The Dr. Lois Lee Show

Part 2: In this episode of The Dr. Lois Lee Show, Alex R reflects on her journey out of exploitation and what it takes to rebuild a life after years of survival on the streets and online. Alex marks February 14 as her “celebration date”—two years since leaving the life. After 16 years of exploitation, she reached a breaking point. Her body could no longer endure what she had been through, and she knew she had to find a way out. Although she initially planned to leave in 2020, economic instability and limited work experience led her back to survival-based choices. With few employment options and a criminal record tied to her past, barriers to stability remained high. During the conversation, Alex shares how a conviction from Iowa has continued to follow her, impacting her ability to move forward. Dr. Lois Lee discusses the importance of long-term advocacy, including access to legal support. Through partnerships with volunteer attorneys, efforts are made to help clear records and remove barriers that keep survivors stuck. Alex’s story highlights the reality that leaving is not a single moment—it is a process that requires ongoing support, opportunity, and care. At Children of the Night, that support does not end. The organization remains committed to walking alongside survivors as they rebuild their lives. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

Locked inside an apartment. No phone. No food. No way out—until she found one. Janel left home as a teen, searching for safety and a way to survive. What she found instead was control and exploitation. At one point, she was kept inside an apartment, cut off from the outside world, with basic needs used against her. She found a way out. When Janel called Children of the Night, everything began to shift. With support, she earned her GED and was flown out to celebrate a milestone she once thought was out of reach: her graduation. Her message to her 18-year-old self:You are worthy of love without having to earn it from anyone. You do not need a man to survive. Invest in yourself. Every young person deserves the chance to rebuild, to learn, and to choose a different path. Support the work that makes stories like Janel’s possible. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

Part 2: In this episode of The Dr. Lois Lee Show, Alex shares her journey through exploitation, survival, and recovery — and the reality that healing is not a straight path. Alex began being exploited at just 13 years old after running away and surviving on the streets in Miami. After being located by the FBI through an anonymous tip, she was connected to Children of the Night and flown to Los Angeles. While at the Children of the Night shelter home, Alex experienced safety and support — but like many youth, the pull of the streets and the effects of trauma made it difficult to stay. She ran multiple times and returned to dangerous situations across different cities. Her story reflects several patterns often seen in exploitation: recruitment through people she knew, including at one point a female exploiter, ongoing instability, and cycles of progress followed by setbacks. Alex speaks openly about how her sense of normal had been shaped by survival, and how long it took to rebuild a different understanding of relationships. After years of struggle, including addiction and periods of instability, Alex found her way back to recovery. Today, she has been sober for three years. She is an insurance agent and the mother of twin girls and an 8-year-old boy. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing can take time, support, and many second chances — and that consistent, long-term care can make all the difference. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

In this episode of The Dr. Lois Lee Show, Silvia reflects on her journey from exploitation as a minor to becoming a mother determined to create a different future for her children. Silvia was arrested as a minor in the Dallas area in 2008. At the time, authorities knew who to call — Children of the Night in Los Angeles. She was flown to the organization’s 24-bed shelter home, where she experienced something many exploited youth have never known: safety, structure, and consistent support. While living at the home, Silvia earned her GED, began practicing meditation, and reconnected with her faith. She even participated in the Los Angeles County Science Fair, where she placed third — a moment that showed her what was possible when stability and encouragement were present. Like many young people, Silvia struggled with the desire for independence. She eventually left the shelter home with another girl. Not long after, the life found her again. Promised work, she instead found herself exploited by a man who sent her by Greyhound bus back to Texas. Silvia remained in that situation until becoming pregnant with her first child — a turning point that began shifting her path. Throughout the years, Children of the Night remained present in Silvia’s life, offering guidance and support whenever she reached back out. Today, Silvia is the mother of five children, with her oldest now 13. Her story reflects a reality often overlooked: leaving exploitation is rarely a straight path. Healing and stability often take time, support, and multiple chances. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

