faceoftears

Endorsements

“Chong Kim is a passionate and tireless advocate for victims of trafficking. She continues to be an inspiration!” -Angie Hunt, Housing Program Director, HOPE of East Central Illinois worked with Chong at Self-employed Speaker/Writer

“I was drawn to Chong Kim a few years back when I read one of her published poems “Imagine”. “Imagine, existing in a parallel world, the converse/ of the one in which you live.” Someone who could express in poetry the harrowing suffering and humiliations she endured at the hands of ruthless traffickers deserved my deepest respect.  For the past 15 years, I’ve had the honor to work with numerous young women around the world that have been subject to sexual slavery. When I met Chong I realized that not only was I meeting an empowered survivor, but someone who had gone a step ahead. Chong has become an advocate not only for those who are still captive, for other survivors that are still struggling to take control of their lives. Chong’s poem closes with this verse, “Imagine, the fragile diagnosis which says/ that one cannot be a champion athlete;/ the impaired legs of a once hopeful runner…”. Yet, I do not have to imagine, I can see, the unabated determination of Chong’s spirit pushing her fragile legs and making her freedom’s champion. -Chelo Alvarez-Stehle, Documentary & Media Producer of SOSDocumentary.org

“Chong Kim serves as a powerful example of a person who has turned pain into a way to make a difference in the lives of countless others. Her story deserves to be told on behalf of the many women and children unable to speak out so that we can all help stand against the modern scourge of human trafficking.” -Dillon Burroughs, best-selling author and activist (dillonburroughs.org)

“Ms. Chong is does everything with excellence. She is a motivator and high achiever. She is creative and innovative. She has vision and works hard to bring them to life.”May 8, 2012; Pilar Arsenec, Legal Administrative Assistant to Partner, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP worked indirectly for Chong at Self-employed Speaker/Writer

“I had the pleasure of working with Chong Kim through OATH (Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans). Chong is a staunch and vocal advocate for victims of exploitation and dynamic and raw public speaker on the issues which affect those in human trafficking and the need for resources to be made available to survivors.”May 2, 2012; Deirdre W. Flynn, Freelance Writer and Speaker, http://www.deirdreflynn.com worked with Chong at Self-employed Speaker/Writer

“Chong is a compelling speaker, and her story helped our target audience, truckers, better understand human trafficking and how they can make a difference in both recognizing it and fighting it. She does an excellent job taking a tough subject and fully humanizing it.” -Kylla Leeburg, Social Media Coordinator for Truckers Against Trafficking

“I had the opportunity to meet and passionately listen to an extremely inspirational true story about heroism, from Chong Kim at the 2011 Who’s Who in Asian American Communities – Leaders & Legends Awards. I was one of the presenters and she was the morning Key Note. Needless to state that her hair-raising life-story about her continuous fight, both; with the authorities that were intended to protect her and the abductors who bought her over for child human trafficking purposes, received a standing ovation. Today she is an activist, advocating and making others aware of the rapid growth of human trafficking in the USA. Kudos to Chong Kim for her tremendous inner strength and compassion to deal with such a horrific reality and for her courage to share. She is a terrific speaker!” – Viren MayaniInterim Associate Director (Fin Control & Reporting) Auxiliary Services at Kennesaw State University

“Chong Kim is a passionate, strong-willed and talented survivor advocate. She is a hard-working self-starter who invariably understands the complexity of the anti-trafficking movement. Chong uses her story of survival to advocate for others and consistently produces highly thoughtful and inspirational materials such as awareness messages, speeches, and her latest film Eden, which I have no doubt will go far.” – Aashika Damodar, Executive Director at Survivors Connect

“I highly recommend Chong Kim. I’ve personally heard her story about being trafficking into the sex trafficking horror. She is a phenomenal speaker about this issue and is making a difference to bring this dark secret to light. Human trafficking will soon surpass drug trafficking and this is not an overseas issue. It’s happening in the U.S. Invite Chong Kim to be a speaker on human trafficking, you will not be disappointed.” -Michelle Butler, Senior Director, Momentis of Just Energy

