BUILD.HEAL.RESTORE.

About

Treasured Vessels Foundation provides Christ-centered safe communities that restore survivors of sexual exploitation to achieve their true potential. Founded in 2016, TVF uses a holistic and comprehensive approach in mental health therapy, education, physical health, and community to assist survivors of sex trafficking in building an independent and sustainable future.

TVF’s current and in-progress safe homes in Collin County, Texas are designed to provide a safe and stable environment where women can heal while processing their complex trauma through a discipleship intensive program. Survivors, referred to as Resident Interns, learn relational and healthy coping techniques in our home, which are critical in learning how to break the trauma response cycles they have learned through exploitation, and build healthy, trusting relationships.

TVF’s Christ-Centered safe home program is tailored specifically to each survivor’s unique needs. We provide a vast number of services that are vital in helping these women heal and restore themselves toward a sustainable, independent lifestyle. Our team of professionals and specially trained staff offer comprehensive faith-based services, including therapy, psychiatric, medical and dental care, discipleship, culinary skills and career readiness, all in the context of connection through community. Survivors in our program develop healthy coping skills, through substance abuse support, professional nutrition consultation, karate, self-defense, music, and art. Our approach is holistic and assists strong and resilient survivors as they do the hard work of recovery.

Treasured Vessels’ safe home program is unmatched with regard to the intensive short-term services offered for survivors. Our supportive programming focuses on developing stability while increasing capacity for greater autonomy and long-term sustainability in the future. TVF wants to help each survivor walk confidently toward their goals and support them in achieving success.

HISTORY

Treasured Vessels Foundation (TVF) was founded with a vision to make a significant impact on the world. After leaving her career in medical device sales, Alicia Bush sought clarity on how to contribute to creating a better world. In a dream, she felt called by God to establish an aftercare facility for girls rescued from sex trafficking locally. Her family was well-positioned to bring this vision to fruition, with Alicia’s husband, Brandon Bush, being a home builder in North Texas.
Alicia knew she couldn't tackle this mission alone, so she gathered a small team of friends to lay the foundation for TVF. Thanks to their steadfast commitment, TVF officially became a 501(c)(3) and began reaching out to the community. Initially, small meetings were held in Alicia’s living room, which later expanded to gatherings with church groups, schools, local businesses, rotary clubs, and more. These meetings focused on highlighting the urgent need for TVF's services and the reality of trafficking occurring right in our own community. In the first year, numerous prayers were offered, meetings were attended, connections were established, and strategic relationships were built, setting the stage for future momentum.
The TVF team prioritized purchasing land, breaking ground, and constructing homes to ensure there were beds available for girls rescued from domestic sex trafficking. The original vision was to develop a tiny home community—a secure environment where survivors could find healing and restoration. Renderings were created, and fundraising efforts were concentrated on bringing this vision to life.
The TVF staff attended a trafficking conference to deepen their understanding of this population and refine how they can effectively support the community.
In March, TVF hosted its first major event to raise public awareness about its mission and needs, drawing an audience of 250 people. Later in the year, TVF held a luncheon with Elizabeth Smart, which further expanded education on domestic trafficking and highlighted the role the community can play in ending it.
A significant milestone was achieved in 2019 when all the planning and hard work came to fruition. TVF leased their first safe home on 12 acres in Lucas, TX. Before residents could move in, the home required repairs, so a team of volunteers came together to make necessary fixes, furnish the space, and even rebuild a deck, transforming the house into a welcoming home.
A distinctive feature of TVF is its therapeutic program, crafted by a team of highly trained and educated experts. The aim was not only to provide a safe place for survivors but also to offer comprehensive therapy, education, medical care, and life skills necessary for their healing and growth into community-strengthening citizens. With the addition of new staff members, including therapists, Resident Assistants, and external professionals, TVF was fully prepared to open its doors and realize its mission.
Sixty days after leasing the house, completing repairs, finalizing the program, and hiring staff, TVF opened the doors of its first safe house. This highly anticipated day was eagerly awaited not only by TVF staff but also by law enforcement, hospitals, and other local organizations. The safe house provided crucial beds for women seeking refuge from traffickers, offering them a chance to find safety, receive necessary medical care, and access mental health services to break cycles of abuse. The availability of these beds also helped alleviate pressure on jails and hospitals, where survivors had previously been left vulnerable with no other options but to return to their traffickers.
On January 24, 2020, TVF welcomed its first resident. This milestone was made possible by the dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and collaborative partnerships with other anti-trafficking organizations. The community’s support was evident in their swift response to emerging needs. A van was donated to facilitate court appearances, medical appointments, equine therapy, and outings. Clothing was provided, and Amazon wish lists were quickly fulfilled.
In March of 2021, TVF expanded by purchasing a new home, which now provides accommodation for six women. In May, our first resident graduated from the program, creating space for two additional women to join. This milestone not only marked a significant achievement for our program but also allowed us to further extend our support and services to more survivors.
In 2022, Treasured Vessels Foundation experienced significant milestones and growth. In April, TVF welcomed two new residents with distinct backgrounds and challenges, both eager to begin their healing journeys. One resident was young, extroverted, and struggled with maintaining her safety during difficult times, while the other was quiet and introverted, working to overcome medication dependency. Despite their differences, both residents shared a readiness for change. In September, TVF welcomed another new resident, bringing the home to near full capacity. The organization expressed excitement about her arrival while emphasizing the urgent need to build a new transitional home to accommodate the growing demand. November marked the graduation of a resident who had spent just under two years with TVF. During her time, she worked through childhood trauma, developed essential life skills, and reconciled with her family through TVF-facilitated counseling. She returned home and thrived in her new job, with TVF expressing immense pride in her accomplishments. These moments in 2022 reflect TVF's continued dedication to providing support, healing, and growth opportunities for survivors.
In 2023, Treasured Vessels Foundation continued to celebrate the progress and achievements of its residents. In May, one resident reached a significant milestone by completing one year in the program. This accomplishment marked an important step in her healing journey, and TVF expressed deep pride in her dedication and growth. Throughout the year, the organization maintained its focus on providing a supportive and empowering environment for survivors, helping them to overcome challenges and move toward a brighter future. The milestones of 2023 underscore TVF's commitment to fostering long-term healing and resilience for the individuals in its care.
In 2024, Treasured Vessels Foundation saw several transformative events that marked a new chapter for the organization. In January, all residents in the program successfully moved to the next phase and graduated, demonstrating their incredible progress and readiness to face new opportunities. February brought a comprehensive restructuring effort aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing program effectiveness, with staff reductions and reorganization to better align with TVF's mission. In March, TVF proudly began accepting new residents, welcoming new survivors into a refreshed and supportive environment, a significant step forward after the organizational changes. By September, another resident completed the 6-month program, moving on to take the next steps in her journey independently. The achievements of 2024 highlight TVF’s continued growth and its unwavering dedication to providing care, structure, and support for survivors.

