In 2010, we found ourselves at a crossroads. Gianni and I were both working corporate jobs, striving to secure financial peace in preparation to start a family. Gianni’s job required four or five trips to China each year and for him, this is where it all started. One evening, after a long day of meetings and factory visits, out of respect, the factory boss planned a Chinese cultural experience for their guest. The evening included dinner, and then a special treat of Chinese karaoke or KTV (female companion included). A small parade of girls entered the room and the men were each asked to pick a girl...anyone they wanted. Don't see what you like? Ask for another group. There seemed to be an endless supply of young girls just waiting to entertain in any manner...as long as a price is negotiated. But Gianni could see it in their eyes. A cry for rescue. Immediately, Gianni was confronted with a decision. Sing a few songs and either take his escort back to his hotel room or leave his escort to the fate of the sex for sale industry. Neither were options for him.
My story began during a dream I had in 2004, long before I had ever met Gianni. In the dream, I saw myself sitting next to God in heaven. From the right side of the room, a man wheeled in an old, rickety circus cage. It looked a lot like the lion cages on those old boxes of animal crackers I used to love as a kid (I might be dating myself a bit here). God looked over at me, pointed and said, “Set Them Free.” I walked down the steps from where we were sitting and saw that the animals I had expected to be in the cage weren't animals at all. Four little girls dressed in mini skirts, fish net tights, and halter-tops looked out at me in terror. Their faces were painted with bright, tacky makeup to hide their scars. Saddened, I reached for the cage door to set them free and discovered that there was no lock! These girls were free indeed! They only needed safe passage.
Six years later, through Gianni's experience in China, we realized that there was an injustice in the world that we were brought together in marriage for. But we were at a crossroads. Our small monthly donation to our favorite NGO just wasn’t cutting it. We HAD to do more. We HAD to see rescue, healing, and justice brought to the little girl who is held captive on that dirty mattress. But as we had our own personal goals of starting a family, it was clear that our individual incomes wouldn't make a dent in the cost that is required to rescue even one girl. The pain in our hearts was greater than what our pocketbooks could supply. But we had one thing going for us. We are in business and by occupational trade know how to make, manage, and multiply money. So, with courage in our hearts and a vision in our minds, we started a non-profit organization to raise and multiply funds in order to rescue victims of human trafficking globally. We called it 'Set Them Free', the exact command I had heard in my dream.
There’s really nothing special about us. We’re probably a lot like you. Real people who are passionate about seeing children be children. We love to meet new people over a good burger. We have a good time rock crawling, hiking, and hosting BBQs in the summer with our children in tote. In the midst of it all, we live to see justice for the oppressed, especially when it’s a child. Come out and join us. If you can’t join us, shoot us an email and tell us your story.
Gianni & Betsey Vecchiarelli
My story began during a dream I had in 2004, long before I had ever met Gianni. In the dream, I saw myself sitting next to God in heaven. From the right side of the room, a man wheeled in an old, rickety circus cage. It looked a lot like the lion cages on those old boxes of animal crackers I used to love as a kid (I might be dating myself a bit here). God looked over at me, pointed and said, “Set Them Free.” I walked down the steps from where we were sitting and saw that the animals I had expected to be in the cage weren't animals at all. Four little girls dressed in mini skirts, fish net tights, and halter-tops looked out at me in terror. Their faces were painted with bright, tacky makeup to hide their scars. Saddened, I reached for the cage door to set them free and discovered that there was no lock! These girls were free indeed! They only needed safe passage.
Six years later, through Gianni's experience in China, we realized that there was an injustice in the world that we were brought together in marriage for. But we were at a crossroads. Our small monthly donation to our favorite NGO just wasn’t cutting it. We HAD to do more. We HAD to see rescue, healing, and justice brought to the little girl who is held captive on that dirty mattress. But as we had our own personal goals of starting a family, it was clear that our individual incomes wouldn't make a dent in the cost that is required to rescue even one girl. The pain in our hearts was greater than what our pocketbooks could supply. But we had one thing going for us. We are in business and by occupational trade know how to make, manage, and multiply money. So, with courage in our hearts and a vision in our minds, we started a non-profit organization to raise and multiply funds in order to rescue victims of human trafficking globally. We called it 'Set Them Free', the exact command I had heard in my dream.
There’s really nothing special about us. We’re probably a lot like you. Real people who are passionate about seeing children be children. We love to meet new people over a good burger. We have a good time rock crawling, hiking, and hosting BBQs in the summer with our children in tote. In the midst of it all, we live to see justice for the oppressed, especially when it’s a child. Come out and join us. If you can’t join us, shoot us an email and tell us your story.
Gianni & Betsey Vecchiarelli
James & Kate Dukes, Directors of the Board
James and Kate have been Colorado residents since 1980. They have been dedicated leaders in The Vineyard Churches and The Rock Church. Their passion is to see people held in bondage set free. James and Kate are board members for Set Them Free. They share the vision to set free the captives. James & Kate have four children and four grandchildren.
Mike Quigly, Director of the Board
Mike works with Perry Tool and Die in international sales, planning and manages their local manufacturing shop. He is tightly connected with the international anti-trafficking movement with close ties to Canadian non-profits combatting sexual slavery. He enjoys the outdoors with his two dogs and especially likes to get his jeep out to beautiful areas of Colorado and Utah to go hiking, biking and camping.
Tabitha Dafni, Secretary and Treasurer
Board Tabitha attended two years of Metro Denver's Master's commission leadership and ministry training, traveling internationally to work with oppressed communities. She has worked for multiple ministries in a secretarial and office management capacity. She is a wife, mother of two, and a Registered Dental Hygienist who enjoys good food and travel.