Meet Jenelle Goodrich | Founder, Executive Director, Case Manager, and Community Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenelle Goodrich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenelle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I began the nonprofit, From Silenced To Saved (FSTS), because more needed to be done for minors who have been exploited and fallen victim to Human Trafficking. There are so many organizations for adults but not nearly enough for minors. I knew more had to be done on the case management side of things.There needed to be a trauma informed person who was not only educated in domestic Human Trafficking, but also could withstand the difficulty of serving this population. This is not a 9-5 position, this is first responding, crisis management, late nights, long hours, little to no pay, abuse, secondary trauma and much more; not many people will sign up for that position. So many orgs have crumbled or fallen under due to funding, being mistreated, or are in this for the sheer face time and fame it gives them to be praised; I am not that person. I embrace the difficult, and welcome the broken; it’s how God made me. My thought process was merely, they matter, and if no one else wants to deal with them then I will. They deserve to know someone will show up, hold them to the fire, and advocate loudly for them even if it’s not always what they agree with. They matter.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe what sets FSTS apart from all other youth case management organizations, especially in the Human Trafficking bubble is, we do what is needed, plain and simple. If a girl needs a shoulder at midnight to cry on, we show up. If a youth needs school clothes, we get them and do not wait around for funding approval, we just do it. If a youth feels unsafe, FSTS shows up. If a youth is recovered and needs their hand held for a sane exam, FSTS shows up. If law enforcement needs assistance at sting operations so each contact made gets a friendly face and service, FSTS shows up. If a youth in on the run, FSTS meets them where they are. FSTS is also different because we are appointed to cases by Governmental agencies, we help bridge that wounded bridge between youth and law enforcement. I personally attend every court hearing that is attached to their name whether they are a named victim, a child named in a DHS case, or even a defendant. FSTS case manages the entire person and not just one piece of them. FSTS has strong relationships with multiple law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal level, pre trial services, department of human services, shelters, schools, district attorney offices, and other trusted organizations with the same vision and approach. FSTS attends every staffing if DHS is involved and works closely with their case workers, GAL’s, and therapists to ensure all their needs are being met. When I started FSTS I said one thing that will never change at FSTS is that we break the mold, we push boundaries, and we do what needs to be done to help set this kid up for success. FSTS has a very extensive list of pro bono resources, and an eclectic bag of solutions that is privy to only FSTS, which also sets us apart form others. FSTS is also prosecution motivated, over the years I have worked with victims who didn’t pursue their cases and its hindered their healing, we are the only nonprofit that requires cooperation with law enforcement and district attorneys; and while requiring that we help build those relationships between their whole team to work united to ensure the best longterm outcome and gain justice for them. We are fueled by victims, encouraged by survivors, and motivated to gain justice. We are different.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well luckily my best friend lives here and I genuinely prefer to be home eating and drinking my own supply on my back deck by the fire pit, but for argument sake if she did not I would take her to 16th street mall for the noodle bowls, I would make sure we went to a concert at Red Rocks because there is no place better to hear music than there! Although it would not be her favorite I would drag her to a Rockabilly bar for some velvet Elvis and swing dancing, and end the trip at a dive bar that you can find anywhere outside city limits that has a great jukebox while the Eagles blare and we add some Whitney Houston for good measure to tear up the dance floor, and drink cheap coronas! Denver has such a diversity of interests, lifestyles, and no matter where you go, you can find just about anything to suit a personas interests.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Husband Casey Goodrich. Casey supported me every step of the way even when this all seemed overwhelming and crazy to start. Casey became a board member, a supporter, and encourager without waver. FSTS would not have began without his unconditional support. I have to give credit to all my friends and partners in Law Enforcement (District Attorneys included in this) at the Local, State and Federal level for entrusting me with delicate and powerful tasks, without their trust, support, cheerleading and partnerships FSTS would not even be here. I have to give credit to all the donors, FSTS is a privately funded Organization and without them, we could not operate. And lastly, to all those who allow us to serve them, the trust, relationships, and bonds that have been built over the years are some I will cherish for all my life.

Website: https://fromsilencedtosaved.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FSTSBEHEARD

Other: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQT57JB33PHH8