The latest episode of the Bluebonnet News Headlines and Heartlines podcast shines a light on Universal Agape Love, a Dayton-based nonprofit founded by Stephanie Montgomery and Wendy Soliday. With a mission to empower people and strengthen communities through service, education and support, the organization has become a cornerstone for outreach in Liberty County.
From food distribution and counseling to job readiness training, mentorship and veteran support, Montgomery and Soliday have built programs that touch nearly every corner of the county. Their guiding principle is found in the word agape (pronounced ah-GAH-pay), a Greek word meaning spiritual love. Both women say their work is simply about sharing God’s love, which they describe as the greatest love of all.
One of the most pressing areas of need they address is domestic violence and human trafficking intervention. Soliday explained that human trafficking is far more complex than many realize, saying that often people think of sex, prostitution or border crossings, but it can also involve labor taken from undocumented immigrants and forcing them to work in shops. What they have been seeing lately is a rise in the numbers of local people who have unfortunately been caught up in these situations. It is not just labor, not just sex, and not just children, but affects all ages, all demographics — both male and female.
Montgomery said their programs are based on the needs of the community, and unfortunately that sometimes includes providing mental health assistance for suicidal teens. She said young teenagers have been doing a lot of cutting. Cutting refers to a form of self-harm where a person deliberately makes cuts or scratches on their body, often as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. It is a dangerous behavior that can lead to serious physical and emotional consequences, and organizations like Universal Agape Love are working to provide the support and resources that young people need.
Last year alone, Universal Agape Love provided close to 3,000 counseling sessions with children and another 1,800 sessions with adults. Montgomery explained that Liberty County is currently seen as a green zone for human trafficking because it is an easy target. Her goal is to turn that reputation around so that the county becomes a red zone — a place where the community, law enforcement and local organizations work together to discourage traffickers from operating here. She said the key is raising awareness.
“We want people to learn the information, know how to spot a possible victim and reach out and call someone to report it. When traffickers see that Dayton is standing proud, that Liberty is standing proud, when they see that people are knowledgeable, that is going to turn this into a red district. We want people to know — not our town, not our cities, not our children, not our family members. We are here and this is red,” Montgomery said.
Universal Agape Love relies heavily on donations and support from the community, including local businesses and churches. To better serve its mission, the organization recently moved into an expanded office space at 104 W. Clayton in Dayton, next to Western Auto. To continue its work, the nonprofit is hosting a major fundraiser on Saturday, September 27, at the Dayton Community Center. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes guest speakers, a barbecue meal, desserts, silent and live auctions, dancing and an open bar with free drinks. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online at universalagapelove.org, by calling 936-262-7800, or by emailing the organization directly.
The full episode of this episode of Bluebonnet News Headlines and Heartlines will air on KILE 94.9 FM Radio on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and Friday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. Listeners can also stream the show at kilefm.com or on the Bluebonnet News Spotify page: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Gp43wcv5VxlDDxOtJFDMb?si=amNhEDdJSAWNRI80XGi_xA
Be sure to tune in to next week’s show, which will feature Jason Bowen, the new Texas AgriLife agent for Liberty County. He will be sharing updates about 4-H, upcoming events, and the programs he is focusing on as he steps into his new role.