In response to the urgent need for immediate support for survivors of domestic sex trafficking and exploitation, Hope Center Indy officially announces the launch of its new short-term housing program set to open in September 2024. Mary Nolen, the Associate Director of Hope Center Indy, states that this initiative will significantly enhance the existing services provided by Take Heart Residential to survivors.
The Take Heart Residential program currently focuses on a long-term healing journey lasting approximately 15 months. Although effective and transformative, it requires survivors to undergo a thorough intake process and demonstrate seven days of sobriety, which can be a barrier for many women who are seeking immediate help.
“Now, we’re going to be able to help women on the same day that they reach out for help. We’ll be able to invite them in for a safe night or several nights, and then, if they want, they can choose to go into our long-term care program,” says Mary.
Emergency housing programs for trafficking survivors are a pressing need within the anti-trafficking sphere, and discussions at national industry conferences often highlight the lack of such resources. Mary notes that beds in existing emergency shelters are usually at capacity, indicating a critical shortage in immediate access to safe housing for survivors across the United States.
“As we learn about women that are coming out of sex trafficking, seven days of sobriety is a long time for them, and many of them need a place now,” says Mary. This reality has paved the way for the short-term housing program, which seeks to bridge the gap between urgent need and access to long-term support.
The short-term housing program will serve as a safe place for survivors seeking refuge and where they can consider a more extended commitment to healing without the immediate pressure to decide. Survivors will have up to 60 days to review and consider their next steps, including the long-term Take Heart Residential program in the same facility.
“Survivors need to get somewhere and see a place to realize there are people out there that will help them,” Mary emphasizes.
Hope Center Indy understands that survivors need first to realize they have a choice and then find the courage to make that choice. Emergency stabilization centers serve as a crucial frontline in extending an invitation and planting the seed of self-determination for survivors. Providing immediate and short-term housing options allows survivors to realize the available options for continuous support and care, creating pathways for steady and confident steps forward in their healing.
"Many survivors need multiple encounters on the front end before moving into long-term care," continues Mary. It is essential to recognize the immense value of encouraging even the smallest steps toward a different, perhaps brighter, future.
Hope Center Indy will presumably be the first organization in the nation to provide a complete spectrum of care in one single facility. This advanced framework comprises short-term housing for immediate stabilization, long-term care to support survivors in their journey to rebuild their lives, and transitional housing that prepares survivors for their eventual return to society. This provision of services ensures that survivors have access to consistent, comprehensive support as they journey through each phase of their healing. Here's an illustration of this framework*:
*This visual is not intended to encapsulate the experiences or potential healing journeys of all survivors, as each individual's journey is unique and far from linear. Decisions made along their personal paths may differ from what is outlined here.
The expansion plan for the short-term housing program has led Hope Center Indy to increase its residential team by hiring additional staff dedicated to the residents in the short-term program. The center has welcomed four new residential technicians and one case manager, comprising three part-time and three full-time positions. Additionally, the salary of the intake coordinator and a portion of the compensation for the Take Heart administrative support person will be allocated to the short-term housing program budget.
In anticipation of the upcoming launch, Take Heart Residential staff are finalizing the details for the new dedicated floor for the short-term residential program. Set to open in September, the program will initially offer six beds, with plans to expand capacity to 10-12 beds as staffing and resources allow. Take Heart's partnership with law enforcement will also strengthen, as this program will accept 24/7 referrals from law enforcement agencies. This ensures that survivors have immediate access to protection and support at any hour during their critical time of need.
Hope Center Indy would like to invite the community to an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ribbon-cutting will take place at 11 am by the entrance facing the Freedom Barn (look for signs when you arrive.) Community members will have an opportunity to engage with the Take Heart team, explore the facility, and pray for the rooms residents will live in prior to their arrival.
“Our team has been praying about this for a while, and we feel God is moving us in this direction. We’re excited to begin working with survivors as they make that first step,” says Mary.
Hope Center Indy encourages the community to engage in various capacities to help welcome these new residents. This includes sponsoring 'safe nights' and contributing to 'Welcome Bags' for new arrivals. Click below for more insight into the new short-term housing program and discover how you can participate in this life-changing resource!
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