Announcing our New Executive Director!

A Way Out Ministries is excited to announce that Kaitrin E. Valencia has been hired as executive director to lead the organization in the fight against pornography and human trafficking.

Valencia, a licensed Illinois and Tennessee attorney, comes to AWO with experience in the government, non-profit, and faith-based sectors, both locally and nationally. She has previously worked for Chicago’s Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department, the Chicago Dream Center and most recently was the Operations and Process Director for JIFF, Inc. (Juvenile and Faith-Based Follow-Up) where she supervised all programming and implemented evidence-based juvenile justice best practices.

“We feel extremely fortunate to have found someone who possesses such a broad and experienced skill set. Kaitrin’s passion and vision excites us, and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow and lead A Way Out,” said Ruffin Jenkins, AWO Board Chairwoman.

Over the past three years, Valencia also launched and facilitated a Mid-South Call Center that reaches girls and women trafficked online through a ministry she founded, Skyway Railroad, that reaches, rescues, and places sex trafficking survivors nationally. 

“I am humbled and honored to join the A Way Out team and continue to reach our city and region,” says Kaitrin. “I am excited to use my experience to expand our reach in sharing the love of Jesus with all the women and girls we are privileged to serve.”

Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the Mid-South and A Way Out, founded in Memphis in 1992, was the first ministry in the US who specifically sought to help topless dancers.  Today, we take action against sexual exploitation and pornography by advocating for legislative changes, helping rescue and restore those victimized by and trapped in the sex industry, and educating the community on the harmful impact of the sex industry.  Through our advocacy, placement assistance, and residential housing program we have served over 600 women since our inception.

To learn more about Kaitrin, click here.