Projects | Timeasmarket

Ashley Jalbert was a Canadian girl from Sudbury and the daughter of Yvette Jalbert. She was a happy, healthy student; a loving daughter and sister; and cared deeply for animals, her friends, and her community. In her youth, Ashley developed a rare medical condition that forced her to pause her education and put her dreams on hold. When she was most vulnerable, a sex trafficking gang from Toronto targeted and trafficked her for a short time. After she escaped, the traffickers found her and threatened her to keep her from going to the police. While she was trying to stay safe, she was lured away from home, and the next day her mother received devastating news.

Ashley became a victim of sex trafficking at a time when there was little awareness, education, or support for victims. Her family now works to raise awareness so other parents do not have to experience what they did. Timea was deeply affected by Yvette’s story and began her anti-trafficking work eight months after Ashley passed away. Ashley’s story continues to inspire her to raise awareness for parents and caregivers.

Michelle Furgiuele is a survivor from Oakville, Ontario. At 15, she was targeted on social media by Canadian traffickers. Growing up in a large family with a busy hockey schedule, she often helped her mom by caring for her siblings. When she met the traffickers, she was young and vulnerable, with no education or prevention resources available about what human trafficking was.

She believed she had made new friends who seemed older and cooler and had cars and that she was just going out for fun. But soon, the demands began, and she quickly found herself trapped. She attended school during the day, but after school, the traffickers picked her up and forced her to work as a sex worker until evening.

She didn’t understand what was happening or know whom to turn to for help. Eventually, her mom learned about Timea and her agency and reached out. Over the next ten years, Michelle moved in and out of "the game" until, with support, she was finally able to leave for good. She found a job at a restaurant, worked her way up to general manager, and later became Timea’s Market production manager, helping with strategy, recipes, and packaging. Michelle now works as a peer support worker, speaker, and educator, raising awareness in schools and school boards across Ontario.

She is also a proud mother of two and is committed to her healing journey and advocacy work.

Michael Josifovic worked as a police officer and detective in Toronto’s Morality Unit. He was part of Project Almonzo. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, this project focused on the early stages of sex trafficking. Thousands of Eastern European girls were brought in on stripper visas. At the time, there were no human trafficking laws or awareness programs—people simply called it exploitation.

During this period, Timea was trafficked and worked in strip clubs while police raids were ongoing. Her club was never targeted. With help from Canadians, she escaped. Then she hid from traffickers and immigration authorities for over eight months. In that long stretch, always looking over her shoulder, she hadn’t slept well in a year. She weighed only 80 pounds and struggled with several health problems, without support. Eventually, after months in hiding, she met Mike Josifovic.

Despite the lack of training or even a recognized term for human trafficking, Mike listened to her story. He trusted his instincts. His compassion and dedication were just what Timea needed.

She calls Mike her saviour because he supported every step of her recovery. He answered her calls at 3 am. He visited her in the hospital. He helped her move. He celebrated her birthday. He even walked her down the aisle at her wedding. He calls her T and to this day is the first to offer "fatherly" advise if T ever needs it. :-)

Phil G. was a dedicated Durham Regional Police officer who later joined the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). He was a key member of Durham Police's first pilot human trafficking investigative unit back in 2012. Early in his career, Phil exhibited a remarkable passion for combating human trafficking. Alongside an incredible team, the unit quickly adapted and mastered the intricacies of investigating this emerging crime, always with a victim-centered approach.

Phil was well known for his ability to earn victims’ trust, a skill that made a lasting impact on many lives. Timea had the honor of collaborating with the unit during those years as a mobile crisis victim support worker. Together, they navigated numerous emotional calls and volatile cases, forging strong bonds and deepening their commitment to the cause.

One quirky and memorable detail about Phil? You'd never see him without chapstick in hand! It was almost a trademark of his. So, when the time came to name our organic watermelon lip balm, it became an easy choice to honour him. After all, who better to test the quality of a lip balm than the man who’s practically a connoisseur of Chapstick? With Phil’s full support, we're confident this lip balm will bring the same comfort to others as he brings to victims during their toughest times—plus, it’s just plain fun to think of Phil as our official lip balm tester!

Timea met Ashley when she was 18 years old. She had the most expressive and honest brown eyes.

Street smart and wise beyond her years, she possessed a spicy yet loving nature, always kind at heart.

Ashley has a great sense of humour that still shines today. Having been trafficked at a young age in downtown Toronto, she learned the skills necessary to survive the harsh realities of her circumstances.

Many years ago, she embarked on her healing journey and became one of the original members of the core group that created the early recipes for Timea’s Market. (And she LOVES bunnies.)

We named our body butter after her because her skin is SOOO VERY SOFT. ;-)

Eve’s Shampoo, MaryAnn’s Conditioner

Named after Eve Nayton and MaryAnn Grippi

After escaping trafficking and meeting Mike, Timea felt motivated to rebuild her life. However, finding work in Canada without local experience proved to be quite a challenge. She spent days wandering the streets of Toronto, resume in hand, struggling with her English and knocking on doors at various businesses. Despite her exhaustion and blisters, a glimmer of hope appeared when she stepped into a vibrant hair salon on Bloor Street. The colorful decor and pleasant scents filled the air, instantly lifting her spirits.

Inside, Timea met Eve, one of the salon owners. When Eve asked about Timea's experience, she replied honestly that she had none. Just as she was about to leave, Eve called for her partner, MaryAnn. MaryAnn took a quick glance at Timea’s shoes, whispered something to Eve, and then walked back inside.

To Timea’s surprise, she was hired the very next day, all thanks to her clean shoes. She spent two fulfilling years at the salon, immersed in a culture of art and jazz. Most importantly, she felt safe and loved, thanks to the care and mentorship of Eve and MaryAnn. Timea refers to them as her chosen mothers and relies on their love and wisdom whenever she needs support. Every year, she celebrates Mother’s Day with them.

After some twists and turns, it was decided to name the shampoo and conditioner after Eve and MaryAnn. They had not only run a successful hair salon for over 40 years but had also provided safety and love for a survivor of human trafficking when she needed it the most. Interestingly, they had no idea about Timea's past struggles; they simply knew she was going through a rough patch. To Timea, they are her “angels without wings.”