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ABOUT US
Founded in 2015 by Don and Linabelle Finnegan, ABBA Helps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring survivors of human trafficking. What began as a mission to care for unseen and abused children has grown into a safe and nurturing refuge for trafficked pregnant teens, young mothers, and children.
Our two properties in Missouri serve this vulnerable population with compassion and excellence.
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Mountain Grove, MO – A 265-acre Children’s Ranch envisioned as a community of professional, trauma-informed homes serving child survivors of trafficking.
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Lee’s Summit, MO – A secure and private safe house providing care, shelter, and support for pregnant trafficked teens and their babies.
We are passionate about this work because survivors remain one of the most underserved groups in the nation, with far too few dedicated beds and resources available.
Our Mission
Rebuild Home. Restore Hope. Transform Lives.
Every young mother and child in our care becomes part of a safe, loving family environment.
We provide:
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Trauma-informed residential care
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Education support and life-skills development
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Physical, emotional, and spiritual support
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Comprehensive medical and prenatal care
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Access to licensed therapists and healing programs
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Opportunities for personal growth and long-term stability
Our goal is to give every survivor a chance to heal deeply, overcome their past, and move toward the future God has planned for them—a future filled with safety, dignity, and hope.
ABBA Helps Children's Ranch. This first home, called Don's Home, will be one of the many homes that will be part of the vision for the ABBA Children's Ranch. The ABBA Helps home in Mountain Grove is licensed to foster and adopt trafficked children under 12 years old under the Missouri Children's Services. It is the first home in the state for trafficked children.
The ABBA Helps Lee's Summit Home was licensed on December 1, 2021. It's purpose is to foster and adopt pregnant trafficked teens and their babies. We provide them shelter, a nurturing environment, and the skills and support to help them set themselves on a better path.
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WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Because 1 out of 6 children reported being trafficked are under the age of 12 with the youngest victims less than 1 year old.
Because the average age of entering into commercial sexual exploitation is roughly 12 to 14 years old.
Because 1,000 American Children are arrested for prostitution each year.
Because there are an estimated 100,000 American Children involved in human trafficking.
Because there are only 300 beds in the United States to accommodate these children.
Because child trafficking is widely unacknowledged and underserved.
Because we want to keep children in the child welfare system from exploitation and abuse.
Because we exist to show children the love and healing power of God.
HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO
ABBA Helps provides a network of trauma-informed safe homes designed for trafficked pregnant teens, young mothers, and children. Our homes are staffed with trained caregivers who specialize in supporting survivors of severe abuse and exploitation. Our caregivers serve as both compassionate family figures and skilled members of our professional care team.
We equip and empower them to provide the highest level of love, stability, and support for every young mother and child who enters our care.
We hold our homes to strong standards of accountability to ensure each survivor lives in a safe, nurturing, and secure environment. Healing begins in the home—where trust is rebuilt, core needs are met, and survivors have the space to grow, learn, and restore their identity.
Our mission is to help every young mother and child leave our care stronger, stable, and ready to step into long-term safety and a permanent, loving home.
Board of Directors and Staff
United by Compassion, Driven by Hope, and Dedicated to Making a Difference.
Meet the dedicated leaders and passionate team behind ABBA Helps. United by a shared commitment to serving others, our Board of Directors and staff work together to bring hope, create opportunities, and make a lasting difference in the lives of the communities we serve.
Founder & Executive Director
Linabelle C. Snapp (professionally known as Linabelle Cruz Finnegan) is the Founder and Executive Director of ABBA HELPS, a Missouri nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring hope and providing holistic, trauma-informed support for child survivors of human trafficking and pregnant and parenting minor survivors. She provides executive leadership, organizational oversight, program development, community engagement, and strategic direction for the organization.
Linabelle holds a Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration from Eastern Illinois University, a Master’s in International Health (MIH) through INMED, and a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) from Primus University of Theology. Her professional background includes higher education, healthcare information systems and data management, nonprofit leadership, international service, and advocacy for vulnerable populations.
Under her leadership, ABBA HELPS has developed ABBA Ranch in Mountain Grove and ABBA House in Lee’s Summit and has maintained licensure with the Missouri Children’s Division since 2022. She leads the organization’s efforts to build partnerships, recruit and develop qualified personnel, and establish sustainable services for minor survivors of human trafficking throughout Missouri.
Vice President, Board of Directors
Cheryl Bohlen
Cheryl Bohlen has served on the Board of Directors of ABBA HELPS since its inception in 2015 and currently serves as Vice President. She brings extensive experience in program management, organizational leadership, regulatory compliance, and community engagement. In her work with the State of Missouri, Cheryl provided compliance oversight for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) Program, helping ensure that
programs serving veterans met applicable federal requirements, standards, and performance expectations. Her professional experience also includes coordinating intensive services for disabled veterans and leading nonprofit educational programs serving more than 20,000 students annually.
Cheryl brings expertise in program development, strategic planning, federal compliance, performance oversight, teaching, fundraising, team building, and community partnerships. She applies this experience to ABBA HELPS’ governance and its continuing development of safe, effective, and accountable services for young people who have survived human trafficking.
Board Member & Secretary
Debora Wallace, BSN, RN, BEd, MEd
Deborah Wallace has served on the Board of Directors of ABBA HELPS since 2016 and currently serves as Board Secretary. She brings more than 27 years of nursing experience, including 20 years in critical care, along with extensive experience in healthcare, education, leadership, and service to vulnerable populations.
In addition to her clinical nursing experience, Deborah has taught nursing students and serves as an American Heart Association (AHA) instructor. Her combined background in nursing and education provides valuable insight as ABBA HELPS works to provide safe, compassionate, trauma-informed care and supportive environments for child survivors of human trafficking and pregnant teen survivors of trafficking.
