At Lighthouse for Life, we are blessed with volunteers whose hearts burn with compassion and purpose. One of those hearts belongs to Charissa Stacey, who has been faithfully volunteering with us since 2021. Her journey is a reminder that service often begins with a spark — and grows into something that shapes lives, including our own.
From a Fundraiser to the Frontlines of Awareness
Charissa first encountered Lighthouse for Life at a fundraising event. Something about the mission struck a chord deep within her. Inspired and curious, she leaned in — and hasn’t looked back since. Over the years, she has stepped into several impactful roles, including speaking to youth as a member of the Speaker’s Bureau, assisting with Light the Fight 5Ks, and representing the organization at resource tables. Her willingness to show up — wherever needed — is a testament to her heart for the cause.
A Moment in the Cold That Warmed Her Soul
But one moment stands out from all the others: a freezing cold January morning, in the middle of the woods, before the sun had even risen. Charissa had taken on an acting role for a rucking event — a grueling, immersive experience designed to physically and emotionally connect participants to the realities of human trafficking.
She remembers standing silently in the shadows, feeling the chill bite at her skin, listening to the sounds of footsteps approaching. The cold, the isolation, the weight of the moment — it all hit her differently. She wasn’t just playing a role. For that short time, she was stepping into the story of a real person who had experienced unthinkable darkness.
“At each mile marker, participants in the 10k would stop to listen as each volunteer acted out their role in a dramatic telling based on true stories of the life of a human trafficking victim. I played the part of Skye, a 12-year-old girl being groomed by a trafficker. As I stood there, bundled in my coat and boots with my toes growing numb, I was struck that victims of sex trafficking weathered this cold every night dressed much less warmly than myself. They were cold and taken advantage of and stuck in a cycle of abuse that they felt they could not escape. I felt the weight of the message Lighthouse for Life carried on behalf of these victims a little more keenly than I had before that day.”
That morning changed how she viewed the fight against human trafficking. It deepened her empathy, sharpened her resolve, and anchored her even more firmly in the belief that freedom is worth fighting for.
Words That Carry Her Forward
In her journey with Lighthouse for Life, Charissa is grounded by the powerful promise of John 16:33:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This verse is her reminder that even in a world shadowed by injustice, hope prevails — and grace wins.
For the Hesitant Heart: “Just Ask”
To anyone considering volunteering but feeling unsure where to begin, Charissa offers this encouragement:
“Ask! Reach out through the website and fill out the volunteer form or contact whoever told you about Lighthouse for Life and find out how you can get involved. We need more people to join the fight. The more people are educated and made aware of the problem of human trafficking, the more people there are standing against the evil that is modern day slavery. These men, women, and children need our support. We must speak out for those who have had their voices stolen. You can give, you can pray, you can tell your friends… but please don’t continue to sit on the sidelines once you’ve heard the truth. Your support matters. You can help us fight to eradicate human trafficking and bring hope to those who have none!”
It doesn’t take a perfect plan, or a specific skill set — just a willingness to say, “YES!”