Our story

After witnessing the horrors of sex trafficking in Ukraine and Kenya, Yves and Jody Masquefa return to Orange County only to discover human trafficking was happening within the community. Consultations with local law enforcement and victim support organizations revealed a crucial missing link to lasting recovery: comprehensive training and long-term, employment within a safe and trauma informed workplace.

Recognizing the true impact relies on early intervention, Yves and Jody expanded their mission to focus on prevention. Drawing in on more than 40 years of restaurant industry expertise, they founded Kherut to provide paid workforce development to women who are facing extreme life circumstances. Today, Kherut serves survivors of trafficking domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, and young women who have aged out of foster care, which are the exact populations that are targeted by trafficking. By offering stable employment free of judgment. Kherut powers vulnerable women to rebuild their lives and secure a hopeful future