When the Tampa Bay community comes together, meaningful change can happen.
Jaime and Tami Kent, co-founders of The No More Foundation, see that firsthand. Their latest project, Harbor House, is a prime example. Designed to serve women who have survived human trafficking, the home will provide an initial safe space where survivors can be assessed and begin their healing journey before moving into long-term housing. The Kents expect it to open by early June.
Bringing Harbor House to life has been a collaborative effort, including support from Fresh Coat Painters of North Tampa. Owner Matt Boden connected with The No More Foundation through a mutual acquaintance. Once he learned about the project, he didn’t hesitate to get involved.
“We try to give back to different parts of Tampa and different causes,” Boden said. “This one hit home. I have relatives who’ve gone through situations like this, so it was very easy to lend a helping hand.”
Boden and his team painted the home’s exterior pro bono, as part of their quarterly community service project.
“The main goal, when we stepped in, was to take care of the exterior paint,” he said. “We wanted to help move things along so women could start moving in.”
For Tami Kent, Boden’s contribution reflects the larger community coming together for a shared purpose.
“The women coming out of these situations are vulnerable, often because they didn’t have a community around them,” she said. “By showing up, Matt and Fresh Coat Painters helped prepare a place not just for healing and restoration, but for women to be surrounded by people who care.”
A fresh coat of paint, she added, can do more than improve appearances — it can communicate dignity.
“When a woman walks up and sees that someone cared enough to make it beautiful, it sends a message: You matter,” she said.
The No More Foundation has served survivors of human trafficking for more than a decade. Its origins are deeply personal — Jaime Kent was inspired to act after witnessing the abuse his sister endured.
“They’re someone’s daughter, someone’s friend,” he said. “When you start to realize it could be your kid, you can’t ignore it anymore. That’s where the name ‘No More’ comes from. It means: No more — not on my watch.”
His sister’s journey continues to fuel his commitment.
“Every time a woman reaches a milestone, I think of her,” he said. “She struggled for years, but she made it. I see her in the eyes of the women we help.”
The Kents live by a simple motto: Just say yes to making a difference.
“The issue of human trafficking can’t be solved by one person or one organization,” Tami Kent said. “It takes all of us.”
Boden’s “yes” made a direct impact on the completion of Harbor House, she added.
“It was an absolute gift,” she said. “Because of what Matt did, we’re able to move this mission forward in a real, tangible way.”
As human trafficking continues to affect communities across Florida and beyond, safe spaces like Harbor House are critical to helping survivors rebuild. Thanks to grassroots efforts and businesses like Fresh Coat Painters, more homes can become places of hope and healing.
Anyone can make a difference, the Kents said — all it takes is a willingness to say yes.
