Goldsboro Council Member Accused of Exploiting Survivors at Cry Freedom Missions

Goldsboro Council Member Beverly Weeks accused of using her anti-trafficking nonprofit, Cry Freedom Missions, to exploit survivors for unpaid labor, publicity, and fundraising power.

Beverly Weeks, the founder and CEO of Cry Freedom Missions (CFM), is currently serving on the Goldsboro City Council  representing District 5— but her ministry is now facing serious allegations of exploitation, according to a report by the nonprofit watchdog MinistryWatch.

The Christian-based nonprofit claims to rescue and restore victims of human trafficking in eastern North Carolina. But former staff and survivors told MinistryWatch that CFM used vulnerable women as fundraising props, forced them into unpaid labor, and controlled their personal lives under the guise of faith-based recovery.

From Poster Child to Overdose: The Ashley Vrabel Story

Ashley Vrabel, a former sex worker who got clean after being arrested in 2018, joined CFM and quickly became its public success story. She was featured in campaigns, shared her testimony at events, and represented the brand as living proof of transformation.

But privately, Vrabel was struggling. Her daughter was being bullied at school, and the constant public attention overwhelmed her. She relapsed, lost her job, and ultimately died of an overdose in January 2022.

During the time she was speaking out and fundraising, MinistryWatch reports that CFM’s revenue more than doubled — from $750,892 in 2019 to $1.7 million in 2020, based on IRS tax forms.

“They Raised Money Off Her Pain”

Chretien Dumond, who served as CFM’s marketing director until October 2020, said Vrabel’s story was overused in public-facing campaigns.

“She didn’t like all of the notoriety,” Dumond told MinistryWatch. “CFM was overly using her story to market and raise funds. It took a toll on her and her child.”

Dumond added that Beverly Weeks and then-COO Jonathan Chavous didn’t want to have conversations about ethical boundaries.

Whistleblowers Allege Strict Rules and No Compensation at CFM

CFM offers long-term housing and recovery programs for women coming out of trafficking or drug addiction. But according to whistleblowers, the program includes:

• Mandatory work at CFM cafés and stores

• No wages (even for full-time work)

• Strict religious rules (mandatory church, music bans, phone call restrictions)

• Control over women’s movements and medical access

Former staff member Stephanie Craig told MinistryWatch the women were mostly assigned to inventory work, received no counseling, and had very little personal freedom.

“They were told their food and shelter was their payment,” Craig said. “But many said it felt like being trafficked all over again.”

Whistleblowers Say ‘Survivor-Made’ Products Were Misleading

The ministry advertises that its shops sell “survivor-made” jewelry and gifts. But MinistryWatch reports that many items were actually assembled by volunteers or staff — not the women themselves.

Aubrey Lartch, who worked at CFM in 2019, admitted she personally made many of the items marketed as survivor-crafted.

“We were told to tell customers they were made by women CFM had saved. It was mostly a ruse,” she said.

Dangerous Medical Practices

In one case, Craig told MinistryWatch that a diabetic woman wasn’t allowed to talk to her doctor. When her doctor recommended an increase in insulin, CFM staff reportedly ignored the plan and altered the dosage themselves, which former staff allege was done without proper medical oversight or credentials.

Survivor Speaks Out: “They Didn’t Help Me — They Wanted to Use Me”

A woman identified as Veronica came to CFM with her two children in 2021, fleeing from gang violence and nursing a stab wound. CFM initially welcomed her — but MinistryWatch reports that after learning about her criminal record, they changed their tune.

According to Veronica:

• CFM only paid for 2–3 nights at a hotel, often forgetting to send payments

• No food, no counseling, no medical help

• Staff told her to search the internet for grants

• She resorted to selling plasma and sex work to feed her kids

• CFM pressured her to do a photo shoot and give them a good review

“Similar to a pimp, you’re controlling us.” Veronica told MinistryWatch. “If you don’t do what we want, we aren’t gonna help you.”

Despite repeated requests, Cry Freedom Missions and Beverly Weeks have not responded to MinistryWatch’s inquiries.