Help Trafficked Moms & Their Children
About This Campaign
We have very recently renovated and beautifully decorated a property in central Lake County, IL, and our doors are now open to clients! Our staff have been hired and trained, but we need financial support to ensure that we can continue to pay our staff who provide the care for our clients and their families well into 2020. Our focus is to house women who have been sex trafficked, with a specific emphasis on mothers who have children. We passionately believe that mom and child belong TOGETHER. Ours is only the second trafficking recovery program in the US that enables them to stay together. Other programs are now following and are seeking us out for mentorship.
Single moms can be particularly vulnerable to being manipulated into trafficking or being targeted by predators due to their desperation to provide for their kids and a lack of childcare. The BBC reported that 70% of women in prostitution and trafficking have children. Research shows that half of the children of mothers in prostitution or trafficking end up sold for sex as well. 87% of women in this life know of a child that has died. This is not OK!
We will not only be helping the moms recover, but providing prevention, a safe haven and healing for their children. Will you help protect mother and child by donating to help keep our doors open?
In Chicagoland alone, there are an estimated 16,000 to 24,000 women and girls being exploited for commercial sex. In most cases, the victim is being illegally trafficked -- forced, coerced or defrauded. The damage to the body, soul, and spirit of those who survive is often horrific and requires an intensive recovery program.
There are less than 50 residential recovery program beds in Illinois. We must add more programs to assist individuals to recover and rebuild their lives, prevent others from ending up in this traumatic and violent situation, and provide vast education so that we can all recognize the signs and help the vulnerable be rescued out of this painful life.
We are so grateful that you are considering supporting our mission to educate and engage the community, to prevent domestic commercial sexual exploitation, and to provide comprehensive restorative care to survivors.