Community Highlights: Meet Kim Hommel of Consider the Lily

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Hommel.

Hi Kim, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
We are a non-profit based out of Gilbert, AZ but our homes are in Manila, Philippines. Eleven years ago, the mom of the home, Josie Long, felt led to open a safe home for sexually exploited girls in Manila. Our first home started with 32 girls and we have grown to two homes with 72 girls. Consider that Lily works with the local government to bring girls from the ages of 3-18 who have been sexually exploited.

We have a team of social workers to help the girls open cases against their abusers and walk them through the process of prosecution. Education is the most important part of CtL and we make sure every girl attends university or trade school to be able to support themselves as an adult.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Consider that Lily has grown slowly over the years which has allowed us to ensure every girl receives the care she needs. Creating a family with girls coming from such trauma will always have its challenges but the outcome will always outweigh the pain.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Consider the Lily is a rescue home for sexually exploited girls in Manila, Philippines. I have been the Executive Director for eleven years. I have been able to watch CtL grow into the family it is today. What sets us apart is we are a family, not an institution. We bring every girl in with the intention to be a part of her life forever. We believe prosecution is important and healing for each girl and we do whatever it takes in ensure every girl receives the education she needs to succeed in life.

Two years ago we started a program, Alam Ko Jewelry, where we hire and train the relatives of the girls in the home to make seed bead jewelry in order to provide a livable wage for their families. In most cases, the perpetrator is a family member and when they are put in prison the family is left without the main breadwinner. Alam Ko provides an income to help fill in the gap and help them rise out of poverty.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most of the girls at CtL decide to go to school to become social workers, lawyers, or counselors so they can continue to help girls who have been sexually exploited.

Online exploitation has grown 274% in the Philippines during the pandemic.

Pricing:

• $100 1 month of education for 1 girl
• $300 1 month of living expenses for 1 girl

Contact Info:

• Website: www.considerthelily.org and www.alamkojewelry.com
• Instagram: @considerthelilyinc and @alamkojewelry
• Facebook: @considerthelilyinc and @alamkojewelry
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGqqevcvH6A&t=27s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YODJ41Cdqw&t=51s