In Episode 22 of The Dr. Lois Lee Show, Giselle shares her story of perseverance, health challenges, and the kind of long-term support that changes lives. Giselle participated in last year’s Children of the Night graduation — a milestone that marked not just academic progress, but years of resilience. Today, she is facing renal failure and is waiting for a kidney donor. During dialysis treatments, Children of the Night flew case managers out to be with her — a reminder that support does not end after a program is completed. In this conversation, Giselle speaks candidly about what many people misunderstand: recovery from exploitation does not happen in 14 days. Healing is not a short-term intervention. Survivors need consistent guidance, advocacy, and sometimes lifelong support to rebuild stability and confidence. Despite her health challenges, Giselle is determined to complete her education and pursue work in the medical field — inspired in part by her own experiences navigating the healthcare system. This episode underscores a core belief of Children of the Night: rescue is the beginning. Long-term care, education, and presence are what sustain hope and create lasting change. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

In Part 2 of Katie’s story, The Dr. Lois Lee Show explores how generational trauma develops — and what it takes to interrupt it. Katie shares her lived experience of exploitation and survival, offering a clear look at how cycles of harm are passed down when children grow up without protection, education, or consistent support. Her story underscores a critical truth: exploitation does not happen in isolation. It is rooted in neglect, abuse, poverty, and the absence of safe adults and stable systems. But just as trauma can repeat across generations, healing can too. Dr. Lois Lee reflects on how early intervention, education, and long-term mentorship change outcomes for exploited and at-risk youth. When children are believed, supported, and given access to learning, their trajectory can shift — not only for them, but for their children as well. How Education and Long-Term Support Make the Difference Since 2017, Children of the Night has no longer operated a residential shelter. Today, the organization focuses on the long-term needs survivors identify as most critical for stability and independence, including: •Online GED tutoring for youth pushed out of traditional schooling •Educational scholarships for survivors and, in some cases, their children •Ongoing advocacy, mentorship, and academic support that restores agency and opportunity Education is more than a credential. It is a pathway out of exploitation, a foundation for independence, and one of the strongest tools for preventing trauma from repeating across generations. Katie’s story is honest, difficult, and deeply important. It is also a testament to what becomes possible when society chooses sustained support over silence. Listener note: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including exploitation and trauma. Please take care while listening. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

In Memory of Deborah Hardman A hero of the streets—and the daughter who survived the cost. Morgan Hardman speaks candidly with Dr. Lois Lee about a childhood shaped by chaos, trauma, and survival. Raised in and out of alternative homes, Morgan confronts the painful realities of abuse, blurred boundaries, and learning far too early the difference between “good” and “bad” touch. She shares her journey toward forgiveness—recognizing how the dangerous men in her life mirrored the complexities of her relationship with her mother. Morgan also reflects on being thrust into public roles at a young age, and the moment Dr. Lois Lee intervened to save her from a pimp attempting to traffic her in another city. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lee also introduces the Children of the Night Alumni Committee, which provides scholarships for alumni, their children, and future generations. Raw, unfiltered, and deeply human, this episode is a story of survival, reckoning, and the long road to healing. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

Dr. Lois Lee speaks with Morgan Hardman about the life and legacy of her mother, Deborah Hardman—an unsung hero who played a critical role in helping investigators during the Hillside Strangler murders. Working courageously on the streets, Deborah helped protect young women involved in prostitution and became a trusted source for KNBC News during one of Los Angeles’ most terrifying crime sprees. In this conversation, Dr. Lee also reflects on her own involvement in the case, including uncovering early clues about how the Hillside Strangler targeted victims and identifying a location connected to the murder of Kimberly Martin, one of the many victims. She recounts a chilling moment when she reported a missing young woman during the murders—only to be dismissed by LAPD with the words, “She’s just a prostitute.” This episode honors the bravery, persistence, and humanity of women who fought to save lives when others refused to see their worth. ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

Doc came to Children of the Night at 16 years old. A gay teen and survivor of sexual abuse in the 1990s, he had already endured violence, rejection, and instability while trying to survive on the streets of Los Angeles. Before finding Children of the Night, Doc lived in state-funded shelters where he faced anti-gay violence from other youth. He describes how any misstep—substance use, conflict, or rule-breaking—meant being immediately expelled, with no path back. With nowhere safe to go, he prostituted to survive. Doc shares a moment that stayed with him for decades: arriving at Children of the Night in the only clothes he owned—soiled after fleeing violence and a hotel plumbing failure. Expecting judgment or dismissal, he instead received new clothing, toiletries, a private room, and a warm shower. Later that night, he found his original clothes freshly laundered and folded on his bed. That moment represented something he had rarely experienced before: dignity. In this episode, Doc reflects on how Children of the Night’s privately funded model allowed staff to offer second, third, and fourth chances—meeting youth where they were and showing them they mattered. Now nearing 50, Doc shares that he knows if he reached out today, Children of the Night would still show up for him. Because once a child enters their care, they are always Dr. Lois Lee’s children. Episode Highlights Coming to Children of the Night at 16 Surviving anti-gay violence in state shelters Why state-funded shelters often allow only one chance The power of dignity in moments of crisis How private donations made long-term care possible Knowing support doesn’t expire—even decades later ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

