Outreach

Outreach

Strictly speaking organizations that focus on rescue are those groups that actively work to free victims from slavery. Often they work alongside government officials to rescue victims from those who are enslaving them. In addition to those group that do direct rescuing, we have listed organizations that offer hospi- tality or other social services to vulnerable populations as rescue agencies. These programs can be the key in “looking beneath the surface” to identify trafficked persons while at the same time they can offering the services necessary to provide freedom from their situation.

A Village For One

A Village for One is currently fundraising to build a therapeutic residence where each child has a holistic plan of care. 

Called to Rescue

Dr. Cyndi Romine started Called to Rescue in 1992 after she witnessed, first-hand, the horror of sex trafficking during a trip overseas.   Their mission is to prevent the abduction of children into the sex trafficking behemoth through training, safe houses and education, as well as the rescue of those already held prisoner, by all means available.

Compassion First

Compassion First is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, providing long-term, hope-filled solutions for survivors of child sexual trafficking. We have a global vision, providing services to the world’s most vulnerable in one of the most under-served regions of the world. Compassion First’s primary operations are provided through Ruth’s House, the first full service aftercare facility for sexually trafficked girls in Indonesia.

Compassion2one

Compassion2one is a Seattle based non-profit organization involved in every part of the rescue process.  We firmly believe that something must be done in our own country to stop child sexual exploitation here.  We hold information sessions in local communities to increase awareness of the child abduction and sex trafficking that exists in the US, and we have launched the Certified Trainer Program to teach, train, and certify volunteers in local communities on how to take action toward a solution.

Girls Educational and Mentoring Services

The mission of the Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) is to empower young women, ages 12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. 

International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission (IJM) is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems.

Local “Drop In” Centers: My Mother’s House, Rahab’s Sisters and Scarlet Cord

My Mother’s House is a hospitality outreach that was begun in May 2010 by a group of volunteers. They are seeking to target prostituted mothers and their children. Rahab’s Sisters is a hospitality outreach sponsored by a partnership of Portland area Episcopal churches and Imago Dei.  They seek to provide compassionate hospitality and a supportive environment to women marginalized by sexual exploitation, substance abuse and homelessness.  Scarlet Cord is a drop in center that meets in NE Portland on Friday evenings.  They offer a home-cooked meal and, when available, hygiene and clothing items to women and children who are sexually exploited.

Outreach and Support to Special Immigrants Population Catholic Charities of Oregon

Outreach and Support to Special Immigrants Population (OSSIP) is a comprehensive assistance program for foreign-born survivors of human trafficking supported by Catholic Charities in Oregon.  OSSIP provides intensive case management and legal services to survivors of human trafficking, to aid survivors in successfully navigating all aspects of the U.S. legal and social services system, with the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency and self-empowerment for the survivor.

Portland's Human Trafficking Task Force

The Oregon Human Trafficking Task Force (OHTTF) was first funded in 2005 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Shared Hope International

Shared Hope International (SHI) exists to prevent, rescue and restore women and children in crisis. They have gained a reputation for prompting legal and political reform against trafficking, and have expertise in restoring women and children worldwide.  They are also leaders in a worldwide effort to prevent and eradicate sex trafficking and slavery through education and public awareness.

Transitional Youth

Transitional Youth was founded in 1991 by Bert E. Waugh, Jr., President of Prudential Northwest Properties, in response to the desperate needs of homeless youth.  This faith based, non-profit organization was created to bring meaningful assistance to local, homeless youth.  In 2004 they created their first transitional home for homeless youth in Portland. Since then, they have opened another home in Vancouver and a rural "Home on the Range" near Battle Ground, Washington. Under the loving guidance of a caring “parent” who also holds a strong faith in God, the homes serve several youth at a given time. All residents are required to either be involved in educational programs or employed.  In the future, Transitional Youth hopes to add more transitional homes in the Portland/Vancouver area. 

Youth Guidance Association

Youth Guidance Association (YGA) is licensed by the State of Oregon as a Residential Treatment Program and is a member of the Oregon Alliance of Children's Programs. Their first program, Son Village, was established as a boys’ residential treatment program in the late 1960's as a division of Youth for Christ. In 1972, at the request of Children's Services Division, YGA started a program for girls, Turning Point. Later on they began to run a long term treatment program, Charis Ridge, for boys referred by the Oregon Youth Authority. Two programs for boys currently exist, Son Village and Charis Ridge.