Last week, we talked about the different milestones that Grace House residents meet when they progress early on in their program. This week, we will discuss some of the milestones they meet as they progress in their journey.
When survivors are six months into their program, having worked hard on their recovery for a substantial amount of time, they can earn internet privileges. This also comes in handy as by six months, they are expected to be in school or working. Since sexual exploitation can sometimes begin on the internet, this is not a choice that is made lightly, and safety plans are in place before survivors reconnect with others online.
By one year, survivors are expected to start saving an agreed upon portion of their earnings so they can begin to plan on moving into their desired independent living situation. Along with their caseworker, Grace House Residents agree upon a percentage of what they will save out of all income, then ultimately a dollar amount which they will need to reach in order to move out permanently. We recently celebrated one 12-month anniversary for a Grace House Resident, and she is on track: She is currently finishing her High School Diploma requirements, and has a small independent business making masks for COVID-19 safety and other hand-sewn items.
Other milestones include the choice to legally change their name in order to protect their privacy and get a fresh start, getting exploitation tattoos covered up through a partnering nonprofit, and reunification with their family. These milestones can happen at any point in their healing and are met when the survivor herself feels is the right time, whether that be in the first few months, or well into their second year with us. All these milestones symbolize another step in their journey towards their ultimate goal of independence and autonomy.
Recovery from exploitation and rebuilding your life from the ground up is a journey that takes a lot of planning and support. Sometimes it is difficult for Residents to see the light at the end of the tunnel when they have so many steps to take to get there. For that reason, we make a huge deal out of every milestone reached so the survivor knows she’s on the right track and is one step closer to living the life she always wanted. You can help us celebrate each milestone by following us on social media.
Alabaster Jar Project 