CJ Dunning – From Athlete to Advocate: A Journey of Passion and Purpose

CJ Dunning exemplifies resilience and versatility, excelling in sports and beyond with unwavering determination.

CJ Dunning’s story is one of both athletic achievement and unwavering dedication to protecting vulnerable children. As a professional athlete, CJ has excelled in a wide range of sports, from soccer and tennis to wrestling and football, gaining recognition for her strength and determination in male-dominated arenas. However, her journey took a profound turn in 2020 when she founded Our Town Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing human trafficking and finding missing children.

Balancing her past success in sports with her passion for advocacy, CJ has redefined what it means to be resilient. She has carried the discipline and drive from her athletic career into the world of nonprofit work, where she now devotes herself to helping families in crisis. Through her foundation, CJ works tirelessly to support law enforcement and bring missing children home, demonstrating a commitment to her mission that goes far beyond the field. Her story is one of passion, purpose, and the relentless pursuit of protecting those who need it most.

Athletic Beginnings

CJ Dunning’s athletic journey began at an early age, with a natural talent for sports that shaped much of her life. Growing up, she played soccer for eight years and excelled in tennis throughout high school, demonstrating her competitive spirit across multiple arenas. But it wasn’t until later, during her time in college, that CJ transitioned into more physically demanding sports, marking the beginning of her career in full-contact athletics.

Originally a high school cheerleader, CJ’s path took a surprising turn when she auditioned for WWE/NXT and discovered her passion for wrestling. Despite never having wrestled before, she embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, quickly falling in love with the sport. Wrestling soon led her to football, where she played as a cornerback and safety in the LFL, further proving her ability to thrive in male-dominated sports.

Competing in these traditionally masculine sports shaped CJ’s character, fostering a deep respect for mutual strength and discipline. “You learn to appreciate, value, and respect one another, and there’s really nothing that you can’t do,” she reflects. Her experience in these environments taught her resilience and the importance of pushing her own boundaries, skills she would later carry into her work as an advocate for at-risk youth.

The Turning Point: From Sports to Advocacy

While CJ Dunning had built a successful career in sports, a pivotal moment during the COVID-19 pandemic shifted her focus in a profound way. With the world at a standstill, CJ found herself confronted with unsettling information about the realities of human trafficking, particularly how it happens in local communities rather than in distant, foreign lands as many might assume. “I was introduced to the reality of trafficking... and I built this strong passion, having seen some of the material as a witness and needing to do something,” she recalls.

Fueled by a growing sense of responsibility, CJ made the bold decision to pivot from her sports career and channel her energy into advocacy. In 2020, she founded Our Town Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed at preventing human trafficking and recovering missing children. With little experience in this field, CJ dove in headfirst, determined to make a difference. Her first case involved helping to locate a missing girl in New York. Through collaboration with law enforcement and her own investigative efforts, CJ’s work led to the child’s successful recovery. “After I did one, I thought, okay, so it can be done. Let’s do it again and again,” CJ says, reflecting on the moment that solidified her new purpose.

That first case confirmed CJ’s belief that she could make a real impact. From then on, she committed herself fully to the mission of protecting children, using the same resilience and determination she had honed as an athlete to fuel her advocacy work. This turning point marked the beginning of a new chapter in CJ’s life—one that would focus on service, courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice for the most vulnerable.

CJ Dunning in action on the football field, bringing her A-game with intensity and skill.

The Challenges of Nonprofit Work

Running a nonprofit dedicated to finding missing children and preventing human trafficking has presented CJ Dunning with a unique set of challenges, many of which she couldn’t have anticipated. Navigating the complexities of working with parents, law enforcement, and communities has tested her in ways that even her toughest athletic endeavors did not. For CJ, speaking with parents who are in the depths of despair—desperately searching for their missing children—is often the most emotionally draining part of the job. “They’re in this desperate state of needing to find their kid, and it’s hard to talk with them,” she explains, acknowledging how difficult it can be to provide comfort in such heart-wrenching circumstances.

