You have the power to make real change

Inspired by her journey with addiction, Carly wanted to help women that were caught in the viscous cycle of addiction, homelessness, and human trafficking on the streets of Columbus, Ohio so she started the charity REACHING FOR THE SHINING STARZ.

January 24, 2012 is Carly's sobriety date. On that day, she entered the Amethyst Treatment Center to begin her recovery from an alcohol and drug addiction. During her recovery time in treatment, Carly learned about CATCH court, human trafficking, and other women caught on the streets through AA, her treatment center, and observing women being sex trafficked. Carly began thinking about ways she could reach out, inspire, and help these women, when one day it occurred to her that hygiene bags with their basic needs, was the direction she wanted to go. She began working with people at Amethyst, a local church, and other caring people to get donations of items such as: travel size soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, tooth paste, and tooth brushed, and distribute the hygiene bags.

The small charity that Carly began in 2014 has grown into a nonprofit organization that does street outreach on Sullivant Avenue and in the Linden area, provides survivors leadership and community service opportunities, and does awareness & prevention presentations to the community. 

Carly is an inspiration to anyone that wants to turn their trials into triumphs!