Carissa Phelps

Carissa Phelps is an attorney, youth advocate, and author known for her 2012 memoir "Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets, One Helping Hand at a Time," which chronicles her journey from homeless teenage runaway to law school graduate. After experiencing trafficking and homelessness as a youth in California's Central Valley, Phelps went on to earn her JD/MBA from UCLA. She has dedicated her career to advocating for homeless and trafficked youth, working as both a legal advocate and public speaker on these issues. Phelps founded Runaway Girl, FPC, a training and consulting organization that provides education about human trafficking and employs survivors in outreach efforts. Her work has been featured in multiple documentaries, including "Carissa," which won the NCCD Media for a Just Society Award. Through her advocacy work and personal story, Phelps has influenced policy discussions around youth homelessness and trafficking at both state and national levels. She continues to work with law enforcement, social service providers, and community organizations to develop more effective responses to youth exploitation.

Readers respond strongly to Phelps' memoir "Runaway Girl," appreciating her raw honesty in documenting her journey from exploitation to law school graduate. Many reviews note the book's impact in humanizing trafficking survivors and highlighting systemic issues. Liked: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Educational value about trafficking realities - Message of resilience and transformation - Practical insights for social workers/counselors Disliked: - Some found early chapters difficult to read due to content - A few readers wanted more detail about her recovery process - Questions about memory reliability in early childhood sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (280+ ratings) Common reader comment themes focus on the book's use in social work education and its role in increasing awareness of child trafficking. Multiple reviews mention using the text in university courses or professional training programs.

Runaway Girl: Escaping Life on the Streets (2012) A memoir detailing Phelps' experiences as a homeless youth in California's Central Valley, her eventual rescue by a counselor, and her journey to becoming an attorney and youth advocate.