A lifelong Christian, Deborah has a deep commitment to serving others and supporting children and families. She and her husband raised and homeschooled their two daughters, who are now adults.
Deborah is honored to bring her professional expertise, leadership experience, compassion, and faith to the mission of ABBA HELPS. Through her service on the Board, she is committed to helping ensure that survivors are treated with dignity, compassion, and hope as they move toward healing and restoration.
Treasurer & Administrative Assistant
Patricia Jennings
Patricia “Pat” Jennings serves as Treasurer of ABBA HELPS and has been part of the organization’s administrative team since 2023. As Administrative Assistant, she supports the day-to-day operations of the organization and brings a strong understanding of its mission, programs, and administrative needs.
Prior to joining ABBA HELPS, Pat spent nearly 30 years working in a childcare facility, where she cared for children ranging from infants through preschool age, as well as school-age children in after-school programs. Over the course of her career, she also assumed significant management responsibilities, including personnel supervision and oversight of virtually every aspect of the childcare facility’s operations. Her extensive experience caring for children, managing staff, and supporting the daily operations of a childcare environment brings a valuable practical perspective to ABBA HELPS.
As Treasurer, Pat supports responsible stewardship and financial accountability while drawing upon decades of experience in administration, management, and service to children and
families.
Pat is honored to use her experience and gifts to support ABBA HELPS in its mission to provide safety, hope, healing, and restoration to child survivors of human trafficking and pregnant teen survivors of trafficking.
Board Member & Facilities Director
Kevin V. Brown
Kevin V. Brown serves on the Board of Directors of ABBA HELPS and as the organization’s Facilities Director, bringing more than 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial building trades. His background includes business ownership, management, and the implementation of building and facilities practices, with extensive knowledge of construction standards, building codes, facility services, ADA considerations, and regulatory requirements.
Kevin’s expertise is especially valuable as ABBA HELPS develops and maintains safe, nurturing, and welcoming residential environments for child survivors of human trafficking and pregnant teen survivors of trafficking. His longstanding relationships within the building trades and business community also provide opportunities to cultivate partnerships, professional services, volunteer support, and in-kind resources that can strengthen the organization’s facilities and mission.
Equally important to Kevin is his commitment to serving others according to the gifts God has entrusted to him. A lifelong member of the Christian faith community, Kevin has served in numerous church leadership roles, including elder, deacon, and board president. He currently serves as an elder and Covenant Group leader at Legacy Christian Church.
Kevin believes deeply in the God-given dignity, value, and worth of every person. His professional experience, faith, and commitment to service align closely with the mission of ABBA HELPS: to provide compassionate care and help restore hope, dignity, and a sense of worth to children and young people who have experienced human trafficking.
Through his service on the Board and leadership of ABBA HELPS’ facilities efforts, Kevin helps ensure that the places entrusted to the organization reflect its mission—providing environments where survivors can experience safety, stability, healing, and hope.
Financial Director, Board of Directors
Dennis Bacon, CPA, CFP®
Dennis Bacon serves as Financial Director and a member of the Board of Directors of ABBA HELPS. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), and Certified Kingdom Advisor, Dennis brings extensive experience in financial management, planning, fiscal
oversight, and organizational stewardship.
Dennis built and led a successful local wealth management organization and is now semi-retired. His financial expertise provides ABBA HELPS with Board-level guidance related to financial sustainability, budgeting, fiscal decision-making, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
Dennis also brings significant nonprofit governance and community-service experience. He has served on boards and organizations focused on youth development, education, health, and family support, including the Kansas City Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Resource Health, a multi-facility pregnancy resource center, and youth summer camp programs. He has also served in youth ministry and various church leadership roles.
Through his combination of professional financial expertise, nonprofit Board experience, and longstanding commitment to youth and families, Dennis provides important fiscal and governance leadership as ABBA HELPS expands its capacity to provide safe, accountable, and sustainable services for minor survivors of human trafficking and pregnant teen survivors of trafficking.
Board Member
Aleah Finnegan
Aleah Finnegan serves on the Board of Directors of ABBA HELPS, bringing a unique perspective as an Olympian, entrepreneur, and young business professional. She graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a degree in Business Marketing and competed as a collegiate gymnast, helping LSU win the 2024 NCAA National Championship. She also represented the Philippines at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as a member of the Philippine National Gymnastics Team.
In addition to her athletic career, Aleah is an entrepreneur developing her own clothing wear brand. Her background in marketing, management, athletics, and business brings a valuable next-generation perspective to the ABBA HELPS Board.
Through years of elite competition, Aleah has developed discipline, resilience, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership. She is passionate about encouraging young people to recognize their God-given worth and potential and is honored to support ABBA HELPS in its mission to
restore hope, dignity, and opportunity to child survivors of human trafficking and pregnant teen survivors of trafficking.
Operations Director
Leslie Mahre
Leslie Mahre serves as Operations Director for ABBA HELPS and brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, residential ministry operations, executive administration, policy and procedure development, community partnerships, and program implementation.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University, graduating cum laude. Her experience includes managing residential programs, developing operational systems and procedures, coordinating vendors and organizational resources, cultivating community partnerships, supporting anti-trafficking ministry initiatives, and helping prepare programs for licensing and direct-service implementation.
As Operations Director, Leslie supports ABBA HELPS in strengthening the organizational infrastructure necessary for safe, effective, and accountable service delivery. Her leadership will be particularly important as ABBA HELPS transitions from licensed program development into phased direct services for minor survivors of human trafficking and pregnant teen survivors of trafficking.