I met Chong Kim through a film I was involved with that is based on her life story. She was a victim of human trafficking. This is a crucial story that is going on right here in North America. So often people seem to think it is something that happens across the ocean and therefore somewhat removed. I get notices of missing women, and sometimes young men gone missing, on a regular basis on my facebook page. How many of these are human trafficking? As long as we ignore the possibility, the longer it will take for these young people to get help. And the longer human traffickers, or sex traffickers will have Impunity. She can illustrate the world of someone taken into it. She can be a warning bell for how these people operate. Please consider her seriously as a resource to bringing this horrific world out of the shadows where it is protected. Thank you, -Tantoo Cardinal, actress (Legends of the fall, Dancing with Wolves & Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman)

“Chong Kim is a tireless advocate of anti-human trafficking/child sex exploitation. She volunteers her time traveling different countries to save lives of innocent women/men and children. Although she is constantly on the go, she never fails to stop and talk to anyone who wants to know more about the issue with the utmost warmth, directness and passion. We all know her voice will be heard loudly and clearly to every soul in the world soon and forever!” -Alexis Rhee, Actress (Crash, Because I said so)

“I would encourage everyone to make the effort in getting to know Chong Kim and her incredibly sad story of how she overcame the tragedy of being a victim of human trafficking. Chong is brutally honest and willing to share her demeaning story in order to help those who are currently caught-up in the racket – or prevent this from happening to other women. It’s hard to believe that this vile sort of life is happening in our own backyards; hard to believe that so many of our Asian Sisters are forced into this racket. I would ask that you embrace Chong and her mission and support her in getting this message out to as many people as possible. Let’s join Chong Kim in wiping out human trafficking!” -Sachi Koto, Founder of The Who’s Who in Asian American Communities Alliance Foundation

“Chong’s accomplishments speak louder than my words ever could. Anyone who co-produces her own film is definitely someone worth paying attention to. Beyond that she has been a constant leader inspiring people from all walks of life to get involved in the fight against Human Trafficking. Her words, actions and encouragement demonstrate the highest ideals of servant-leadership.” -Edward Drain, Student at Strayer University

“I had the pleasure of introducing Chong at the Who’s Who in Asian-American Communities (WWAAC) Alliance Conference in October of 2011. Chong was a keynote speaker of the conference and gave a very powerful presentation to the audience. Her unique story of overcoming adversity is inspirational and should be told to more people to raise awareness, especially for people who may have gone through or currently going through similar challenges.” Service Category: Speaker Year first hired: 2011 Top Qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative -Yoshi Domoto, Executive Director at The Japan-America Society of Georgia, Inc

“I can highly recommend Chong as a person of integrity and passion about making things right. Chong is a dynamic public speaker and I have heard her speak numerous times and her story of hope inspire audiences young and old alike. I highly recommend Chong for media interviews, speaking engagements and consulting gigs. She will inspire your audience!” -Michael D. Butler Sr., Owner at M3 TV

“Chong is a very talented Speaker, Writer and Activist fighting to end the atrocities of Human Trafficking. I know Chong on a personal level and she is genuinely caring and interested in making a difference by bringing awareness and education.” -Kiera Samantha, Public Figure

“I have seen Chong Kim share her powerful story of Human Trafficking at a conference. Her story is profoundly moving and helped me to understand on a visceral level why we all need to get involved in ending modern day slavery in society. Chong Kim puts a name and a face to human trafficking that can’t be ignored. Her words will move every heart. In the end, it was a friend of hers from her church home who came to rescue her. Her message belongs in our churches, homes, schools, conferences, and every venue possible so that we can all learn what human trafficking is and move forward together to end it.” -John D. Foubert, Ph.D.

“Chong is such an amazing, encouraging and brilliant woman. She inspires trafficking survivors every day. I can’t wait to see Eden. I know it will have great impact worldwide — just like Chong. She’s the kind of person who makes you smile and feel thankful when you think of her.” -Stella Marr, Survivors Connect