Ten years ago, Cheyenne was living on the streets in Minneapolis and experiencing sexual exploitation. That’s when she heard from another survivor about a place where she could do her laundry for free: a drop-in center run by The Family Partnership’s anti-sex trafficking program, PRIDE.
A Place to Rest and Begin Again
At first, Cheyenne was hesitant to visit PRIDE’s drop-in center because there weren’t many safe spaces available to her. But she took a chance and visited. Our drop-in center soon became a place Cheyenne could visit on cold days.
She could get a warm meal, take a hot shower, or get some much-needed sleep. Most importantly, she found a place with us where she could meet her basic needs without judgment.
Cheyenne always knew she wanted something different for herself. After some time, she was ready to make a change. Her ultimate goal was clear: regain custody of her son.
She knew the first step in her journey was to get sober. Cheyenne started meeting with a PRIDE case manager to set goals and develop new coping skills. As she built more stability, she was able to get sober and exit the life of trading sex.
Cheyenne always knew she wanted something different for herself…Her ultimate goal was clear: regain custody of her son.
Finding Support, Every Step of the Way
For years, Cheyenne stayed focused on her goals. She took one step after another toward the life she envisioned for herself and her son.
Over time, she tapped into additional resources from The Family Partnership for support along the way. Cheyenne saw a mental health therapist to address her past trauma and worked with a parenting educator to develop self-regulation and parenting skills.
As Cheyenne pursued her own healing, she became more present for her son, which strengthened their relationship.
As Cheyenne pursued her own healing, she became more present for her son, which strengthened their relationship.
Mother and Son Reunited
This year, Cheyenne accomplished her ultimate goal: she obtained full custody of her son.
Her case manager, who had walked alongside Cheyenne for years, had the privilege of witnessing this life-changing moment when Cheyenne’s family was legally reunified.
Thanks to Cheyenne’s persistence and self-advocacy, she is now parenting her son full time in their new home. Cheyenne will be there for all the important moments, from reading books at bedtime to joyful birthday parties. Next year, when he enters kindergarten, Cheyenne will be there to take first-day-of-school photos and walk him into his classroom.
Cheyenne’s relentless pursuit of healing has built a better future for her family.
More Families Are Seeking This Support
Cheyenne’s story is powerful, but she is not the only one. Right here in Minneapolis, new people come to our drop-in center every week as the first step toward a better day or a better life.
The Family Partnership’s anti-sex trafficking program, PRIDE (Promoting Recovery, Independence, Dignity and Equality), provides support services to sexually exploited adults, youth, and their families so they can live a life free of exploitation and abuse and move toward self-sufficiency.
This work—and our ability to walk alongside hundreds of survivors each year—is made possible in part through the generosity of community members who believe in healing and hope.
With the right support and resources, survivors of sexual exploitation can take steps toward long-term healing and brighter futures for their families—just like Cheyenne did.
Learn more about PRIDE’s offerings, history and partnerships here.
The Family Partnership is excited to welcome Emily Larson as the agency’s next President and CEO beginning July 1. Emily is a seasoned and trusted executive leader with clear values and tenacious dedication to families and community. Emily has two decades of experience setting long term vision, building high-impact teams, and establishing actionable steps to make meaningful change.
Most recently, Emily served as mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, where she managed complex budgets, fundraised millions of dollars for city improvements, and built deep relationships with stakeholders to coalesce around shared goals. Twice elected, she championed policies to support residents and improve the well-being of the community.
Emily is a Twin Cities native who started her career in social work. She credits her family as the origin of her passion for equity. “I grew up in St. Paul with a family of people who were doggedly justice minded. My aunty worked at TFP back when it was Family & Children Services. So, my first interaction with the organization was providing childcare for family meetings that my aunt facilitated.” Later, in Emily’s 12 years as a social worker, she partnered with families who had low or no income, who were experiencing housing instability, and who were navigating mental and chemical health issues.
Emily cites these experiences in direct service as her motivation for addressing systemic injustice at a larger scale. She pursued policy development, legislative advocacy, and organizational leadership as “preventative medicine” for the economic and racial injustices that impact families. She sought public office to promote housing justice and job cultivation, among many other social supports and strategies. Her goal in public office was to amplify the voices that are “underappreciated, undervalued, and pushed to the margin.”
“Emily has the ideal combination of operational expertise to lead TFP through the issues we face and she’s a visionary who can take TFP to great heights.”
Nima Desai, The Family Partnership Board Chair and Search Committee Member
TFP, like many nonprofits, faces an unpredictable political and financial landscape. Nima Desai, Board Chair and Search Committee member said, “Emily has the ideal combination of operational expertise to lead TFP through the issues we face and she’s a visionary who can take TFP to great heights.” We are grateful to CohenTaylor Executive Search Services for recruiting Emily and guiding the board through the search process. Emily has the experience, persistence, and grounded optimism necessary to stabilize TFP during this challenging time. When asked about this next chapter, Emily said, “TFP is about building power with families, and it has a great reputation in this community. This work needs to continue. There are not many other safety nets for families. The stakes are high. So, let’s get to work.”
“This work needs to continue. There are not many other safety nets for families. The stakes are high. So, let’s get to work.”
Emily Larson, New President and CEO of The Family Partnership
Emily Larson has 12 years of experience in public service, first as Duluth City Councilor & Duluth Economic Development Authority Commissioner, then as Duluth Mayor. She also has 8 years of experience as a non-profit consultant and 12 years of experience as a social worker & emergency outreach worker. Emily’s extensive board service includes local organizations like YWCA, Center City Housing, and Arrowhead Regional Development Commission. She has participated at a State level in the Governor’s Housing Task Force, Young Women’s Initiative of MN, MN Mayors Together and regionally and nationally with Great Lakes and St Lawrence Seaway Initiative Cities, SeaGrant, Climate Action Municipalities, National League of Cities, and Energy, Environment and Natural Resources.
Emily graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work from the College of St. Scholastica and later earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She is married to Doug Zaun and together they have two sons. In taking on this new role, Emily and Doug will now split their time between Minneapolis and Duluth. In addition to her professional work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, trail running, mountain biking, and rock climbing. She loves reading, tending to her many plants, talking to her sister on the phone, and spending time with her beloved family.
Read the Star Tribune CEO announcement here.
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