TAMPA, Fla. — Karen Bowen is preparing for a busy Thanksgiving. The foster mom has been a caregiver to more than 300 kids over the years and many return for the holidays.

“I want them to feel that this is home, no matter what,” said Bowen. “This is home.”

What You Need To Know

Children’s Home Network provides in-depth training so parents can support young victims of human trafficking
Karen Bowen helps foster children find themselves again after recently receiving Safe Home Licensing
Nine children that were recovered during “Operation: Home for the Holidays” were placed in a Hillsborough County group and safe homes

Bowen recently completed in-depth training through Children’s Home Network that concentrates on caring for young victims of human trafficking.

“I have to make sure that you feel safe, so when you walk back through this door, I’m giving you a hug,” said Bowen. “I’m not asking you any questions, because when it’s your time to talk with me is your time. My goal is also to help bring back the dignity that you think that you may have lost.”

Bowen helps her foster children find themselves by providing more than a bed to sleep in.

“I’m here to give you the support, the guidance, the love and the opportunity to rebuild yourself,” Bowen says of making sure to connect foster children with support services that include mental health counseling and connecting with case managers and peer support from those with lived experience in human trafficking. 

Some of the 122 missing and endangered children recently rescued during Operation Home for the Holidays are rebuilding with help from a designated Safe Home like Bowen’s.

Tianay Lewis with Children’s Home Network helped place nine of those children in a Hillsborough County group and foster homes. She said the in-depth training that Safe Home Parents receive is essential.

“All of our training focuses on trauma and loss and risk factors that our kids have from trauma in their lives,” said Lewis. “They would learn about what potential indicators are of a child who might be trafficked. Safety, obviously, is a huge part of it, responding to trauma responses.” 

Bowen’s hope is that foster kids get support they need to find new confidence and start a new life.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t survive through this,” said Bowen. “You’re a survivor. You’re survivor.”

Survivors, Bowen wants to make sure have a place to call home.