In addition to the emotional strain, CJ also faces logistical hurdles when working alongside law enforcement. While some officers are welcoming and open to collaboration, others are more hesitant. “Law enforcement... sometimes they’ve been accepting and inviting, and in other ways, not so much,” CJ shares, recognizing the need for patience and persistence in these partnerships. Fundraising, too, is a constant battle. Like many nonprofits, Our Town Foundation relies on donations and support from the community, and keeping the organization financially stable is another ongoing challenge.

To cope with the heavy emotional burden, CJ turns to her faith for strength. Knowing that her work requires immense emotional resilience, she prays for what she calls emotional armor. “I ask God to armor me in emotional strength... It’s not that it doesn’t bother me, but the reward in the end outweighs the pain,” she says. While the work takes a toll on her, CJ finds comfort in knowing that her efforts are helping families through their darkest moments. She also relies on her own inner strength, drawing on the discipline she developed as an athlete to stay focused and continue moving forward.

Despite these challenges, CJ remains unwavering in her commitment. For her, every difficult conversation, sleepless night, and personal sacrifice is worth it if it means bringing a child home.

The Role of Faith and Passion

At the heart of CJ Dunning’s advocacy work is a deep and abiding faith that guides her through the many challenges she faces. As she encounters some of the darkest realities of human trafficking and missing children, her spiritual beliefs have become a source of strength, helping her stay grounded and resilient. “I ask God to armor me in emotional strength,” CJ says, recognizing that her work requires a level of fortitude that few can truly understand. This faith allows her to remain focused on the bigger picture, even when the emotional toll feels overwhelming.

CJ’s journey with faith has not always been straightforward. Growing up in a Christian household, she was raised with strong religious values but admits that she pushed away from Christianity for a time, even identifying as an atheist during certain periods of her life. It wasn’t until she encountered the harsh realities of human trafficking and the evil that accompanies it that she rediscovered her faith. “Looking so much evil in the face... one side has to exist. You can’t have one without the other,” CJ reflects, explaining how the presence of darkness made her believe more deeply in the light.

Since returning to her faith, CJ has embraced her spiritual beliefs not only as a source of comfort but as a driving force in her mission. She believes her work is a calling, one that requires sacrifice but also brings immense rewards. Her faith keeps her strong in the face of personal sacrifices, including strained relationships and the emotional impact of constantly dealing with difficult cases. Through every obstacle, CJ leans on her faith and passion to keep her going, determined to continue her mission to protect and serve those who need it most.

For CJ, faith and passion are intertwined, fueling her relentless dedication to her nonprofit work. Despite the challenges, she believes she is exactly where she needs to be, and her faith assures her that every case, every child found, is a step toward fulfilling her greater purpose.

CJ Dunning, a versatile athlete, demonstrating her strength and determination as she continues to push boundaries in sports.

Overcoming Obstacles and Building a Legacy

CJ Dunning’s journey as a nonprofit founder has been anything but easy. In addition to the emotional toll of her work, CJ has faced personal and professional sacrifices, including strained relationships and criticism from those who don’t understand the gravity of her mission. The demands of running Our Town Foundation have left little room for personal relationships, and CJ acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining close connections while dedicating her life to such an intense cause. “It’s hard for someone to understand the demand of my schedule or that in the middle of the night, I might have to get up and do something,” she admits, reflecting on how her work has impacted her personal life.

Beyond the personal sacrifices, CJ has also faced external opposition, including threats from individuals who seek to undermine her efforts. In one instance, she encountered backlash after exposing disturbing activity involving an influencer, a case that resulted in attempts to intimidate her into stopping her work. However, CJ remains steadfast. “I’ve had to accept that it’s going to come with hate, attacks, and threats,” she says, emphasizing that these obstacles won’t deter her from her mission. For CJ, the needs of the vulnerable—those who cannot speak for themselves—far outweigh the personal challenges she faces. She has learned when to speak up and when to stay silent, choosing her battles carefully but always keeping the bigger picture in mind: protecting children and preventing further harm.

