About Pearl at the Mailbox
Pearl at the Mailbox is a survivor-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Sheri Lopez, a human trafficking survivor, author, and national advocate working to stop grooming with the intent to exploit — before trafficking ever happens.
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Our mission is grounded in Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Regulation, and Legislation (P.E.A.R.L.), building a movement to protect children and empower communities through awareness, policy, and action.
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We:
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Define and educate about grooming with intent to exploit — the critical first stage that often goes unseen.
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Operate the National Grooming Prevention Hotline, providing confidential guidance to parents, teachers, and community members who suspect grooming or exploitation.
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Provide training and resources to schools, parents, law enforcement, and professionals to recognize and stop grooming before it leads to trafficking.
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Lead legislative efforts in Arizona and across the United States to close legal gaps and ensure grooming and exploitation are clearly defined and punishable under the law.
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Empower survivors through education, storytelling, and advocacy — helping them move from victim to voice.
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Mobilize our Community Awareness Team (CAT) to spread education at the local level, hosting community classes and events where prevention begins — at home.
From classrooms to courthouses and the halls of Congress, Pearl at the Mailbox stands as a voice for prevention, protection, and purpose. Every action we take honors the woman named Pearl, who stepped in and saved Sheri’s life at a mailbox — a moment that changed everything. Today, her legacy lives on through our work to ensure no child’s innocence is stolen, no parent is left without answers, and no survivor stands alone.
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Because every child deserves to grow up safe, seen, and free.
Innocence is what the trafficker wants because that's what sells.
Parents, please keep a force of protection around your children. Do not let them roam freely on social media or in public spaces without you or a group of at least four, there can be safety in numbers.
Parents do not be your kid’s friend, be their parent, say 'no' to their requests if it presents danger. Let them be mad at you.
Girls, you do not need to show off your body to be liked, You don't have to "give in" to a boy just because he tells you he loves you or he will leave you if you don't.
You are so much more than your body! You are God's child, and you are loved!
My Story
Human trafficking has existed long before it ever had a name. I know because I lived it.
When I was just fifteen, I was groomed and trafficked by my high school boyfriend’s father, a man I trusted. What began as innocent attention soon turned into calculated manipulation. Over time, he learned my weaknesses, used my vulnerabilities, and slowly reshaped my sense of self without me even realizing it was happening.
Looking back, I can now see that my grooming process took about three months. During that time, I was being conditioned, controlled, and isolated. My emotions, needs, and innocence were all being exploited to mold me into someone I was not. Intentional actions were taken to lower my defenses and break the natural bond between me and my parents through brainwashing, secrecy, and emotional blackmail.
Eventually, I was led into a dark world of physical and emotional abuse that lasted for many years; experiences that will stay with me until the Lord calls me home. But the past no longer holds power over me.
Today, I share my story openly so others can understand how grooming happens, and so that even one child can be spared from the truest form of evil. My voice now belongs to prevention, education, and change.
Why the name 'Pearl at the Mailbox'?
I would see Pearl at the mailbox mostly every day at the final location I was being trafficked. She was an elderly women with a love for the Lord and a no fear attitude.
She would say to me, "Honey, I know something is not right and when you are ready to go I will be here for you".
Never would I have imagined that I would one day tell her that I was ready to go, but I did.