Photo of a safe living environment for survivors.

Our Mission

We exist to provide Christ-centered safe communities that restore survivors of sexual exploitation to achieve their true potential.

Our Vision

Our long-term goals are to grow the capacity of our current program, launch a medical outreach program, launch our first community for minors, and become a model that can be replicated throughout the United States.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Alicia Bush is the founder of Treasured Vessels Foundation, a Frisco, Texas-based anti-trafficking nonprofit, that exists to provide safe communities that restore survivors of sexual exploitation to achieve their true potential. A native North Texan, Alicia was a successful business and church leader for over 20 years before feeling called to launch a safe house for survivors of trafficking. After giving up her career with this conviction in her heart, she sought out the most talented and trauma-informed leaders in the helping profession to join her in building this agency, now serving hundreds each year.

Alicia envisions safe communities for survivors launched across Texas and the United States.

Alicia is a business owner, author, White House Faith Leader, and member in the C7 Coalition, North Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking, C3ST, Youth Homelessness Committee, Frisco Chamber of Commerce, Plano Chamber of Commerce, and the CEO Non-Profit Council.

Alicia has been married to her husband, Brandon, for 20 years and they have five biological, adopted, and homeschooled children. In her free time, she loves to travel as an international missionary. Alicia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Biology/Chemistry from The University of North Texas.

