2/12/2013 – OKC, OK (as reported on KWTV News9 by Abby Broyles) – Volunteers are working to help young women get off the streets of Oklahoma City and get a fresh start. The group is opening a clothing closet for victims of addiction, prostitution and human trafficking.
It’s called Carina’s Closet, named in honor of Carina Saunders, the teenager who was brutally murdered in 2011.
While Carina’s family waits for justice in their daughter’s murder, volunteers behind this new outreach program are hoping to turn tragedy into a fresh start for other young women.
Debbie Ashford followed the disappearance and murder of Carina Saunders on the news.
“It was just horrific to me, to realize a young girl like that, such a beautiful girl, could lose her life in such a way,” Ashford said.
Saunders’ dismembered body was found behind a Bethany grocery store in 2011. Investigators initially said she might have been a victim of human trafficking.
“It just touched me in such a way,” said Ashford. “I wanted to honor her in some way.”
So she started Carina’s Closet at a church in northwest Oklahoma City.
It’s a free clothing closet for young women in need, organized by the non-profit No Boundaries International.
“When a girl leaves a horrific situation, she’s got an attachment to, a dependency on the trafficker, on the person who’s controlling her. So when she comes off the street she may not even have the basic needs met such as food and clothing,” No Boundaries President Lori Basey said.
They’re also giving away free toys because a lot of the young women have children. Their goal is that the things on their shelves and the mission behind it all will give hope to those who need it most.
“They need a way to get their dignity back,” said Ashford. “They need a way to feel good about themselves, and to start their life over again.”
Carina Saunders went to Pre-K at the church where the closet is named in her honor.
The two men charged with her murder will be in court for a preliminary hearing in May.
Carina’s Closet opens on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
February 19, 2013 at 1:28 pm
I consider prostitues criminals not just victims. Is it really a good idea to name stores after them?
February 21, 2013 at 8:26 am
Then you sir are part of the problem on at least two levels….
1.) When you place all women involved in prostitution under the same stereotype (willing participants in a criminal activity) then you do a disservice and enable the abuse of those trapped in prostitution unwillingly.
2.) When people draw conclusions without doing even an ounce of self-education they promote myth and put their own ignorance on public display. Carina Saunders has never once been accused of being a criminal, let alone a prostitute. It is however alleged that a drug and prostitution ring murdered her to intimidate those within their organization. There has never been any direct link alleged between Carina and the criminal enterprise. She appears to be a random victim.
February 27, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Mike is a troll. Just ban him.
No news on the update on charges dismissed in the Carina Saunders case?
March 7, 2013 at 9:54 am
its so sad how people can stereo type prostitutes. there are many reason why these women do what they do. some of them are literally forced into it, some of them have major drug problems and when i started doing it it was to support my daughter in the way she should be supported because trust and believe mcdonalds dosent pay enough to support a child and the drugs are just a part of it to make it through sleeping with strange perverted men. I have been soooooo blessed to have family and friends that cared enough about me to help me get off the streets, drugs and prostitution business. some of these women do not have that luxury and i think instead of throwing them in jail and just letting them out with no kind of help or counseling it will continue to be a vicious cycle that will never end. its soooo sad and my heart goes out to all of them. some of them die a horrific death and i dont think that a person prostitute or not deserve a death like that. I have found god and worship and pray to him for these lost souls and trust and believe if i had the money to help them i would but i now work a 9-5 job and i just dont have any extra money. If anyone has any ideas that would help please let me know i would do anything to help get them off the streets as i was given the chance to save my life and would like to see them have the opertunity to do the same. God Bless all of you
March 7, 2013 at 10:09 am
and this is to brian bates, I know that we have had our fallen outs and i truly want to apologize for being such a witch to you. I was not in my right mind while i was out there doing drugs i am sorry for all the mean things i said. i know that you have helped a few of the girls escape death and im truly grateful for that. I just wanted you to know that after i left robinson I met a wonderful man and we are plannint on getting married in june and i couldent be happier he treats me like a queen and dosent hold my past against me. I also wanted to tell you that if you come up with ideas to get more women off the streets for a better life i will eo anything i can to assist you please feel free to email at the email address i provided in this post. thanks god bless you and your family
March 20, 2013 at 9:38 am
How odd – You’ll post ‘Great Job’ and such here, but post the exact opposite in the comment section of my YouTube videos.