What is The Tree House?

The Tree House seeks to provide a holistic approach in the restoration process of minor trafficking victims, acting as an outlet available for victims from the cycle of sex trafficking. Each resident will be given the time to rest, engage in a healthy and encouraging community and receive medical, clinical and basic living needs and support from the appropriate professionals.
There are residential facilities available for refugees, survivors of domestic violence, and victims of torture, but few facilities are available for victims of sex trafficking. While individuals who have suffered from sexual abuse share similar needs as trafficking survivors, the types of therapy, extremities of trauma, and timeline for recovery differ greatly. Because of their unique and highly specific post-traumatic effects, these survivors need an extended amount of healing time to fully recover from such events. Within the home setting, minor victims of domestic sex trafficking have difficulty navigating relationships and, therefore, need and are more likely to benefit froma smaller, more intimate setting. We believe survivors need not only a place to live out of harms way but, a setting to heal, grow, feel secure, experience healthy community, receive necessary services to reach mental and physical health, learn life skills, and thrive.

Progress
We have completed the research phase of The Tree House. In Spring 2014, our goals are to finalize the business plan, apply for nonprofit status and begin accepting monetary donations. To keep up with our progress, contact via email or follow The Tree House blog.

How Can I Help?

Pray for our 2014 progress Spread the word about domestic sex trafficking and The Tree House Connect us with the following resources: Accountants Attorneys Medical Professionals Partnering Buisness/ Organizations Realtors Check blog updates for information on how to donate to The Tree House

The Tree House

To provide a safe shelter of healing and restoration for women survivors of sex trafficking by means of counseling, support and encouragement in a relationship with Jesus Christ

Contact: Kate Miller and Sydney Behsore Email: oaktreehousenc@gmail.com Blog: oaktreehouse.tumblr.com

"For every survivor, a chance to dream and grow with a promise of a new life"
What is Sex Trafficking?
As defined by the U.S. Department of State, sex trafficking is, (A) a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or (B) the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."*

The Program
Residential Program: Intake, Catering to Resident, Skills Preparation, Post-program Opportunities. In addition to following policy and regulations from social services, providing necessary counseling and medical attention, meeting education requirements and creating a necessary safe environment, we will cater to the individual residents needs. The Tree House staff and supporters recognize and value each residents individuality. Projected Size: Home and Staff: 4 Survivors 2 Live-In Staff 1 Counselor 1 Case Manager 1 Program Director 1 Administrative Director 2 Executive Directors Services: Food (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Shelter Counseling (in house/out of house) Education (GED, homeschooling) Medical care (doctors, dentists, gynecologist) Social services

Projected Cost
Annual Expenses: Cost of Living: $45,000* Staff Salaries: $205,000 Total Program Expenses: $250,000 Capital Expenses: Land: purchased/donated; dependent upon location Home: purchased/donated; ~$230,000 Furniture: purchased/donated; ~$20,000 Total Capital Expenses: $250,000 + Land cost Total start-up cost of nonprofit (total annual expenses + total capital expenses):

In the United States,

over 300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked in the United States today, and the average age of entry into prostitution is 12 years old.
The Cycle of Trafficking**

$500,000 (+ Land cost)

*Barone, Theresa. "Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000: Defining the Problem and Creating a Solution, The." Temp. Int'l & Comp. LJ 17 (2003) **Gopal, PW. Personal Interview. 2010.

* based upon "Living Wage Calculation for Watauga County, NC" by Dr. Amy Glasmeier from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.