2025 Year In Review
Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, we do so with gratitude and anticipation for what God will continue to do through The WellHouse and in the lives of the women we serve. Before moving forward, we want to pause and reflect on the many meaningful moments, growth, and victories that shaped 2025.
Grace Gala 2025
The WellHouse Junior Board’s 9th Annual Grace Gala at The Theodore was nothing short of magical! From dinner and dancing to exciting silent and live auctions, the night was full of joy and celebration. The sweetest moments came from a program graduate sharing her story and all of our attendees being able to honor several survivors in person.
We’re already counting down to next year’s event on January 24, 2026 at The Country Club of Birmingham. Tickets and sponsorships are available now - join us as we celebrate ten years of the Grace Gala!
ShopWell Storefront Purchase
This Fall, we purchased a storefront for our ShopWell social enterprise program in Springville, Alabama. We are hard at work getting the space ready for the grand opening in 2026. This space will feature survivor-made gifts, candle pouring, coffee and pastries, and a sitting area and patio for visitors. We are expectant and excited to watch God work through this new space and expand employment opportunities for our residents. If you would like to support the ShopWell team’s efforts in preparing this new space, check out their storefront wishlist here.
Resident Victories
Despite our several milestone moments in 2025, the day-in, day-out moments with these precious residents are our favorites. WellHouse Child had several milestone moments with their residents this year - one resident graduated high school as the valedictorian of her class, another celebrated one year of sobriety, multiple residents stepped into a new chapter of their lives with a gently loved vehicle, and we were able to honor residents at baptisms and graduation ceremonies throughout the year. Walking through life with a human trafficking survivor is an honor that we do not take lightly, and even on the darkest days, it’s the small moments that keep us pushing forward.
Engage Together Project
The WellHouse joined forces with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall to work towards eradicating human trafficking in Alabama through the Engage Project. 2025 was a year for analyzing and reporting data concerning vulnerable areas and people groups, and in 2026, we will begin implementing these strategies in our communities to fill the gaps and meet needs. As the Alabama Attorney General's Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance Service Provider Partner, The WellHouse is honored to share our fifteen years of experience in the anti-human trafficking field, and give insight to critical survivor-informed services for those who have been sexually exploited.
The WellHouse Turned 15!
We hosted our very first birthday party in August to celebrate fifteen years of The WellHouse surrounded by staff, graduates, Board members, and supporters. We gathered at a local theater for a private screening of The Jensen Project's documentary, 'The Right Track'. We were encouraged and inspired watching the scene of a brothel demolition that we were able to attend in person earlier this year! Looking forward to the next fifteen years, we are confident God will continue to bring beauty from ashes, freedom to the captives, and hope for the brokenhearted!
The Inaugural WellHouse UnLuncheon
We hosted the first-ever WellHouse “UnLuncheon” this fall in place of our usual in-person Luncheon fundraiser. By moving it to an online platform we were able to extend an invitation to the general public, and with no event overhead, we were able to allocate the entirety of the funds raised from sponsorships and ticket sales directly to WellHouse programming. Our webinar featured four human trafficking survivors now working in the anti-trafficking field. We are endlessly grateful for these women sharing their time and stories with us. If you would like to watch the complete webinar recording, please visit this link.
Anti-Human Trafficking Service Award Named for Carolyn Potter
Over the summer, we were delighted to announce a new milestone for The WellHouse - a brand new Alabama service award named in our CEO Carolyn Potter’s honor. This award celebrates individuals or organizations making significant contributions to combating human trafficking in our state. We look forward to seeing deserving individuals receive the Alabama Attorney General's Carolyn Potter Outstanding Anti‑Human Trafficking Service Award for years to come! Carolyn's visionary leadership, unwavering faith, and tireless dedication have not only transformed The WellHouse, but have reshaped the landscape of anti-trafficking care across our state and beyond.