“Our heartbeat is making sure women have their rightful place, making sure they’re safe enough to dream, making sure their voice is heard, and making sure they’re told that they matter and that they’re valuable.”
New Creation VA is not just a store, but an organization working to fight human trafficking through community, education, and job creation. I had the opportunity to sit down with Sabrina Dorman-Andrew, the co-founder and executive director, to learn how everything started and what their mission is all about.
How did New Creation begin?
Sabrina explained that it started in a very simple way. She and her husband, Steven Andrew, co-founder and warehouse manager, were working with women in Uganda who were survivors of sex trafficking. These women were making paper bead jewelry but did not have a way to sell it.
They asked, “What can we do that would be helpful for your organization?” The women explained they had no market, so Sabrina and Steven began selling the beads and sending the money back to Uganda.
What began at their dining room table, inviting women to shop and talk about human trafficking, has grown into something much bigger. Today, New Creation works with over 200 organizations around the world, but growth was never the goal. Instead, it was about responding to what was needed and involving the community.
At what point did you realize that this could be something bigger?
“I never thought that it would be anything bigger… we wanted to be obedient to what we felt like we could do in the moment.”
Sabrina explained there was never a defining moment. Instead, she focused on what she could do at the time and allowed it to grow through community support.
Why this specific location?
One of the most powerful parts of the conversation was hearing about the building itself. The store used to be an adult shop that was later shut down after being involved in criminal activity.
Sabrina stated, “Hard, horrific things happened here.” She went on to explain that she “thought if we could get a hold of this property and use it for good and invite the community to reclaim something that was really dark and really harmful.”
She added, “Some people are like, isn’t it ironic? It wasn’t irony. We were very specifically wanting this property because of what it was and to be able to send a different message.”
Instead of avoiding that history, she wanted to transform it into something meaningful.
What does the shop represent?
Sabrina explained, “Our shop is a mission point, but it’s also a connector to the community.” She also described it as “a job creation mechanism,” focused on creating opportunities for people coming out of or who are vulnerable to trafficking.
What are some of the biggest challenges survivors face?
Sabrina explained that one of the hardest parts is rebuilding trust and finding safe community. She also highlighted the lack of housing and job opportunities, especially for survivors with criminal records or gaps in their work history.
These barriers make it difficult to start over, which is why New Creation focuses on creating opportunities.
What has been the most meaningful moment for you?
Sabrina shared a story about a survivor she had worked with who was able to overcome addiction, rebuild her life, and become a mother.
She explained that even though human trafficking is such a large issue, moments like that remind her why the work matters. She said, “It doesn’t feel like we’re doing enough sometimes. The work never ends, we’re never going to arrive, and then I think of her, and I’m like, you know what? If my entire life amounts to just being able to help change hers, that’s enough.”
Her response shows how even one life can make a lasting impact.
At its core, New Creation VA highlights the importance of creating spaces where women are supported, heard, and given real opportunities.