From Statistics to Stories: Partnering with Lily House in the Dominican Republic

In my last post, The Hidden Crisis in Our Backyard, I shared why Sela Designs exists: to stop human trafficking, care for orphans, and break cycles of generational poverty. The statistics are staggering. The stories are heartbreaking. And yet, there is so much hope when we link arms with others who are doing the hard, holy work of restoration.

This week, with the launch of our new collection, I want to take you deeper into one of those stories—because it’s one that has fueled my passion in a new way.

Meeting Lily House

When I traveled to the Dominican Republic, we hit the ground running with a 90-minute drive straight to Lily House. Alongside one of my closest friends and a missionary we were serving with, I arrived at a property that felt both warm and safe. Out front sits a small café and coffee shop (confession: the desserts were incredible), but the real heart of Lily House is what happens behind those doors.

We were welcomed by Erica, the founder; Angie, the sales director; and Yajaida, the in-country director. Together, they’ve built something extraordinary: a refuge for teenage girls who have been trafficked or are at high risk.

Walking through the café, I got a glimpse of how holistic their program is, offering not just shelter, but also counseling, education, and job training. These girls meet with a psychologist three times a week, attend classes, and learn practical skills that open doors to a future full of dignity and independence.

Face-to-Face With Courage

I’ll admit, I was antsy to meet the girls. When class ended, we gathered in the workspace where they shyly began showing me the jewelry they had made. In my broken Spanish, I kept repeating, “muy bonita,” wishing I could say more.

As I looked into their eyes, I couldn’t reconcile the horror of what they had lived through with the innocence of their age. Sixteen years old. The same age as my friends’ daughters. The same age as my son’s friends.

One sweet girl, timid but eager, showed me her nails. She had discovered a love for art through her healing journey at Lily House. I couldn’t stop thinking: she’s just so young.

In that moment, words failed me. I didn’t know what to say about Sela Designs or our mission. Talking about trafficking felt too raw, too heavy. Talking about jewelry felt too trivial. But then it clicked—these girls had stepped into Lily House never knowing how to make jewelry either. And yet here they were, finding healing through the very thing that connects us.

Their questions for me were simple: “How old are you?” (when I said 40, they all gasped and insisted I looked too young—instant friends!) “Do you have kids?” “Will you pray for us?” That last request humbled me to my core.

We took a photo together, just our hands, not our faces. A circle of hands, a symbol of partnership. Hands working together, while God knits our hearts together.

Why Jewelry Matters

At Lily House, jewelry is more than a product. It’s therapy. It’s a path toward recovery. The girls are paid for what they make, whether it sells in the café or abroad, but they’re not pressured to produce. The point isn’t production—it’s healing. Along the way, they learn to save and manage money, skills that are life-changing in a country where poverty is so entrenched.

That week, I spent hours with Yajaida teaching jewelry-making techniques—how to make stronger connections, prevent tarnishing, and finish pieces more professionally. She soaked up every detail, eager to pass it along to the girls. We even went bead shopping in the capital (a wild adventure in itself!) before I stayed up late into the night creating samples for Lily House to produce for Sela Designs.

Those samples are already on their way. And in the meantime, we’ve launched a line of beaded necklaces, made in our studio and designed to financially support this partnership. Every purchase helps fund supplies, living wages, and ongoing growth.

Walking Away Changed

I left Lily House trembling—with both the weight of the girls’ stories and the hope of their recovery. What I know for sure is this: this partnership matters. These girls matter. And I’m committed to doing whatever I can to support their healing and redemption.

Living wage jobs change lives. They provide not only income, but also dignity, stability, and hope for the future. And while our efforts may feel like just drops in the ocean, those drops matter. Every necklace, every purchase, every prayer makes a difference.

So thank you. Thank you for standing with us, for supporting Sela Designs, and for believing in this mission. Together, we are writing a story of justice, hope, and freedom—one that I’m honored to be part of, and one I couldn’t do without you.