Ally Loo | Founder of PATCH
When I was 7 years old, I was sexually abused by a family friend. All I wanted was to forget; to escape the pain, hatred, and bitterness I felt toward my situation, my abuser, and myself. At such a young age, it was difficult to process and understand the abuse, but I grew to believe it happened for a reason. I began to validate and work through my feelings, realizing they helped me empathize with those sharing similar stories. As a result, my experience transformed into an opportunity to work toward something greater than myself.
In 2016, I founded Plushies Aimed to Comfort Hearts (PATCH) to provide child abuse victims with comfort items (stuffed animals, blankets, books, art supplies), advocate for children’s rights, and raise awareness about children in crises. Over 2000 stuffed animals were donated to CALICO Center (@calicoforkids) and other local organizations, which is one of the many things I’m proud of PATCH for accomplishing.
While honored to be featured, I don’t believe I’ve #madeHERstory. PATCH is blessed to consistently receive support from the community. The hard working and generous people I’m humbled to surround myself with and serve alongside are the ones I attribute PATCH’s success to and the ones I believe have made the impact.
I want to say thank you to 4 special women: my mom, Blenda Loo; my pseudo mom, Tiffany Fong; and two members of the CALICO staff, Erin Harper and Holly Fleming. They all teach and push me to be the best version of myself in their own ways, and for that I’m forever grateful.
My story is far from over. There’s still much work to be done. Sexual violence remains a taboo subject for many, but it’s something that needs to be addressed and discussed. It’s encouraging to see Twitter recently become a space for people, regardless of gender, to share their experiences and for their stories to be received by listening ears. I will continue to stand with these individuals not as victims, but as victors - strong, courageous, and loved - so that one day, my life can serve as a testimony of how I #madeHERstory.
Ally Loo, Founder of PATCH (@justallyloo)