Face Forward: Changing Lives One Survivor At A Time

When we talk about inspiring non-profits doing amazing things here in Los Angeles, we must talk about Face Forward. Founded in 2007, Face Forward has provided pro-bono physical and emotional reconstruction for women, children, and men who have been victims of domestic violence, human trafficking or any cruel acts of crime.

Not only limited to the US, Face Forward works with individuals around the world who carry the physical evidence of abuse to help restore their confidence not just through surgery, but therapy and various recovery services. In 2015 alone, Face Forward provided over $750,000 pro bono treatments to their patients.

The worldwide epidemic cannot be ignored. Just look at the stats. Deborah Alessi would not just sit back and watch. Deborah founded Face Forward with her husband David Alessi M.D. and, in between fundraising for the organization, traveling around the world to create partnerships, and spreading the word through TV and guest appearances, her passion for each individual survivor is what keeps her going every day.

We had the privilege of chatting with Deborah and learning a bit more about Face Forward, overcoming challenges, and what inspires her.

What was the first inspiration in starting the Face Forward organization?  

In hind site, I really think Face Forward found me.  After I got married, I stepped out of the private aviation industry so that I wouldn’t have to travel so much and was looking for a new path.  When I learned that my husband had already provided several patients with pro bono surgeries who couldn’t otherwise afford the help, purely out of the kindness of his heart, the “idea” of Face Forward was born. I am a domestic violence survivor myself, so targeting care services to a group that had a very personal connection for me just made sense….and now here we are 10 years later, both my marriage and Face Forward growing stronger every day!

Face Forward: Changing Lives One Survivor At A Time

Beyond the physical, Face Forward patients have a long emotional and psychological recovery. What do you think is crucial during this time?

Therapy number one is crucial for the healing process. And also being surrounding with positive people who will help them too forward to the future. We can help with the physical scars all day but that does nothing for them if we don’t help them repair the internal scars too. We have a rule at Face Forward- No Therapy No Surgery, and we hold them to it.

The number of American troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2001 and 2012 was 6,488. The number of American women who were murdered by current or ex male partners during that time was 11,766. That’s nearly double the amount of casualties lost during war.

What is one of the most challenging patient reconstructive surgery Face Forward has performed?

Two that stand out to me to most people would probably be our acid attack survivor Hanifa, and also Audrey who was beaten with a hammer and then lit on fire by her husband. But if you ask Dr. Alessi or even other surgeons, one of our most recent cases Stephanie who we were recently featured on an episode of The Doctors with, was probably one of the most challenging surgically. She developed a large malformation in her face from violent facial trauma as a result of a rape and stabbing that happened to her over 20 years ago. Her procedure took much longer than anticipated due to the sensitive area in her face that had been affected.

All the stories we have read are SO inspiring. Can you tell us about a patient that changed your outlook on life?

Without a doubt, Saundra….she is from the beginning with Face Forward.  She was brutally beaten by her husband and left for dead in the street. She developed a flesh eating bacteria from the injuries, they thought she would die. Saundra gave ME strength to know that in building something like Face Forward could really change people’s lives. Though we can’t physically change her as dramatically as some of our other survivors, the change that I have seen in her over the years has been incredible.  Seeing the difference that Face Forward has made in her life emotionally is always a reminder for me of how we can truly make a difference and makes me  want to keep growing our organization to keep get doing bigger things to help survivors.

Face Forward: Changing Lives One Survivor At A Time

What makes this organization stand out amongst others?

First of all there aren’t many organizations out there providing pro bono surgery, but not only are we providing the surgery, but we are also providing the therapy as well which is key to helping heal the internal as well as external scars. And Face Forward offers a service care package including providing patients Airfare, Accommodations, Transportation, Nursing After along with all their surgical and counseling needs. We also go above and beyond to ensure that if we can’t help a patient for some reason…that we still try to help connect them with other resource who can.

50 percent of trafficking victims are under the age of 16

Do you think that because domestic violence (an issue that almost exclusively impacts women) & the discussion involves listening to women , the media automatically files it away as a “women’s issue”?

It is unfortunate that historically media has made it a “women’s issue” but we know that Domestic Violence is EVERYONE’s issue, and I think that thanks to things like social media that the world is becoming more and more aware of that every day.  The internet is giving this generation a new way of raising awareness and using their “cyber voices” to really make an impact.

Are Face Forward patients US primarily, or do you work internationally? If so, how is the process of finding the candidates?

Most of our cases have been from the U.S, but a few years ago we started more outreach internationally. With Dr. Alessi expanding his medical practice to Dubai earlier this year, he will soon start treating Face Forward patients there as well.  We have had quite a few international cases already from Uganda, Kenya, Germany, and our newest patient from Afghanistan. We are also currently working on coordinating cases from Israel, India, Guatemala, and the UK.  International patients typically come to us though other non-profits that we partner with. We have found that what we do is often the “missing piece of the puzzle” for many domestic violence and human trafficking organizations that are providing rescue relief services.  

According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, of which 80% are female and half are children.

We recently heard that you will be working closely with the LGBTQ community in Orlando in the wake of recent tragedies. How so?

We have a Committee member who visited Orlando shortly after the attacks to film for a television segment about some of the survivors. He returned from the trip and instantly reached out to us sharing some survivor stories and photos of some of the injuries. These individuals had of course received emergency care for the injuries, but many are left with very serious scars that are a constant reminder to them of the attack. Even if they are insured, providers might consider certain additional surgery to be cosmetic so it wouldn’t be covered. Face Forward will be making outreach efforts to connect and let these survivors know we are here to help those who cannot otherwise afford the proper care they need to help move forward with their lives after surviving such a horrific tragedy.  

Face Forward: Changing Lives One Survivor At A Time

What do you think is most helpful for patients and victims to move past what happened to them?

Therapy number one is the biggest part of the healing….and of course with our patients, the surgery. Looking in the mirror and seeing scars is a constant visual reminder of what their abuser has done to them.  You have to help them repair their internal as well as external scars.

All Face Forward procedures and treatments are pro bono, and you mention that all you want from patients is for them to go on and do great things in life, is that so?

We have each of our Face Forward patients sign an agreement that they will “pay it forward” and do something great with their lives all while helping other survivors. We want them to be advocates for change, to help raise awareness and support for the future patients who come after them. By them sharing their stories with others and becoming active in volunteering they are showing other survivors that they are not alone, that there is help out there, and that there is hope to move forward after suffering from abuse.

Face Forward: Changing Lives One Survivor At A Time

Where do you see Face Forward in 5/10 years?

Branching out even further internationally. We would love to see branch offices with staff around the globe and a huge team of doctors all who are all willing to donate their time and services to help even more survivors. We hope to help even more patients from countries where the proper surgical services and resources for treatment are simply not otherwise available.

What inspires you?

Survivors.

My husband and I work hard and play hard….so seeing how many lives we can truly touch and change truly inspires me. But I also really enjoy just spending downtown with my husband as well, it is important in a marriage, so travel is a passion for us as well.

To learn more and donate: https://www.faceforwardla.org/