Before coming to The WellHouse I knew about God, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him, and that’s the biggest treasure I’ve gained while being here. I dove into the Word and the program, and through them God taught me that I am a daughter of the most high King and to wear my crown. He paid the price, I’m forgiven, and the shame and guilt are cast as far as East is from the West. I’m worth it. My past doesn’t define my future. I have a purpose for my life, and it is God-ordained.
Read MoreI don’t know how I ended up there. How things got as bad as they did. I never came from that kind of lifestyle. I may have come from a broken home, but no one in my family ever went as far and as dark as I did. I’ve been to jail more times than I can count, I’ve overdosed on drugs. I didn’t know how to handle any of the things I was feeling, and I did the only thing I knew to do. I numbed myself, until I lost myself.
Read MoreI grew up in a small town in Alabama, about 25 miles north of Birmingham. My brother and I had loving parents and we never went without. We were raised in church where our Dad served as a Deacon, and we were always surrounded by Godly friends. When I became a preteen, I remember having all of these emotions that I couldn’t seem to express without consequences. I became very rebellious against my parents, unable to focus at school, and was losing control of my life.
Read MoreIn the Fall of 2018, I met a sweet, funny, and attractive guy who I could relate to in so many ways. Occasionally we would go out and get drinks at a bar, and I always had fun and enjoyed my time with him. Then came the black out periods. I would wake up frightened after going out with him because I couldn’t remember anything I did from the night before.
Read More“Trauma and drug addiction have plagued my life for as long as I can remember. IV drug use took me captive. I was a slave to sin and had lost myself and all sense of hope for my future. When I first came to the WellHouse, I had no faith and no sense of direction for my life.”
Read More“I grew up as a small town girl from rural Alabama, protected and sheltered from the dangers of the big city, or so I thought. I was raised by Godly parents who did the best they could, both coming from broken homes and trying to give me a different kind of life than they knew. As trauma has it, the inevitable happened….”
Read More“As life went on things only got worse for me. Now I see God wasn't escalating my problems, he was just getting me to the feet of Jesus. I am glad I got tangled up. I am glad I got through alive! I thank God for my rebirth because I will never be the woman who is caught in those acts again.”
Read More“Growing up with my two brothers, we were raised by our grandparents, living in Kentucky and Florida. We had a very happy childhood and we were always well-provided for by our loving and kind grandparents. Some might think it’s strange that a happy, loved, little girl would grow up to be an addict and a prostitute, but that is exactly what happened to me.”
Read MoreAlmost a year ago, I left my home in North Carolina with a man that I met online and ended up getting sex trafficked. A week later, we travelled to Alabama where I found a chance to get away. I ended up walking 60 miles to regain my freedom.
Read MoreTwo years ago today I gave up… I gave up being hurt, I gave up fighting myself and those trying to help me. I gave up on everything, but it was the best thing to happen. But Today marks TWO years since I was rescued and brought to The WellHouse, and my life is better than I could ever imagine it being.
Read MoreThe [time in captivity] damaged my soul in ways I didn’t know were possible. I would escape these days of misery by leaving my body and imagining I am home with my family. I tried to make myself believe this was just a bad dream.
Read MoreMy name is Haylee Dortch, a recent graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I’m now a full-time case manager at the WellHouse! I went into social work wondering which population would call to me. It wasn’t long at all before God called me into this amazing community of hard-working clinicians and inspiring survivors.
Read MoreOctober and November were busy months at the WellHouse! We coordinated 26 intakes and placements from across the country, of both women and children. Of those, 5 came to the WellHouse to start our long-term recovery program. Residents came to our facility from as far south as Florida and as far north as Illinois.
Read MoreHannah came from a seemingly "normal" family. Her grandfather was a preacher, and her name was inspired by a Biblical figure, but things were not what they seemed. Growing up, she dealt with ongoing sexual harassment and "culture grooming." Hannah became a mom at age 16. After high school, she had little options to support herself and turned to night club dancing. This is where her trafficking story begins.
Read MoreReagan grew up in a loving, supportive, and safe family. She enjoyed school, made good grades, had great friends, and played almost every sport. Her childhood was a happy one. Reagan’s trafficking experience began after she decided to stop at a local gas station after school to refill her car. As she pulled up, she saw that a group of men were standing around the gas pumps.
Read MoreVictoria was sexually and mentally abused from a young age. Her mother was a drug addict and her father frequently beat her. She was only 12-years-old when she met 28-year-old John. John offered Victoria safety, love, and protection, something her parents never gave her. She trusted him without a second thought, and left home with him.
Read More“You all make a difference. Never forget that,” said WellHouse Graduate Hazel. Hazel left The WellHouse over three years ago, and she is doing extraordinarily well.
Read MoreThe WellHouse will build a residential care facility for minor victims of sex trafficking on its campus. The Housing Affordability Trust awarded The WellHouse full funding for the construction of this new home, which will be one of only 40 known programs for trafficked minors in the nation, and the first in Alabama.
Read MoreReilly’s life took a turn for the worst when her nine year marriage ended. Shut out from her family and losing custody of her children, she was grasping for some sort of stability. While staying temporarily at hotels, she met a man who invited her to come to another state with him to meet a “friend.” Naive about trafficking, she went.
Read MoreBlair was a cheerleader. She made honor roll. On the outside, Blair seemed perfect. But it all took a downward turn. One night, Blair needed a ride home and called him. Instead of coming to get her, his “friend” picked her up.
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