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Meet the Team

Katelyn Shaffer

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

OUR BOARD

Charlyn Plunk is an engineer, wife, and mother of 3 children and a passionate advocate for STEM education. She has worked as an engineer for 23 years in various roles and companies and is passionate to help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
In 2001, after Charlyn had her first child, she decided to start her own EHS consulting company so she could have more flexibility for her family. During this time, she joined the Junior League of Plano and quickly got involved with an exploratory committee looking into the viability of a community science center in the Collin County area. After 2 more kids and 5 years of strategic planning, meeting with community leaders, branding, and fundraising, in 2008, Charlyn helped open the first science center in Collin County located in Frisco, Texas. The Sci-Tech Discovery Center provides dynamic, educational experiences that inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to embrace discovery and innovation through the active exploration of science, math, and technology. The center hosts over 20,000 people every year, inspiring them with innovative exhibits and programming. Since opening, Charlyn has served on the Board of Directors as the BOD chair and Development chair responsible for raising $250k during her term and the Brainiac Bowl Gala chair for 3 years raising over $200k for the center.
In October 2015, Charlyn became the STEM Advisor for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and their new STEM Center of Excellence, Camp Whispering Cedars, in South Dallas set to open in the summer of 2016. She is heading up the STEM Advisory Council made up of community STEM experts. This new facility and corresponding programming throughout Northeast Texas host 40,000 girls a year from ages 5-to 18 years old focusing on environmental science, biomedical science, engineering, and astronomy.
In her spare time, Charlyn owns CGP Ventura, LLC with oil and gas properties in West Texas. She also serves on the Texas Tech Industrial Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, is a member of the Texas Tech Lifetime Engineering Academy, and serves as the President-Elect for the Whitacre College of Engineering Dean’s Council at Texas Tech University. She is an avid tennis player, golfer, world traveler, and adventure seeker.
Dugan P. Kelley has extensive experience representing clients in trade secret, catastrophic injury, class action, product liability, intellectual property, defamation and other complex litigation matters. Mr. Kelley's practice also includes representing companies and family businesses in providing advice and counsel in the capacity as outside general counsel. He currently sits on the Boards of several organizations, including Single Christianity (an interactive magazine providing resources and information to single individuals from a Biblical perspective) and Hiinga Microfinance (a nonprofit organization seeking to eliminate extreme hunger and poverty in the lives of smallholder farmers in East Africa). Mr. Kelley continues to actively advise and counsel a number of churches and para-church ministries. From 2008 through 2016, Mr. Kelley has been selected as a "Super Lawyer Rising Star" - recognized as the best attorneys under age 40. Mr. Kelley and his wife, Michelle have 3 boys. The entire Kelley family is actively involved in giving back to their local church and community.
Karen Goetting is a well-rounded banker with a unique experience as a regulator, workout specialist, and lending manager. She has worked with federal regulators during two banking crises, designed processes to market failing institutions for the least cost/highest return to the FDIC also monitored sale agreements between regulators and institutions for compliance with purchase terms. She managed the Special Asset Divisions of two institutions to ensure compliance with the FDIC purchase agreements, oversee the examination process, and supervise the loan staff with asset resolutions. She also partners with her brother in a real estate company that invests in single-family homes for rehab, rentals, and resale.
Karen has always had an interest in supporting women in business and in other areas of their lives. She served as President and Treasurer of Northwest Noon Business and Professional Women Association in San Antonio. This local chapter of the national organization promoted the interests of women in business, provides opportunities for education, training, and development, and promotes networking and support.
Empowering Women as Leaders – Dallas and Empowering Women as Leaders – National are two non-profit foundations that support women who return to college later in life. The Dallas chapter awards scholarships to students of Texas Woman’s University and one-on-one mentoring paired with a professional woman. Karen served as a mentor and Dallas board member for two years, then was asked to move up to the National Board as Marketing Director.
She has also always had an interest in serving her community and has served on her homeowner boards, knowing that her backyard is very important.
A native Texan, she received her BBA from the University of Texas at Tyler. She lives in Coppell with her three children (20, 17, and 17), who are the greatest gift from God. Watching her children grow up in today’s world created a passion for organizations that focus on the welfare of children, especially organizations focusing on depression and drug awareness in youth, trafficked children, and disadvantaged children. Supporting and working with these groups is one way to give back.
Katie Singleton is the first of her family as an immigrant to get a college education from the University of Washington with a focus on computer science. Katie worked as a Development Manager for Microsoft. She moved to Houston where she met her husband Van and helped supported him in growing Matador Resources, one of the top 25 gas and oil companies in America.
