Gracehaven has purchased the house!
July 7, 2009 by Jeff Barrows
Filed under Fundraising Progress, Gracehaven Updates, House Progress
After looking carefully at this house for the past 6 months or so, Gracehaven has made the decision to go ahead and purchase the house pictured to the left. The house is located NW of Columbus, and we are excited to share the news with everyone! Please continue to pray for us as we raise the money necessary to renovate the house to bring it up to the code necessary to qualify for licensing as a group home in the state of Ohio. We estimate the total cost to be about $150,000!
We are now beginning to raise funds for the house renovation and already have pledged $10,000 from the Soroptimist International Club of Columbus!
Praise the Lord!
Thank God these services are being offered! This subject is close to my heart and it is so sad that society is ignoring this very important issue. I have a 12 year old daughter and can’t imagine the mulittude of effects this has on the children who are being exploited. I hope to see this type of program in other states. If anyone knows of a program such as this in NJ, let me know – I’d be very interested in volunteering. I will keep these children in my prayers.
Lois-
I do know of a church in Red Bank New Jersey that is starting to raise awareness and look into shelter needs in that area. It is called Relevant. Their website is: http://relevantnj.com/.
Thanks for your prayers!
Jeff
IF YOU ARE EVER INTERESTED IN ANOTHER GROUP HOME I HAVE ONE FOR SALE. IT IS IN FRANKLIN COUNTY BUT I A RUUAL AREA AND IT HAS 9 BEDROOMS 4 BATHS A FULL BASEMENT ON 5 3/4 ACRES.
I assume you may know this already but from what we have heard about trafficking, it could be dangerous to make the whereabouts of a safe house publicly known. There are times that perpetrators of trafficking will pursue these women and they need an unknown location where they can be completly safe from harm. It is very exciting that your organization has purchased a house and the only reason I am saying this is that even a picture could be potentially dangerous and I have the same heart that you do to provide a place where these women can be safe and find healing.
Secondly, we are involved in an organization in Chicago that is making efforts to bring an end to human trafficking here in Chicago. We are in very early stages and we would like to see this organization go towards providing safe houses as your organization is doing. We would love to know all about how you got started and what you are doing to make this work. It would be awesome if we could even get someone from Gracehaven to come talk at one of our meetings. The organization is called Traffick Free. We are also on Facebook so we could connect through that too.
Thank you!! It’s awesome what you are doing for these teens in Ohio! Praise the Lord for your work!
Tracy
The website for Traffick Free is http://www.traffickfree.org
Tracy- Thanks for your comments. I’ve written a separate email back to you and look forward to hearing more about what you are doing in Chicago! I looked at your website…congratulations on connecting with IJM and Gary!
Jeff
I am so this is happening.