Episode #21 - McKinzie

In this episode of The Dr. Lois Lee Show, McKinzie shares how resilience, support, and intentional parenting helped her break a generational cycle of trauma and exploitation.

As a child, McKinzie grew up in a chaotic home where boundaries were blurred and safety was uncertain. She describes how isolation, mental health struggles, and instability shaped her early years. Eventually, running from an unsafe environment led her into further harm.

As a minor, she was located by the FBI and placed in a group home before being connected to Children of the Night. There, she experienced structure, consistent care, and the opportunity to begin understanding her mental health and her worth.

McKinzie reflects on what it meant to feel like a child in a safe environment for the first time.

Later, during a period of addiction, learning she was pregnant became a turning point. She chose sobriety. She built stability. She created a home of her own. Today, she is a devoted mother of two who is determined to parent differently than she was raised.

Dr. Lois Lee also discusses the organization’s monthly parenting program, designed to help mothers protect their children — educating them without overwhelming them, creating safety without secrecy.

McKinzie’s message to policymakers is direct: exploitation begins long before a child reaches the streets. Youth who are exploited are not disposable. They are capable, intelligent, and often desperately seeking a way out. Empathy, early intervention, and sustained support make the difference.

Her story is one of interruption — of choosing a different legacy for her children.

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