Interested in starting your own journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lowell Hochhalter, Founder of The LifeGuard Group, located in Missoula, MT, USA.
What's your organization, and who are your members?
THE LIFEGUARD GROUP is a non-profit, mission-focused organization of people who will strive to aggressively RESPOND to those hurting, lost, broken, and exploited. RESCUE those buried in life's injustices, longing for support. RESTORE them to a place of wholeness and REVIVE hope in our world by encouraging and educating others to find their place in the fight. We will LEAD with kindness and RESPECT to bring peace and healing to our world through the power of prayer, love, and actions with respect for one another and those we serve. We will GROW, in faith and integrity, until all victims are restored, and those who hurt understand that LIFE is our gift and LOVE is our power. THE LIFEGUARD GROUP will stand firm and never waiver in our commitment to OFFER LIFE to those in need and to STAND UP for those who are oppressed, hurt, and victimized.
Tell us about yourself
I started my professional career as a Youth Minister. That took me into a career of school assembly production and motivational speaking. During that time, I encountered students who were facing a wide array of challenges in their life. Over time I begin to hear more and more of these stories being ones of exploitation and abuse. This motivated me to find out more about what was really going on. I wanted to know if this was something new or if I was just hearing about it. I learned that human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, had been taking place all over the world for many years, and the US was no exception. The number of victims was continuing to rise, but the recovery of such victims and the resources available to them was very few. I decided I needed to put myself in the middle of this fight. I am a father of 4, and 3 of those are daughters. 80% of victims are women, and over 50% are children. I knew that if I desired my daughters to live in a society free from abuse, assault, and exploitation, I needed to spearhead a movement of my own.
What's your biggest accomplishment as an organization?
After we started The LifeGuard Group, we saw the need for safe shelter for those escaping the life of human trafficking. 89% of victims have said they were willing to leave the "life" but didn't because there was no viable option for them. We purchased a 40-acre property once used as a resort and began to renovate and remodel. With only 2000 beds available to these victims, we wanted to do our part. We have raised over half a million dollars in our initial capital campaign, and we plan to have the property paid off in less than 3 years. This home will house 16 women when it is fully completed. They will have access to mental health therapy, healthcare, and dental, as well as equine therapy, dance therapy, art therapy, and wilderness therapy.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being an organization?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is to continue to be visionary while keeping the day-to-day operations running in a state of excellence. Also, hiring personnel that can carry the weight and pressure of our mission and vision.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow an organization today?
- Dream it.
- Strive for excellence in every facet.
- Build quality relationships and strategic partnerships
Where can people find you and your group?
Website: https://thelifeguardgroup.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelifeguardgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelifeguardgroup/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lifeguard_group
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelifeguardgroup/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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