Emergency Assistance at Holding Out HELP
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
It is DAY 2 of our Ignite the Light | 12 Days of Freedom and we are talking about Emergency Assistance for those we serve.
When someone leaves a polygamous culture or other insular community, they often leave behind more than a home. They may leave behind their support system, financial stability, transportation, personal belongings, and sometimes even contact with family members. The first days and weeks can be filled with uncertainty.
Will they be safe?
How will they communicate with trusted support people?
How will they protect themselves and their children while navigating an unfamiliar world?
At Holding Out HELP, we believe that safety is the essential foundation for anyone seeking to build a self-reliant and independent life.
We provide the practical building blocks of security by offering critical tools such as emergency burner phones to maintain vital lifelines, hidden dashcams or security cameras for immediate physical protection, and child safety tracking devices to give parents peace of mind. Beyond these specific tools, our support includes providing Safe Housing to create a secure foundation for individuals and families during times of crisis. We also facilitate Case Management and Advocacy, which offer the dedicated guidance needed for legal advocacy and path-clearing steps such as covering mandatory filing fees. By addressing these immediate safety needs, we help ignite the light on a journey toward true independence.
In order to provide these vital safety tools and ensure every family has a secure foundation, we need your support.
The Hidden Challenges of Safety
When someone leaves a polygamous culture or other insular community, they are often leaving behind far more than a home. They may lose contact with family members, experience rejection from loved ones, or find that important relationships change dramatically.
For many individuals, these losses are the primary challenge they face. However, for others, leaving can involve additional safety concerns.
In some high-control environments, communication, movement, and access to outside resources may be closely monitored. Individuals may fear reaching out for support, seeking help, or establishing independence because of the potential consequences they could face if discovered.
Some individuals report that their phones have been monitored, tracked, or otherwise compromised, making it difficult to communicate safely with support systems such as Holding Out HELP. Others have described concerns about tracking devices being placed on vehicles or belongings, or being monitored by members of their former community.
In certain groups, individuals may fear repercussions if they are found seeking outside assistance. These consequences can include social isolation, family separation, loss of community standing, relocation, or threats to deeply held spiritual beliefs and relationships.
For example, some former members of the FLDS community have described concerns about being monitored by individuals sometimes referred to as the "God Squad," contributing to fears about leaving or seeking help openly.
This is why safety planning is such an important part of the support Holding Out HELP provides. Resources such as emergency phones, child safety devices, and security cameras can help individuals and families feel safer as they build new lives and establish greater independence.
For many people, these tools are more than just devices—they represent peace of mind, connection to support, and the freedom to move forward.
How You Can Help
Donate: Every dollar moves an individual or family closer to a stable, self-reliant future
Start a Recurring Gift: Become a monthly donor to help us sustain these vital services, like housing and therapy, year-round
Follow & Share: Help us break the isolation by sharing our daily "Sparks of Hope" posts on social media
Join Sam and Melissa Zitting on July 2nd for a live Q&A on their YouTube channel, Growing Up in Polygamy, as they bring together our campaign collaborators to discuss community, healing, and the impact of partnership.
Child Safety
$25 can help provide a child safety tracking device for a client
offering added security and peace of mind.
Emergency Burner Phones
$30 / month can provide a client with an emergency burner phone
providing a reliable source of communication and support.
Security Cameras
$150 buys a hidden dashcam or security camera
for a client's safety.
A Safe Place to Stay
$100 can help provide emergency lodging for someone in crisis