The Sanctuary Became a Reality in 2022

Sometimes it felt like the dream of The Sanctuary would never become a reality. During the pandemic, we were not able to move forward with many of our programs, but our team remained hard at work creating a world-class program.

In 2021, we said yes to many new opportunities and saw more survivors freed! Then, this year, The Sanctuary was finally ready!

We paid off The Sanctuary in full! We also received the accreditation and licensing to be involved in social services in Romania and as a center for assistance and protection of victims of human trafficking. Because of the generosity of donors, we were able to: upgrade the equine therapy facilities, get new showers, install heating and AC, update the electrical system, refurbish the kitchen, and install a ropes course. We have new, comfortable furniture and new storage in our laundry and art rooms. Just recently, our outdoor facilities team received new garden equipment and a tractor to assist in log cutting and tending to our orchards and gardens. They are overjoyed!

Our first survivors arrived on the property this year and the transformation we are seeing in them is even more amazing than any improvements to The Sanctuary. One of the girls told us, “you really made this place feel like a home, and made us feel attracted to it. To come here is like coming home.”

Because of people just like you, we’ve been able to say yes to the transformations that need to happen. We’ve been able to see The Sanctuary become a place of healing.

The Sanctuary in Romania is a big part of how we’re unlocking the cage to start healing in Romania. But we want to see slavery eradicated on a global scale! Learn more about how we’re doing that in our new brochure! There are so many more possibilities waiting to be unlocked!

Through the Sanctuary model, our mission is to care for thousands of survivors. Will you help us make that possible? If you're reading this online, subscribe here so you don't miss the exciting updates we're sending in the next few weeks!

The Freedom Highway is Blowing Past Borders

God led us to Romania as a strategic location. It is a primary source country for trafficking in all of Europe. Over the last few years, the need has only increased. Yet, we have seen time and again how the Freedom Highway leads to Romania, too! We’ve seen how we are here in this place for such a time as this.

This year, we were able to build the programs and infrastructure of The Sanctuary to serve survivors. Beyond that, when the war broke out in Ukraine, we were positioned to respond. The reality of the war in Ukraine has resulted in millions of women and children fleeing their homes. Many of these refugees remain in Romania. Read how we’re seeing the local community take action.

One man who fled Ukraine and we were able to assist at the Sanctuary is now back in Ukraine. He is ready and willing to coordinate efforts against trafficking in his own country, now even more vulnerable to traffickers. “I know why God brought me there to the Sanctuary,” he told us, “to open the way to serve more people.”

We’re beginning to see opportunities for the expansion of the Freedom Highway into neighboring countries. The projects are blowing past borders!

Will you be a part of this vast anti-trafficking network? Will you say yes to being the key that ends slavery?

Stabilization is an Essential Part of Trauma Healing (and here’s how we’re preparing our programs)

Recently, members of our team met with officials from governments, universities, and other NGOs working with vulnerable populations in and near Romania. Then they visited the Sanctuary to meet with four new staff members and complete more in-depth training in preparation for the implementation of our stabilization program. This program includes 12 weeks of residential care and requires a trained day program and overnight staff. As a stabilization site for rescued sex trafficking victims, our staff supports up to 12 survivors in residential care. 24 hours a day, our program director and clinical team are able to support women as they transition from a life of slavery to a life of freedom.

Training for the staff running these programs includes subjects such as trauma-informed care, boundaries, crisis response, and traditional policies and procedures. More training will happen later this year as the success of the clinical program will depend on our continued revising and honing of the day-to-day activities for survivors. We are also seeing the doors opening for trauma conferences and training in neighboring countries where important anti-trafficking work is being developed.

We are working on building a library for our staff as they continue to hone their skills in trauma-informed care. Here are a few books in Romanian we will be adding to the library soon (link to PDF). Your support allows us to provide these essential resources, staff, and training to support survivors every step of the way through their transformation. When you donate, you stock the library, support the staff, and change the lives of precious souls rescued from trafficking. Thank you!

If you would like to learn more about trauma and how stabilization programs will be transformational, here are some recommended resources for you:

• The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk (2014)

• Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors – Janine Fisher (2016)

• When the Body Says No – Gabor Mate (2003)

• Restoring the Shattered Self – Heather Gingrich (2013)

• Boundaries — Dr. Henry Cloud (1992)

(These are just a few books on the list. Our Key Holders, monthly partners, received a full list. Want more resources like this? Become a Key Holder today!)

Would you help us provide the wrap-around care healing survivors need? Donate today and be the key that unlocks transformation!