Rising Stars: Meet Ashley of Northern Colorado

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley.

Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Ashley, and the origins of Justice Now are deeply personal. My passion for this work is rooted in my own journey, having encountered some of the harsh realities and violence that exist in our world. These difficult experiences opened my eyes to the vulnerabilities so many face, and instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and responsibility. I realized I could not remain silent in the face of injustice, and I felt compelled to take action for those whose voices often go unheard.

My journey began with overseas service, working directly to combat human trafficking in other countries. However, I soon recognized that this horrific crime is not just a distant problem—it is happening right here in our own communities across the United States. This realization led me to Northern Colorado in 2022, where I set out to establish a ministry dedicated to raising awareness and taking tangible action against trafficking locally.

In 2023, my personal life took a joyful turn as I married and started my own family. This new chapter only deepened my commitment to the cause, as I became even more determined to create a safer world for all families and individuals vulnerable to exploitation.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to building Justice Now has definitely had its ups and downs. Starting any nonprofit comes with a learning curve, and ours was no exception. One of the main challenges has been raising awareness about human trafficking in Northern Colorado. Many people don’t realize it’s an issue happening locally, so a big part of our work has involved educating the community and breaking down misconceptions.

There have also been practical hurdles like finding funding, building partnerships, and creating programs that really meet the needs of survivors and the community. Sometimes resources have been tight, and there have been moments when progress felt slow. But each challenge has helped us grow, adapt, and become more effective.

Overall, while the road hasn’t always been easy, every obstacle has taught us something valuable and reinforced our commitment to the mission. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received and are excited to keep moving forward.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Justice Now, our mission is to fight human trafficking in Northern Colorado by equipping our community to recognize, prevent, and respond to exploitation. We focus on three main areas: education, care kits, and safe transportation.
Education is at the heart of what we do. We offer practical, real-world trainings for law enforcement, clinical workers, businesses, churches, and community members. Our goal is to make sure everyone feels prepared to recognize and respond to trafficking.
We provide care kits-backpacks filled with essentials-to survivors and those at risk, offering immediate support and dignity. We’re also developing safe transportation programs to help survivors access appointments, job interviews, and safe housing.
What sets us apart:
Justice Now is survivor-informed and trauma-informed. We actively consult with survivors to ensure their voices shape our programs. Our trainings often feature survivors sharing their stories-including split sessions with different perspectives-which brings authenticity and deeper understanding to our work.
We’re committed to addressing the root causes of trafficking by identifying gaps in resources and awareness in our community. Our grassroots, relational approach means we work closely with local organizations, law enforcement, churches, clinics, and, most importantly, survivors themselves.
By listening to those with lived experience and focusing on early intervention, we offer practical solutions that make a real difference. Every step forward, no matter how small, brings us closer to a safer, more just community.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Looking ahead, we see the anti-human trafficking movement shifting in ways that aligns with our mission at Justice Now.

First, we believe prevention will become even more central. The field is moving toward identifying vulnerabilities and community gaps long before someone ever meets a trafficker. This aligns perfectly with our approach focusing on early intervention, education, and community awareness, so we can stop trafficking before it starts.

We want Justice Now to bring exposure to human trafficking to 10% of Northern Colorado. We know this is a hefty bite to swallow, but we believe that real change starts with big dreams, persistence, and everyday effort. We’re not under any illusions that this will be easy or quick; it’s a long-term vision that will take time, partnership, and a lot of hard work. Still, even if we only get part of the way there, every person reached is one more potential advocate, one more life changed, and one more step toward a safer community for everyone.

We also anticipate more collaboration across sectors. Partnerships between nonprofits, law enforcement, clinics, churches, and local businesses are becoming the norm, and we’re excited to keep building those relationships here in Northern Colorado. Working together makes our community’s response stronger and more connected.

Technology will continue to shape both the risks and the solutions. While traffickers are using new digital tools to exploit people, organizations like ours are also finding ways to use technology for outreach, education, and connecting survivors to resources. Staying adaptable and investing in digital safety will be key.

Another big change is the growing emphasis on survivor voices and leadership. We’re already seeing a shift toward listening to those with lived experience and making sure their insights guide prevention and support efforts. Justice Now is committed to learning from survivors so our work truly meets real needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://antiochfc.org/justice-now