Awareness

Walk a Mile In Her Shoes Awareness Event, June 2009

Theresa Flores, Director or Awareness and Training has reached 2 Million across the United States, including 1 million in Ohio on the topic of Human Trafficking. Sample touchpoints include:

• Public Speaking
  Zonta Event – November 2009
  Trafficking Conference with CORRC – June 2009
• TV Appearances
  Today Show Appearance – February 2009
  MSNBC Special – February 2009
• Newspaper Articles
  Columbus Dispatchs – January 2009
• Magazine Articles
  614 Magazine – October 2009
• Radio Appearances
• Journal Entries

*Note, this list highlights exceptional events, and is not a complete list of awareness initiatives.

Training

Gracehaven has been partnering with local comunity leaders and direct service providers to train and equip them to better serve victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in Central Ohio. Organizations that have, or currently are involved with training are:

• Ohio Commission
• Healthcare Professionals
• Franklin County Children’s Services
• Foster Parents
• Other Social Agencies

Saving Lives

We have already been contacted by 5 girls who have experienced being trafficked. To meet the needs of these girls we have hired Megan Crawford, liscenced social worker, to provide counseling and other healing resources for these girls.

We aim to be able to provide a safe housing option for girls under the age of eighteen by July 2010. To this aim, we have purchased a house and property outside of Columbus, and are in the process of renovating it to become a safe and welcoming environment for these girls. Our program will include a safe home, education, counseling, mentoring, life skills development, and exposure to the healing Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The cost of the house is $200,000, with another $150,000 for renovations. We estimate a total budget of $1.6 Million to deliver on these services until 2012.