Despite these challenges, Our Town Foundation has grown steadily, thanks in large part to the support of key individuals who believe in CJ’s vision. One such individual is Julie Miller, CJ’s business manager, who has been instrumental in turning Our Town Foundation into a legitimate nonprofit organization. Julie’s guidance helped CJ navigate the complexities of running a nonprofit, from legal requirements to building a sustainable business model. Together, they have built a foundation that not only addresses immediate needs but also works toward long-term solutions in the fight against human trafficking.

CJ’s determination, combined with the support of those who share her passion, has enabled Our Town Foundation to thrive. While the road has been difficult, CJ’s legacy is already taking shape—one built on resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. As she continues to overcome obstacles, both personal and professional, CJ remains focused on leaving a lasting impact, knowing that each step forward is a step toward a safer world for vulnerable children.

Looking to the Future: Goals and Aspirations

As CJ Dunning looks to the future, her vision for Our Town Foundation continues to grow. One of her key goals is to work more closely with law enforcement, establishing stronger partnerships that will allow her foundation to be a more effective resource for recovering missing children. CJ believes that the collaboration between nonprofits like hers and law enforcement agencies is critical to ensuring quicker and safer recoveries. Her aim is to expand the foundation’s reach, offering support to overburdened law enforcement agencies while maintaining the integrity and dedication that have defined her work so far. “The whole point is to become a partner or a tool or resource for law enforcement, not competition,” CJ emphasizes, always placing the safety and well-being of the children as her top priority.

In addition to growing the foundation, CJ also seeks to find a balance between her professional mission and her personal life. While Our Town Foundation remains at the forefront of her priorities, CJ is eager to reconnect with her love for sports and personal interests like snowboarding. Balancing such a demanding nonprofit with her own passions has been challenging, but CJ understands the importance of maintaining her own well-being in order to continue her advocacy work effectively.

What drives CJ forward is the impact of every successful case—the joy of reuniting a child with their family and the knowledge that her work is making a real difference. Each recovery reinforces her belief in the importance of her mission and the need for more people willing to take risks and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. “I think the biggest thing that will make you successful... is trying,” CJ reflects. For her, it’s about showing up, taking action, and being willing to push through the hardships in order to protect the vulnerable.

CJ’s long-term vision is to create a world where her foundation can help reduce the number of missing children and prevent human trafficking on a larger scale. She understands the enormity of the task but remains undeterred, committed to growing Our Town Foundation into a force that can enact real change. As she moves forward, CJ’s goals are clear: expand the foundation’s influence, build stronger partnerships, and continue to be a beacon of hope for families in need.

Leaving a Legacy

As CJ Dunning reflects on her journey, she hopes to be remembered for more than just her athletic accomplishments. While her success in sports is certainly a significant part of her story, CJ’s true legacy lies in her willingness to take action and make a difference, even when the path ahead is difficult. "I don’t ever expect to be remembered as the person who did it all, but if people remember that I tried, that would be enough," CJ says. For her, the act of trying—of being willing to step up and take risks—is what defines true success.

CJ’s belief in the power of action has guided her throughout her life, whether on the field or in the fight to protect children. She understands that the challenges she faces, both personally and professionally, are daunting, but her courage to continue pushing forward is what sets her apart. "The more good you try to do, the more bad reactions you’ll get," she acknowledges, yet she remains undeterred, knowing that the work she does is vital.

Her continuing journey of service, growth, and advocacy is far from over. CJ is committed to expanding Our Town Foundation and deepening her impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families. With every case she takes on, CJ reaffirms her mission to be a force for good in the world, driven by her faith, passion, and determination. As she looks ahead, CJ’s legacy will be one of resilience, compassion, and the courage to act—qualities that will inspire others to follow in her footsteps.

If you believe you are a victim of human trafficking or may have information about a potential trafficking situation, please contact the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

Follow CJ Dunning on Instagram, Operation Under Ceej, and Our Town Foundation.

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