Five years ago today, the Off the StreetsSM program opened with its first client, Sheena. Since then, over 400 women have found hope and taken positive steps to escape prostitution. We have learned as much as our clients during that growth.
In five years, we have increased staff, added emergency shelter beds, added new funding streams, and become a nationally awarded program. This means we can continue to serve more and more women for many years to come, women like Annie, whose mother sold her to men when she was six. And Amanda who started in prostitution to support her family. Today, Annie is working and has her own apartment. Amanda has been in the program 30 days and she has found support in the recovery community and re-connected with her children.
Thank you to everyone who has made our first five years so wonderful and so impactful in the lives of women!