Celebrating 15 Years of Declare No More

15 years ago, we were finalizing preparations to formally launch the work of the Declare No More Foundation. Even though we had been sharing the vision, speaking at churches, and connecting to individuals, businesses, and partner organizations for months – the anticipation, the expectation, and the nervous excitement that we carried in our spirits was palpable. We knew that God was in it. We were confident that He was with us. And we were convinced that if we just stepped out in faith, God would take care of the rest. 

We often tell people we started ‘with two quarters in our back pocket and a dream’. It might sound like a catchy phrase, but it’s the truth. Jaime was working a full-time corporate job and working part-time as Campus Pastor for a local church, and I was working part-time as a waitress. We had 3 growing boys who were 14, 12, and 8 at the time and had just become licensed to be a foster family. We didn’t have donors or church partners yet to fund the work. We didn’t have immersive events to mobilize the community. We were starting at ground zero. Yet, we believed that if we gave the 5 loaves and 2 fish we did have – our time, our talent, and our treasure – God would multiply it all to reach thousands.

On July 31, 2011 at 6 PM, surrounded by 150 of our closest friends, church partners, non-profit partners, community leaders, and a passionate team of volunteers, we publicly put our stake in the ground – laying claim to the call of God that would change the trajectory of our lives and the lives of all that would be seen, reached, loved, served, and healed… forever!

In a meeting recently, we were asked a question that comes up from time to time, “Is this where you saw yourself headed 15 years ago? Did you envision the work, the scope, the reach?” The question makes sense considering the exponential growth we have seen even these past few years, that we had a target and a vision that we were laser focused on that led us to this place, but in all humility the answer is “No.” There is no way we could have ever asked for, thought of, or even imagined the rooms God would place us in and the incredible people God would bring alongside to carry the load and expand our reach.

Over 15 years we have reached hundreds of thousands of people, connecting them to care for the most vulnerable. We have seen over 7,000 individuals and families put their name on the line to foster, adopt, advocate, mentor, and serve children and families in need. We have empowered volunteers who have contributed over 25,000 volunteer hours to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of others. We have trained over 135,000 people to spot the signs of human trafficking, report suspicious activity, and fight back against the evil of human trafficking. Through our strategic partnerships and funding efforts we have expanded housing for survivors of human trafficking in Greater Tampa Bay by 400% and over 500 women have received safe housing and the mental, physical, spiritual, and relational support needed to find freedom from exploitation, breaking cycles of vulnerability and changing future generations for years to come. 

As we look to the future, we stand today filled with as much anticipation, expectation, and nervous excitement as we did the day we put our stake in the ground to lay hold of the promises God had planted in our hearts. We believe we will see millions moved to action, in our community, throughout our state, and across the United States. What will that look like? Will we continue to press on the gas pedal to solve the housing crisis for victims of human trafficking? Yes. Will we continue to raise awareness to connect people to tangible opportunities to care for struggling families, orphans and at-risk children and victims of human trafficking? Yes. Will we continue to create opportunities for individuals, businesses, churches, and civic organizations to serve the most vulnerable in practical ways? Yes. Will we continue to collaborate to create more effective and long lasting impact? Yes we will. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that God’s plans and purposes are so much bigger than what our finite minds can comprehend. His ways are higher, His thoughts are higher, and where He leads we will follow. 

So like we did 15 years ago, we offer what we have – our time, our talent, our treasure – and we freely give it to God, once again asking that He will bless the work of our hands, multiply it, and do what only He can do! 

In His Name and For His Glory,

Jaime and Tami Kent

Co-Founders of Declare No More Foundation