Not Abandoned | Social Work for Trafficked Women

About Us

The Not Abandoned team labors to empower women who have been exploited. It is not our drive to "rescue" her from trafficking. Rather, our collective goal is to provide her the tools and unyielding support necessary to regain and maintain her freedom. We hold the deep conviction that no matter how messy, complex, or slow her recovery process is, that she can and will come to know, she is not abandoned.

The Not Abandoned Team: Better Together

Jeff McKinley

Founder & Co-Director

Jeff was born in Spain and remained there as he worked to develop Moroccan programs for under-developed children and their families and also plant churches with social projects for over 12 years. He came to the US and spent 14 years as the mission pastor of a large church where Jeff developed numerous global projects addressing the issues of poverty, social injustice, exploited communities, and economic sustainability in underdeveloped countries. He has a MA in Theology and Leadership Development and two children and four grandchildren with his lovely wife Aurora.

Alexis Miller

Not Abandoned Co-Director

Alex brings has over 14 years of experience working with exploited persons in various domestic and international contexts. She has a BA in Organizational Management and a Master's in Community Development, with a thesis focus on the sustainability of the anit-trafficking movement. Alex oversees communications, program development, and training for the organization and their partners. Alex also brings unique insight to the Not Abandoned team through her own experience surviving exploitation.

Ying Fulton

Pattaya Freedom Center Co-Director

Ying is a national of Thailand and has a Master's in Counseling Psychology, with a thesis focus on trafficking prevention in rural areas. Ying overseas the trauma care and counseling programs, business development, and staff oversight. She is additionally a sought-after translator for government and non-profit work. Ying's high energy does well to keep up with her two smart, young boys alongside her husband Stephen.

Stephen Fulton

Pattaya Freedom Center Co-Director

Stephen was born and raised in Canada where he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, becoming a pilot at a young age. He has lived in Thailand for over 9 years where he also obtained his certification in ESOL. Stephen is a teacher, trainer, curriculum developer, and tracks program effectiveness for our Freedom Center. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree and raising two stellar young boys with his wife, Ying.

Wanaporn Phanthasri

Korat Freedom Center Director

Wanaporn is a national of Thailand. She implements prevention programs in schools and the community in a region well known for 85% of young women being recruited for the sex industry for all of Thailand. Her work with youth and children at risk, along with their families, is foundational in preventing them from being recruited and exploited. She also oversees the community reintegration of women recovering from exploitation, working with them to connect healthily back with their families. Wanaporn is a wife and caring mother of two daughters.

"Ma" Pranom Keawmetee

Pattaya Hospitality Manager

Pranom manages student relationships, community creation, and keeps the center feeling like a safe space for our students. Pranom has worked with trafficking communities for 15 years where her wealth of experience and knowledge is invaluable to the weekly work of Not Abandoned in Pattaya. Pranom also brings a special linguistic skill to the team by being fluent in rural regional Thai dialects that many of our students speak. She is a widower, mother of one adult daughter, and grandmother of two boys.

Nisarat "Pop" Warajin

Pattaya Outreach Manager

Pop is a national of Thailand oversees the regular outreach to women exploited in Pattaya. She is also an associate trainer and oversees Thai and international volunteer teams as they engage to support the center. Pop is a sought after translator, health instructor, and talented musician for her church and conferences. She is a proud mother of two vivacious and loving children at currently completing her university education.

Care Phanthasri

Korat Freedom Center Staff

Before Care officially joined our staff she was a volunteer of four years with our work protecting children and youth from the risks of human trafficking, as well as, help the special skills and bakery trainings for children. She has a degree in International Development from the School of Social Innovation at Mae Fah Luang University. Care brings a variety of sociological training as well as research experience to our Korat center and we are thrilled to have her passions on our team.

Nora Suarez

Algeciras Freedom Center Director

Nora is originally from Venezuela where she was successful business leader and has worked to build social service projects for women, children, and vulnerable families in Morocco for 16+ years where she became fluent in Arabic. She has now resided in Algeciras, Spain for 4 years.

Minerva

Algeciras Freedom Center

Minerva has lived in Algeciras for the past 3+ years since moving here from Venezuela where she worked as a graphic designer. Minerva is actively learning Arabic to better service the women at our center and is a dynamic relational leader in the community.