OUR HISTORY & IMPACT
Every life-giving movement begins with someone seeing a need and asking,“How can this need be met?”
Reintegra is the story of one couple’s extraordinary vision; grounded in the brutal reality of Mexico’s sex-trafficking industry, but fueled by creative hope and seeded in the soil of heartfelt love.
In 2012, Germán and Lorena Villar served as directors for a safe home in Mexico City, facilitating the care of under-age trafficked girls.
For years they helped nurture survivors who arrived at the home carrying trauma no child should ever have to endure. And at age 18 —as each girl aged out of the program— they witnessed what could happen when these young women were asked to step back into a tumultuous world without the support, resources or opportunities they needed to thrive.
The Villars strongly believed that leaving a safe home shouldn't mean outgrowing your community of care. They saw a critical gap in the structure of lives longing to be rebuilt —and what they envisioned in that space was real possibility.
“What if we could help these young women do more than just survive? What if they could build themselves a thriving future?”
That vital question became their offering of Reintegra: “to reintegrate”.
From its first conception to the international project which serves numerous survivors today, Reintegra’s devoted purpose has been to walk alongside young women as they transition from residential care into independent adulthood. Equipping them with education, support, resources, and the opportunity to build a brighter future
Hope Seeded in the Soil of Heartfelt Love
Seeding a Vision: The First Generation
Germán Villar was a man who was larger than life; bilingual, smart and funny. As a tax attorney he used his legal expertise to advocate for survivors and pursue justice in their cases. Lorena brought something equally as powerful: her loving heart and the fierce tenderness of a mother. She cared for the girls with constant compassion and the belief that their past did not have to determine their future.
To establish the Reintegra community, the couple left their home and moved into an apartment building where the girls could live alongside them. They created a family, providing the young women with educational funds and living expenses.
In the early years, Reintegra’s focus was on education; the initial group of participants becoming known as “The First Generation”.
Many of these girls dreamed of pursuing college degrees and building careers that would allow them to become financially independent. Some —inspired by Germán's own commitment to seeking justice— even dreamed of becoming lawyers.
One of those young women was Maria. In 2012, Maria not only became President of Reintegra, but went on to continue her education, eventually earning a master's degree in law and serving at Mexico’s Supreme Court.
Maria’s story became an early glimpse of what’s possible when young women are given more than mere survival. When they are given the opportunity to unearth their innate gifts and unlock the potential of their truest selves.
Tragic Death and A Hopeful Rebirth:
For many years Germán had been battling diabetes, and in 2014, just a mere two years after the birth of his vision, he was unable to fight any longer. His death was an immeasurable blow to the Reintegra family. Yet even in his decline, his devotion remained fixed on those he served, making provision in his will for the First Generation's college fees to be fully met.
For a time after Germán’s death all Reintegra’s operations in Mexico City ceased.
The light of the Villar’s vision was seemingly dimmed; but thankfully not extinguished.
During research for her undergraduate studies, Rachel Kay —a dear friend from the States— had lived and worked with the Villars at their safe-home. The experience had completely changed the trajectory of Rachel’s life as she witnessed the miraculous work that genuine hope and real-life opportunity could bring.
In 2015, she and her fellow supporter, Andy McCulloch felt an imperative call to reignite the Villar's work. They registered Reintegra as a nonprofit organization in the States and oriented themselves to a simple mission: “Help provide the resources young women need to build independent lives.”
A board of directors was formed and Reintegra found its way forward with renewed hope and energy. As an international organization, the project could now provide living expenses for their participants, and what was birthed from one couple's vision became a movement traversing language and culture.
The Work Grows:
In 2018, our gifted psychologist Jessica Rosaslanda joined the team in Mexico City. With years of experience working with survivors and her knowledge as a psychologist, Jessica dedicated herself to the women in the program. For several years she worked alongside Lorena who took on directorship of Reintegra Mexico, in 2019.
By 2021 the vision was widening. Jessica was nominated to the position of Latin American Director and partnerships were established with safe homes in Tijuana and Costa Rica. This represented an important shift. Instead of Reintegra providing every resource directly, we began asking: “What if we could equip the people already serving to do their work even better?”
Collaboration became Reintegra’s long-term investment of love, equipping those already “on the ground” with endurance training; preventing burn-out, and making sure the carers are also cared for.
With an increased focus on trauma-informed care, staff development and partnership, the impact could now extend beyond one program.
Then, in 2022 the Reintegra family suffered yet another heart breaking tragedy —the loss of Lorena to cancer. Lorena had been the heartbeat of Reintegra from the very beginning. Her compassion and motherly care shaped the culture of the organization and the lives of countless young women. Her loss was deeply felt.
Over the Years: Changing Landscapes
In the 14 years since its birth, Reintegra has grown and matured, evolving through various seasons and shifting its focus with time and need. What was once a family providing housing, mentorship and educational funds, now seeds long-term healing through many creative avenues and partnerships across Mexico and Guatemala.
In 2024, Jessica Rosaslanda took on International Executive Directorship and under her leadership the project has continued to grow; adding support staff and psychologists to strengthen the care provided.
We continue to build on the foundation of love Germán and Lorena established more than a decade earlier.
The Ongoing Story:
Everyone loves a happy ending, the stories of rebirth, and Reintegra has its share of those. But for many survivors of sex trafficking, healing can be a long, slow process. The painful unraveling of traumatic wounds and the relearning of essential life skills can be monumental journeys for young women to make.
Reintegra’s story is not just about victorious moments; it’s about real life endurance. Lives lost and then rebuilt. Here, families are created, self-love is unearthed, and the agonizing reality that every girl counts, is met with humility and long-term patience.
Reintegra is our ongoing journey of small, but worthy milestones —rooted in love— and centered in the greater story of compassion, humanity and justice in our world.
