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
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, and 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.
History
In 2017, Resilience Rising opened a residential childcare facility (RCCF) licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services to serve female-identifying survivors of trafficking and exploitation ages 11-21. In 2020, at the height of a global pandemic, Resilience Rising decided to close its residential program in Colorado to relocate to the ocean in California. Simultaneously, we expanded our services to include community-based alumnae mentoring for survivors who have been through our residential program, providing life-long access to social recovery capital, case management, and crisis support. For more on our residential program, click here.
Project
Resilience Rising's pro bono mentoring program provides ongoing supportive services remotely and in person as well as twenty-four hour crisis support.
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; and celebration of milestones and holidays.
Remote ongoing supportive services include: support navigating systems (healthcare, child welfare, higher learning); financial education around bank accounts, taxes, insurance; problem solving healthcare needs of client, child(ren), and pets; referrals to mental health and substance abuse treatment; locating long-term housing options for client and child(ren); developing relapse prevention plans around substance abuse and commercial sexual exploitation; connecting with legal resources; accessing appropriate educational and vocational services; coping ahead regarding interaction with toxic family or triggering dates like anniversaries and holidays.
Remote crisis intervention includes: assessing for suicidality and safety; providing support during a relapse resulting in hospitalization; safety planning in abusive relationships; navigating options during an unplanned pregnancy; locating emergency housing options for client and child(ren); reporting to Child Protective Services when necessary; etcetera. Access to this twenty-four hour support has been a lifeline for young survivors navigating society independently.
For more on our mentoring program, click here.
Objectives
Using a harm reduction approach, evidence-based interventions, and a continuum of care model, we aim to equip survivors with coping and life skills needed to break intergenerational cycles of abuse and trauma. With an ultimate goal of increasing a client’s social recovery capital, we can reduce the vulnerability and risk factors for recidivism of substance use, homelessness, survival sex, and sexual exploitation. For more on our interventions, click here.
Fight Trafficking
Visit our website. Read our blog. Follow us on Facebook. Shop our store.