Her calling is to spread God’s message to help the plight of less fortunate people with their turning point moment. As a stay-at-home mom, she served on the PTA, Booster Club, volunteered as a guest reader, and chaperoned many field trips. As her children got older, she formed her own nonprofit to serve the Lord and her community, called Community 75. Katie has helped single moms find hope, helped keep small businesses open and helped the Gold Star Families Memorial. She sat on the board of the Dallas Heart Association and Foundation for CHOICE, which focuses on helping low-income students graduate from high school and go on to college.
Letetia Smith is the president of Destiny’s Leaders, a hands-on mentoring program created for youth in the community. Letetia was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. At the age of 19 she left home to find a better life. Letetia has been married for 18 years and the mother of a 17-year-old. Letetia and her family are members of The Potter’s House North Dallas where she serves on the ministry team. Letetia has been featured in Voyage Magazine along with Community Impact for her service with youth.
As registered nurse, Author, Community Mentor, member of Frisco Sunrise Rotary and Alumni of Leadership Frisco class of XXIII, and graduate of Faith Community Nursing Program, Letetia loves connecting with others while inspiring individuals to walk in their God given Identity. Letetia is dedicated to being a life-long student, as she currently pursues her Doctorate in Forensic Nursing to enhance her ability to serve her community. Letetia is passionate about helping others walk in their identity. She is not only TVF’s Medical Liaison but is a valued member of our Board of Directors.
Ryan McCoy is currently President and Co-Founder of Poiema Brands, a catalyst organization to launch and support brands for good. Ultimately, Ryan is driven by the desire to fulfill his purpose as created by God, or his "workmanship (Poiema), created for good works."
Ryan has utilized his passion, attitude and giftedness for business strategy, sales and marketing leadership, relationship building, and storytelling to guide organizations of all sizes to success in the U.S., Australia, South America, Mexico and Canada for nearly 25 years. Most recently, in 2019, he co-founded Just Like Home Kitchen Recipes®, a line of premium sauces based on home recipes from people across the United States. Past leadership roles also include Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Nature Nate's Honey Co. and Vice President at Crossmark.
He currently serves on the board of Treasured Vessels, the advisory board of the Texas A&M Center for Retailing Studies, and is a frequent guest speaker at universities and industry events. Ryan lives in Allen, Texas with his wife and three children, all of whom are die-hard Aggies.
Tamiel is an apartment real estate investor, a three-time Amazon best-selling author, mother of 2, and the President & co-founder of Think Multifamily. She, along with her husband Mark, currently own over 6700 Apartment units in 6 states across the U.S. Tamiel is passionate about apartment investing and she offers a holistic & family oriented approach to educating others on how to be successful in this business. She holds investor education conferences multiple times a year to help others learn how they can use apartment investing to provide freedom for themselves and their families.
Prior to being a full-time real estate investor, Tamiel was a Registered Nurse and served on the board of a Christian Medical Missions charity for over thirteen years. She is still actively involved in supporting Missions that work with at risk children and those who have been rescued from sex trafficking.
KELLY SINGLETON
Kelly is an important part of Team TVF! She served as our Director of Community Impact for 3 years and is now volunteering on our Advisory Board. Kelly specializes in Marketing, Sales, and Brand Awareness. Kelly’s heart for loving people well is very evident and it has been so beautiful to see how she has used her passions and gifts to end human trafficking.
TIFFANY HENDRA
Tiffany Hendra inspires women from all walks of life to live their most authentic, stylish, purposeful and courageous lives. She is a wife, TV personality, empowerment coach, creator of the YouTube Channel, Sanctuary Of Style which has graduated into The Coaching Sanctuary™, an empowerment company for women. Tiffany was inducted into the Bravo housewives sorority as a season one star on Real Housewives Of Dallas. Her mission is to help women live in freedom by aligning with God, harnessing their innate feminine power, using their voice, cultivating courage and living "all in" with unapologetic authenticity.
For more on Tiffany, check out her website tiffanyhendra.com and follow the behind the scenes of her life on Instagram @tiffanyhendra.
MAURICE JELKS
Maurice D. Jelks is a Vice President and Senior Trust Officer with the Bank of America Private Bank. His focus is on the administration of clients' trusts and carrying out the provisions contained in trust documents. In this capacity, Maurice oversees a complex set of fiduciary accounts and coordinates all aspects of trust administration. Maurice's career in the financial services industry spans over 17 years. Maurice earned his M.B.A. from DeVry University in Chicago, IL and is an avid supporter of his community. Maurice enjoys spending time working with youth to provide mentoring services. He is a recent graduate of Leadership Frisco Class XXI. He enjoys tennis, running and spending quality time with family. He resides in McKinney, Texas.
MELANIE NANCE
Melanie is a licensed Realtor and Director of Partnerships at the Cheney Group of The Associates Real Estate Company located at The Star in Frisco. Her dedication to serving the local community is apparent through her actions, communication and huge heart for giving her time to others. In addition to serving on the Advisory Council for Treasured Vessels Foundation, Melanie volunteers her time through multiple other organizations including Frisco Women's League, Frisco Chamber of Commerce as well as her own venture, Get to Know Local. Melanie enjoys spending her spare time welcoming new residents to the area and checking out the newest local hot spots and patios.

THERAPEUTIC PARTNERS

“Having a holistic and comprehensive program requires identifying high quality partners that allow us to offer that level of care. Having an established partnership with a psychiatrist who knows each survivor and works collaboratively with us has been game changing.”

— Elizabeth Schutz, LPC Director of Clinical Services