Commission approves $25,000 expansion for One More Child'9s LOFT 181 program
May 29, 2026 | Hillsborough County, Florida
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The Hillsborough County Commission on Human Trafficking voted May 28 to approve a $25,000 expansion of an existing contract with One More Child to support the LOFT 181 program.
The LOFT 181 program provides a boutique-style clothing and support experience aimed primarily at teenage girls ages 13 to 18 who are in foster care or otherwise at risk of human trafficking. Geraldine Jean Shawls, a project representative, told the commission that LOFT 181 served 462 girls in 2025 and is on track to serve about 600 this year; as of March 2026 the program had served 304 girls, distributed 613 bags and 10,966 items of clothing and hygiene products, and reported seven youths confirmed as trafficked.
Commissioners said they support the program but pressed staff and the nonprofit for clearer, Hillsborough-specific data. "My concern is are we funding foster care broadly or are we targeting youth who are at proven risk of trafficking?" the chair said, urging stronger local metrics. Staff and One More Child representatives said LOFT 181 is open to community youth as well as foster youth and described plans for "pop-up" events to reach young people outside the program'9s Northdale site.
County staff noted the current LOFT 181 allocation from the Criminal Justice Trust Fund was $10,000 and that the requested $25,000 expansion would allow the provider to increase outputs, offset costs for key items such as shoes and undergarments, and support outreach. Staff also said contract language can be amended to include specific goals and data collection to address commissioners'9 questions.
A motion to approve the $25,000 contract expansion was made, seconded and carried; members voiced "aye" with no opposition recorded on the transcript. The commission directed staff to work with the provider to clarify metrics that disaggregate Hillsborough County participants and to include identification and reporting steps for youth the program encounters who may be victims of trafficking.
The commission will receive reports back from staff and the contractor on how the additional funds are used and on updated data collection plans.
The LOFT 181 program provides a boutique-style clothing and support experience aimed primarily at teenage girls ages 13 to 18 who are in foster care or otherwise at risk of human trafficking. Geraldine Jean Shawls, a project representative, told the commission that LOFT 181 served 462 girls in 2025 and is on track to serve about 600 this year; as of March 2026 the program had served 304 girls, distributed 613 bags and 10,966 items of clothing and hygiene products, and reported seven youths confirmed as trafficked.
Commissioners said they support the program but pressed staff and the nonprofit for clearer, Hillsborough-specific data. "My concern is are we funding foster care broadly or are we targeting youth who are at proven risk of trafficking?" the chair said, urging stronger local metrics. Staff and One More Child representatives said LOFT 181 is open to community youth as well as foster youth and described plans for "pop-up" events to reach young people outside the program'9s Northdale site.
County staff noted the current LOFT 181 allocation from the Criminal Justice Trust Fund was $10,000 and that the requested $25,000 expansion would allow the provider to increase outputs, offset costs for key items such as shoes and undergarments, and support outreach. Staff also said contract language can be amended to include specific goals and data collection to address commissioners'9 questions.
A motion to approve the $25,000 contract expansion was made, seconded and carried; members voiced "aye" with no opposition recorded on the transcript. The commission directed staff to work with the provider to clarify metrics that disaggregate Hillsborough County participants and to include identification and reporting steps for youth the program encounters who may be victims of trafficking.
The commission will receive reports back from staff and the contractor on how the additional funds are used and on updated data collection plans.
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