2026 Flourishing Gala

Diamond Collective was formed in January 2024 to fill a critical gap in long-term, healthy support for women and children impacted by human trafficking in the Greater Sacramento area and beyond. As someone who lived through exploitation and rebuilt her life, our founder, Ashley Faison-Maddox knows firsthand that “getting out” is not the same as being truly supported long-term. Your support directly funds choice-based restorative experiences that help women and children build safe connection, positive memories, and a renewed sense of possibility without pressure, judgment, or transactional motives. Examples include horseback riding, kayaking, movie nights, go-kart racing, and spa days.

Ashley Faison-Maddox is a mother to a 16-year-old who plays football and looks forward to vacations at an age when she was trafficked for commercial sex, less than 10 miles from where they currently live. Her son’s life changed hers for the better, and she is grateful he will never be a participant in or witness to the exploitation she was once entrenched in. But there are often generational effects of trafficking. Families fall victim to this dangerous mirage.

By society’s standard, Ashley was born into poverty. Sex buyers and traffickers are attuned to the vulnerabilities Ashley had, and they preyed on her. The commercial sex trade had her coerced and trapped in a facade for years. When she escaped that life, she was left with shame, trauma, debt, and no social capital. Ashley wanted to feel confident but lacked stability and a formal education. She wanted friends to connect with but knew nothing about healthy boundaries. She wanted community but had no trust in the government or systems. Freedom from her trafficker didn’t give her freedom from the trauma that she held inside of her. When many looked the other way, she noticed that some stayed and fought for connection, taught her healthy coping strategies, pointed her to therapy, and invited her into community. So many women don’t have this, but that’s where Diamond Collective comes in. 

Diamond Collective is here to fill a gap. We partner with residential housing programs, shelters, and organizations serving women and children who have a journey similar to Ashley’s. Together, we’re helping disrupt isolation, restore hope, and strengthen protective factors that reduce vulnerability over time.

We are inviting you to join us at our Flourishing Gala. We’d also love to share our sponsorship opportunities and tailor a partnership that aligns with your community impact goals.

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