About

Who We Are

We Fight Monsters exists to confront trafficking and addiction with a lawful, boots-on-the-ground response. Our mission is clear and measurable: Rescue, Recover, and Restore people, turning hotspots of harm into hubs of hope. We operate with Law Enforcement (LE), clinicians, and vetted community partners.

Our Story

Our founders, Ben and Jess Owen, lived the chaos of addiction and found a way out through people who would not give up. Recovery led to restoration, and restoration became a calling to go back for others. What began as a handful of rescues has grown into a disciplined model that moves people from crisis to care to community. Today our teams serve the first Area of Operation in Memphis and prepare a playbook that can scale to other cities.

From Trap Houses to Hope

Ben & Jessica Owen's Fight Against Addiction and Trafficking in Memphis

What We Do

We run an end-to-end pipeline we call .

  • Rescue includes field operations with LE and self-referrals through our 24/7 hotline and Intake and Detox Clinic.

  • Recovery covers the first six months, beginning with medically supervised detox and stabilization, then high-structure residential programming focused on mindset, therapy, legal protection, and healthy rhythms.

  • Restoration continues for six to twenty-four months at Oak Farms. Residents heal in community, master skills in agriculture, culinary, trades, and technology or design, earn wages, and graduate with savings. Faith support is available and opt-in.

Ben & Jessica Owen

Ben and Jessica Owen, founders of Flanders Fields and We Fight Monsters, are dedicated to combating opiate and fentanyl addiction and sex-trafficking in the mid-south. Both recovering addicts with a tumultuous past including drug arrests and homelessness, they've transformed their struggles into a force for good. Leveraging experiences from running safehouses during the Afghanistan evacuation, they now establish sober-living homes in the U.S., converting dope houses into recovery spaces. Working alongside agencies and street gangs, they embody hope and recovery, turning their once perilous paths into lifelines for others.

General Hicks

Brigadier General David W. Hicks, Director of Strategy, Concepts, and Assessments at the U.S. Air Force HQ, orchestrates the synchronization of Air Force Strategy. A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, he has over 3,800 flight hours, including 500 in combat. His leadership spans from piloting A-10s to commanding roles in Afghanistan, shaping airpower strategy and innovation. Decorated with numerous awards, his career embodies commitment to defense excellence and strategic foresight.

Lt. Col. Scott Mann

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Scott Mann, a former Green Beret, applies his Special Forces expertise in rapport-building through Rooftop Leadership, helping leaders enhance connections in trust-scarce environments. With tours in Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Scott translates combat zone strategies to corporate leadership, focusing on trust and relationship-building. He's a best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and actor, notably for his play "Last Out" about the Afghan War's impact. Scott also founded Task Force Pineapple and The Heroes Journey, advocating for Afghan allies and supporting warriors and their families. His greatest pride is his family, including three sons and his wife, Monty, of 26 years.

MSgt Travis Peterson

Travis Peterson, Director of Moral Compass Federation and retired Master Sergeant, has a distinguished history with the US Air Force, serving 21 years in roles from Nuclear Weapons Specialist to Combat Aviation Advisor with the 6th Special Operations Squadron. Known for his dedication, Peterson has been pivotal in rescue operations, notably chartering a flight to evacuate allies from Afghanistan before its fall. With a focus on foreign internal defense, he's facilitated critical aviation tactics and interoperability across SOUTHCOM, EUCOM, and the Middle East. His bravery and leadership were instrumental in the development of Afghanistan's elite Special Mission Wing. Post-retirement, Peterson continues to advocate for Afghan allies, leading efforts to provide safety and support amidst crises.

Dan Robitaille

After serving in the US Army and law enforcement, including pivotal roles during 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, has dedicated his retirement to philanthropy in Atlanta. He mentors homeless youth through Youthbuild USA, supports neighborhood revitalization with the Whitefoord Community Project, and contributes to social justice via the Georgia Justice Project. As a board member for New Hope Enterprises and an advisor for SafeHouse Outreach, Dan focuses on job training and shelter for the homeless. He's deeply involved with The Ziest Foundation, founded by his father-in-law, enhancing children's healthcare and education.

GySgt Joel Velazquez

dedicated father and U.S. Marine, serves as the Vice President of Technology at Heart of an Ace. With a Purple Heart and 12 years of military intelligence experience, he leverages his skills to support humanitarian efforts in the Middle East and Europe. Inspired by his father's legacy in public service, Joel applies his expertise to empower vulnerable communities through digital solutions that enhance the organization’s operations in challenging regions like Afghanistan and Ukraine. Residing in Texas with his four children, Joel values education, enjoys working on cars, and cherishes family time. He holds a Bachelor's in Homeland Security and is pursuing a Master’s in Technology Intelligence from the National Intelligence University.

How We Operate

Lawful by design

We coordinate missions with LE and providers. No vigilantism.

Privacy and consent

Medical privacy aligns with HIPAA. Survivors choose what is shared and when.

Evidence and Integrity

If a survivor chooses to report, we support chain-of-custody and trauma-informed process.

Excellence through review

We publish a monthly Situation Report (SITREP) and a quarterly After-Action Report (AAR) summary, then improve our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Partnerships that work

We formalize roles through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with hospitals, shelters, employers, churches, and nonprofits.

Values

Dignity in every interaction.

Courage to go where others will not.

Accountability through clear data and public reporting.

Service that prioritizes the person over the headline.

Faith with freedom for anyone who wants it and never as a requirement.

Hope with a plan that reaches beyond rescue to a stable life.

Leadership and Teams

Founder: Ben Owen

Rescue Cell: intel, LE liaison, mission planning, communications security, AARs
Clinical Cell: MD, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, therapists, case managers, victim advocates
Ops Cell: hospitals and detox partners, shelters, prosecutors, legal and compliance, employer and church partners, HR, finance, data and impact
Mission Support Cell: story and content, fundraising, marketing, reporting cadence, major-gift strategy, grants, donor care

Accountability and Transparency

We maintain audited financials and publish annual outcomes. Public dashboards are aggregated and anonymized to protect identities. When numbers are too small to maintain privacy, we roll them up or hide them. We correct errors and disclose material revisions in the next SITREP. View our latest 990, audit, and methodology on the Impact page.

Where We Are Going

“Operation Stronghold” advances the mission in three waves.Wave 1 activates the 777 Intake and Detox Clinic.Wave 2 funds and renovates the Home Base Headquarters and Hospital with a ten million dollar target.Wave 3 scales Oak Farms housing and profit-center apprenticeships that train residents and increase sustainability. Every gift defaults to the active wave.

How You Can Help

Choose your door and join the fight.Fund a Rescue for a one-time gift.Join the Forces for monthly support.Move the Mission with a major gift or pledge.Employers can hire graduates. Churches and community groups can mentor and serve. Providers and LE can partner through formal MOUs. If you need help today, call or text our 24/7 line.

FAQs

Is faith required?

No. Faith support is available and opt-in.

Do you publish survivor stories?

Only with consent and without identifying details.

How do you measure success?

Faster tip-to-safe times, strong 30, 90, and 180 day retention, higher transitions to Restoration, certifications and employment, stable housing, lower recidivism, and revenue from profit centers that offsets operating costs.

Contact and Legal

General: info@wefightmonsters.org • (###) ###-####


Partner Hotline for LE and providers: (###) ###-####


Media and Major Gifts: development@yourdomain.org


EIN: [####] • Reports and policies available on our Impact page

We Fight Monsters

Together we will rescue, recover, and restore.