But where does the money go?

Fair question. Here is our answer. 

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Timea’s Cause Inc. is the legal name behind our work for now. It’s a survivor-led, for-profit social enterprise—not a registered charity. I want to be open about that.

I started this business because when we operated as a charity (with safe houses and a mobile crisis unit for victims of human trafficking), we struggled to raise enough to cover expenses and keep our doors open. We eventually closed in 2015. With no funding, no support, and no path forward, I decided to take charge of my own destiny and started watching Dragons' Den as if my life depended on it. (and it did)

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As a survivor, I didn’t want that to be the end of the work. I decided to learn how to build a business that could generate income and put its profits back into the cause—so we could continue supporting survivors and providing education and awareness.

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Over the past 12 years, Timea’s Cause Inc. Social Enterprise has reached more than 200,000 people through education and awareness work. While some speaking engagements have been paid, I’ve personally helped fund many of our campaigns, programs, and projects over the past eight years.

Along the way, we have:

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• Employed more than 10 survivors.

• Helped provide housing and stability for more than five survivors during the pandemic.

• Supported emergency transportation, housing, medical bills, funeral costs, and other urgent needs.

• Offered microloans and helped survivors with car payments and housing.

• Contributed more than $150,000 to the cause through survivor employment, victim support, unpaid speaking engagements, and other assistance.

I created Timea’s Thrift to help this work continue in a sustainable way. Through the thrift boutique, we hope to support local agencies serving victims and survivors, offer part-time employment, support local businesses, and keep raising awareness. Every purchase helps us build a future where this work can continue.