnered with to take in these animals, thus removing this barrier so the survivors can seek the help they need.
The Everglowing evening promises to be enjoyable, even though the topic is tough. There will be a wonderful chicken Marsala entrée, live music, a silent auction that will include items such as a three-night stay at a Guntersville Lake House, a “last-man-standing heads-or-tails” game that will garner all manner of gifts and provide a lot of fun, and a keynote speaker/best-selling author by the name of Christie Hensler. Christie and supermodel Kathy Ireland co-authored the book “Strength: Crush Fear, Embrace Change, Achieve Success.”
A few closing thoughts: Fortify Alabama will also be hosting their annual anti-trafficking conference on July 18 in Huntsville, AL. This conference will offer CEUs for first responders, counselors, and many more, but will be open to the public for anyone who wants to educate themselves on what is going on in their backyard. Also, Fortify Alabama is part of Guidestar, which is an organization that ensures accountability
for non-profit organizations. For more information re: tickets for Everglowing, the July conference, and ways to get involved, please go to fortifyalabama.com. See you on May 16!
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
April 18, 2025
