The Power of a Rose

Huddled in the back room as I look around the group of women gathered, her eyes catch mine. I watch her open the gifts we’ve brought to share. It’s February and for Valentine’s Day we’ve got long-stemmed beautiful roses to put in the hands of every woman we meet. Holding the rose in her hands, Jewel reads the tag slowly as if she is soaking in every single word. They mean something to her, our being here means something to her, it means something to all of them, even the ones who don’t show it. After praying, we break off for individual conversations and she makes her way over to me. ‘Thank you for reminding us that we’re worth something. I know that being here, in this place, doing what I’m doing, is something I should be ashamed of, and I’m not proud of it. I really do want to leave but I don’t know how with my current circumstances.’ We chat for a bit more and she assures me that she will carry these words with her—that she will teach them to her son so his life can look different. She’s a good Mama, she’s just trapped and needs a way out. I leave with her name and her words seared in my mind’s eye. She is the reason I come. She is the reason so many of us keep coming, month after month, year after year, to remind them that they are seen, valued, and loved. 

Did you know that Tampa has more strip clubs per capita than any other city in the nation? It’s hard to believe but it’s true. It’s the ugly truth that hides behind the neon lights and the facade of glamour that Hollywood and the entertainment industry has led us to believe for years. If we envision them as Julia Roberts with a contagious laugh juggling the fine dining experience with Richard Gere then it’s somehow not that bad after all. If we convince ourselves that it’s the oldest profession in the world, and that they’ve chosen this then we’re off the hook, no longer responsible. But that’s not the truth. Statistics show us that 70% of female trafficking victims are exploited in the commercial sex industry through avenues like pornography, dancing in clubs, escort services, and illicit massage and spa businesses that serve as brothels. I’ve even heard that over 90% of women working in the industry are not there by choice. That’s 9 out of 10. 

That’s a significant number and it’s what led Barbara Neu, a passionate pint-sized powerhouse, to be the first woman minister ever to step foot in a strip club in Tampa close to 20 years ago. She was compelled by God to bring His light and love into those dark places where many felt lost, abandoned, alone, and afraid. Just a few years later a local community champion, Dotti Groover-Skipper, would join her on the mission. Through Dotti’s influence, helping to raise awareness, elevate the need, and invite others to venture out to meet these vulnerable women where they are, the number of leaders and organizations doubled and then tripled. Today over 15 groups across Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hernando counties go out monthly to show these women that they are seen, valued, and loved and to help them find freedom. 

From the time The No More Foundation launched in 2011, our vision has remained laser-focused – we exist to connect people to care for the most vulnerable in our communities. So in 2014 when a local organization approached us about connecting them with a florist for roses for a Valentine’s outreach, my response was as follows… “I was wondering if we could make it more personal.  Honestly, I feel like people want to help with these things, but don’t know how.  What would you think about me putting a message out on Facebook asking people to donate a rose?  I think some of our partner churches might donate as well.  Any thoughts?” That conversation was the beginning of what has become one of our most well-attended and deeply intentional outreaches every year — Give A Rose! 

That first year we sent 60 roses out. By 2017 we were sending 300+. And this year we sent out just shy of 1,000 roses. Each rose is a gift so much more valuable than a flower whose beauty will fade with time. Each rose gives the gift of being seen, an opportunity for a powerful life-changing conversation, and a chance for these vulnerable women to break free and find freedom, hope, healing, and a future. We’ve spent the past few weeks interviewing our friends and partners whose selfless dedication has made moments like this possible. We couldn’t do it without them, so we wanted to let them share moments from this year that stood out and the reason why this work is so vitally important. 

Tara Walker

“God gave me a second chance and now I get to do good because my past doesn’t define me. Every time I go into the clubs and I get to pray with someone, a piece of my heart comes back together. I know if God did it for me, He can do it for them too!”

Kristin Taylor

“Our volunteers have had such fantastic experiences when delivering the roses. When the women see them you can see the excitement in their faces. They light up. You never know who you’re going to meet and whose life you’ll change with one conversation.”

Stacy Hester

“A rose can really change the heart of a broken person. Hearing the women respond with surprise as they say, “This is for me?” At that moment there was such a beautiful exchange. So much shame and unworthiness and the feeling of being unlovable fades away.” 

The 2025 Give A Rose Outreach was only made possible because of generous gifts received from countless individuals, churches, and businesses. We are so thankful for the partnership with Carrollwood Florist. Larry and his team have been with us from the beginning and we are honored to have their support. We are also thankful for Office Pride who stepped in this year to underwrite the outreach, ensuring that every woman could receive a rose! And of course, we can’t say thank you enough to North Pointe Church for the past 5 years they have opened their doors to provide a place for us to prepare the roses. It takes all of us to accomplish this work and we are humbled to be a part of such a caring community! 

If you are reading this and you are thinking, “What can I do?” Here are a couple of ways that you can get involved now:

01 — Sign up to serve at an upcoming outreach! You can email our Outreach Director, Julie Protokowicz at julie@declarenomore.com or click here to see upcoming volunteer opportunities. 

02 — Sign up to sponsor an outreach! Do you own a business or work for a business that might want to financially support opportunities like this? You can email Bethany Mistretta, Development Director for The No More Foundation at bethany@declarenomore.com for more details.

Regardless of what you do, where you give your time, or your influence, know this — the world needs YOU! You can be a part of the story God is writing in someone else’s life. You could be the very instrument that can bring life, hope, and healing to the world around you. The best part is, you don’t have to wait! You can join the movement and declare, “No More” today!