Lubbock’s Open Door is celebrating the launch of their newest housing program, which will officially open on March 1st. There will be 20 new units which will house victims of sex trafficking.
“We have found that almost all of the women we’ve encountered on the streets have had some kind of history of being trafficked,” said Jaime Wheeler, director of Survivor Housing. “Whether as a child or as an adult, and many of the men we have worked with.”
Wheeler said these victims often have no place to call home.
“We’re gonna be supporting people to getting their own jobs, their kids going to school, just all of the things that make for a good life,” Wheeler said.
Men, women and children will be getting help through counseling and peer support, she said.
“Anytime there’s been somebody that’s been involved in sex trafficking in particular there is trauma involved,” said Elizabeth Villarreal, the Survivor Housing counselor.
However, Wheeler said all of this will take time and hopes by having these transitional spaces individuals can work on their mental and physical health.
“Our idea would be that by the end of the program people are transitioning out again into the greater community, people are giving back in the community and to find healing in a safe place,” Wheeler said.
She said she hopes this can be a place of healing.
“You might just need a cheerleader in your corner letting you know that you can do this, and not that you just can but you deserve to have what you might’ve not had a shot at at the beginning,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler said they need large furniture items to put in these homes. If you’d like to donate, visit https://opendoorlbk.org/.