Dayjah’s journey is a powerful example of what long-term commitment makes possible. After earning her GED through Children of the Night, Dayjah went on to college to complete an AI ethics certificate. Today, she works full-time for the county and is a devoted mother of two—focused on building a stable, opportunity-filled future for her children and breaking generational cycles. In this episode, Dayjah reflects on the impact of education, consistency, and being believed in. She also shares her reaction to learning that Children of the Night’s scholarship fund supports not only graduates, but their children and even their children’s children. Dr. Lois Lee explains why this multi-generational commitment is intentional. At Children of the Night, support does not end at adulthood or graduation. Once a child enters the program, they are family—supported for life, and across generations. Dayjah’s story is a testament to what happens when care doesn’t have an expiration date. ⸻ Episode Highlights • Earning a GED through Children of the Night • Continuing education and receiving an AI ethics certificate • Working full-time while raising two children • Learning about COTN’s multi-generational scholarship fund • Why long-term, lifelong support changes outcomes • Breaking cycles through education and stability ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenight 🕊️ X/Twitter: @LoisLee_COTN 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

Sireena’s story illustrates a reality Children of the Night has seen for decades:many youth return to the streets after rescue because there is rarely long-term support, and returning home or into foster care often does not create the safety or stability needed for recovery. Her desperate mother searched everywhere for help before finding Children of the Night. With no witness protection system available for trafficking victims or their families, Sireena’s traffickers threatened her mother directly.Dr. Lois Lee paid to have her mother safely relocated, ensuring she would not be harmed for supporting her daughter. Once safe, Sireena entered Children of the Night’s long-term care model—receiving stability, education, structure, emotional support, and scholarships that continue to benefit both her and her children today. This episode underscores a critical truth:Rescue removes a child from danger, but long-term individualized care is what prevents them from returning. Education is what transforms their future—and the future of their children. Episode Highlights • Why many rescued youth return to the streets• Why home and foster care placements often break down• The absence of a witness protection system for trafficking victims• How Children of the Night relocated Sireena’s mother for safety• The role of long-term individualized care in preventing re-exploitation• How education and scholarships changed the trajectory of Sireena’s family ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenightinc 🕊️ X/Twitter: @COTNight 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.

Part 2 of 2. In this episode pulls back the curtain on how an Oceanside-based gang recruited and controlled teenage girls — and how federal agents finally intervened. Nora was a teenager when she fell for a man who seemed protective, attentive, and devoted. That relationship quickly shifted once she became entangled with his gang. Threats escalated. The gang showed her photos of her younger siblings and warned they knew their school routes. Keeping her in the life was no longer about affection — it was about terror. Everything changed when the FBI raided a motel room where Nora was being held. After removing everyone else, a female agent stayed behind with her. The agent told Nora they had been watching her — documenting movements, collecting evidence, and building a case against the gang. Nora denied everything, clinging to the rule every trafficked child knows: you don’t snitch. Then the agent placed photos in front of her and said, “We know who you are. Are you sure you’re not Nora?” It was the moment she broke her silence. Nora was taken to Children of the Night, where she began the long process of rebuilding her life through safety, education, and unconditional care. Her case illustrates a critical truth: Gang-run trafficking is organized, scalable, and deeply violent — far more complex than single-pimp operations — and children caught inside it require specialized intervention and long-term support. ⸻ Highlights: •How gang-controlled trafficking systems operate •Why threats toward siblings and parents keep teens silent •The FBI’s role in dismantling multi-offender networks •Nora’s moment of truth with a female agent •How Children of the Night provided safety, schooling, and emotional restoration ⸻ Listen Now: 🎧 New episodes weekly on Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Podbean, and wherever you listen. Follow & Support: 🌐 Website: childrenofthenight.org 📲 Facebook & Instagram: @childrenofthenightinc 🕊️ X/Twitter: @COTNight 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this podcast to help us reach more listeners and protect vulnerable children.