Residential Treatment for Survivors

Mission

Resilience Rising combats the commercial sexual exploitation of children and women in the United States by providing residential and mentoring programs with opportunities for safety, healing, and empowerment. For more on our mission, click here.

Need Statement

Sexual exploitation is inherently a system of gender-based inequality and violence, existing at the intersection of sexism, racism, and classism. The sex trade preys upon marginalized populations like homeless youth, foster youth, and sexual minorities as well as vulnerable women - those with histories of sexual abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, disabilities, immigration status. Ongoing research illuminates that the vast majority of those in the sex trade want to leave but lack the options, resources, and agency to safely and successfully exit. For more on commercial sexual exploitation in the United States, click here.

Project

Resilience Rising’s adult residential facility (ARF) will serve female-identifying survivors of sexual exploitation, trafficking, and the sex trade. The six-bed facility will provide 24-hour care, supervision, and treatment for young adults ages 18-25 with mental and behavioral health needs. It will be licensed through the California Department of Social Services. For more on our residential program, click here.

Capital Project Cost

Organizational Capacity

For three years in Colorado, Resilience Rising ran a licensed residential childcare facility (RCCF) serving nearly forty youth ages 11-21 who were survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Our program provided basic needs like shelter, food, clothing, and hygiene; mental health treatment including individual therapy and group therapies like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma-informed yoga, art, writing, and music; educational and vocational programming; case management; coordination of healthcare needs; and legal advocacy. In 2020, as the COVID pandemic began to breed in vulnerable residential care communities, Resilience Rising made the decision to close the residential program in Colorado and relocate it to the ocean in southern California. 

During its relocation, Resilience Rising temporarily shifted focus from residential programming to expanding its community-based programming. We now offer alumnae mentoring to survivors who have passed through our residential program. Our community-based mentoring services provide basic needs like food, clothing, and hygiene supplies; enhancement of independent living skills; case management for housing resources, employment, transportation, medical care, substance abuse, and mental health; academic tutoring and school supplies like laptops; parenting support and baby supplies like diapers; legal advocacy; celebration of milestones; and twenty-four-hour crisis support. For more on our mentoring program, click here.

"Thank you for all you do, not just for me but for the world and many girls. Before I came to you my life was shattered. I was lost, scared, and losing faith. RR staff encouraged me, supported me, and understood me in ways no one ever did before. I suddenly wasn’t alone. Thank you for not giving up on me and having the patience you did with me. Through your work and efforts, I gained hope in my future. You made a difference that forever changed my life. I know you will continue to do the same for many other girls." 

~ 19yo alumna of residential program