Our Origin Story

How Colorado Faith Alliance Began: Abby’s Story

For me, the fight against child trafficking didn’t start with statistics or cold data—it started with the face of a child. What began as a deeply personal encounter within my own family soon became a life-changing call to action that led to the creation of Colorado Faith Alliance (CFA).

It all began in 2015 when I met Beverly, a young girl who had been trafficked by her father from the age of eight. Beverly’s story is one of unimaginable trauma, but also of incredible resilience.

A Family Encounter That Changed Everything

My brother, the Global Director for Southeast Asia with Foursquare International, and his wife, welcomed Beverly into their home after she was rescued from a life of trafficking. I remember when they shared her story with me—how her own father had forced her into the world of trafficking and how it had shattered her childhood.

My sister, Lynne Barletta, the founder of Florida Faith Alliance, was the first in our family to meet Beverly. She met her in Singapore, during a mission trip where she painted murals with children who had endured similar horrors. Lynne was there to make a difference, but it was Beverly’s story that changed her life forever. For Lynne, this encounter wasn’t just an opportunity to help—it was a turning point that opened her eyes to the grim reality of child trafficking.

Meeting Beverly: A Moment I Will Never Forget

A year later, Beverly visited my brother and his family in Florida.  I had the privilege of getting to know her and hearing firsthand about the horrors she had experienced. Even after escaping her father’s control, he didn’t stop reaching out, urging her to come back and continue trafficking for “the family.”

But my brother would always reassure her, saying, “This is not who you are. You can be a beautiful young woman with a wonderful life and family.” That support gave Beverly the strength to move forward.

The Questions That Sparked My Journey

Beverly’s story left me with so many questions:

• How many children are suffering like Beverly right now?

• What can we do to prevent this from happening to more children?

• How can I help protect others who are in danger?

It was these questions that sparked a deep, unshakeable passion in me. I realized that I couldn’t simply look away from this issue anymore. I had to take action.

From Pain to Purpose: The Birth of Colorado Faith Alliance

That’s when I made the decision to get involved. I couldn’t remain silent. I had to be part of the solution. The desire to raise awareness, mobilize others, and advocate for the voiceless became my mission.

And that’s how Colorado Faith Alliance was born.

Together with other leaders of faith, we created an organization rooted in love and action—dedicated to fighting child trafficking, supporting survivors, and protecting the vulnerable. This movement was sparked by a simple truth: Every child deserves to live free from exploitation, and we won’t stop until it’s a reality.