What We Do
Restoration
Awaken provides direct services to women and children to help them transition out of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Nearly all victims served by Awaken have had a history of emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse.
We help program participants with long-term and emergency needs including basic outreach, mentorship services, counseling, transportation, financial aid for college, legal and medical assistance. Through our Professional Network program, community members provide a wide array of in-kind and pro-bono services to the women and children we serve.
Two parts of Awaken’s restoration approach include the Awaken Transitional House and the Drop-In Center:
Awaken Transitional House
In January 2019, Awaken opened the very first restorative home in northern Nevada specifically designed for women affected by commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Awaken’s first-hand experience — backed by various studies — shows that long-term transitional housing is among CSE victims’ greatest needs. However, a recent survey found that there are less than 40 programs of this kind across the nation and many states lack any specialized residential programs. Awaken will ensure every resident has access to the services and opportunities she needs to heal.
All of Awaken’s services, including those that will be offered in the home, are focused on healing, empowerment and identity building. We aim for survivors to be restored to their fullest potential.
The Awaken home aims to:
- Provide an 18 to 24 month, rent-free, home environment based on a community living model;
- Help residents live honest, sober, and self-sufficient lives;
- Connect residents with services to help them heal, including alcohol and drug treatment programs, mental health services and physical healthcare;
- Provide education and job training opportunities;
- Nurture self-understanding through personal and spiritual growth;
- Offer the time and support needed to recover from past trauma.
In this new home, women who were once told who they are, will be given the chance to find their new identity and reclaim the lives that were stolen from them.
Learn more about how the Awaken house can help you.
The Drop-In Center
In January 2016 Awaken, with the support of caring community partners, opened the Awaken Drop-in Center off 4th St. and Spokane St. — a hot spot for trafficking, prostitution, and CSE. Purposefully located, Awaken is removing barriers and increasing accessibility to its programs and services. The center serves individuals by providing case management, education, counseling, mentoring, food, and clothing. Awaken aims to be a place of safety by being a consistent presence that provides for immediate, tangible needs and offers resources for help and hope.
Prevention
Awaken has done preventative work with students from the following local schools:
- Damonte Ranch High School
- North Valleys High School
- Rain Shadow High School
- McQueen High School
- Wooster High School
- Galena High School
- Spanish Springs High School
- Clayton Middle School
- Swope Middle School
- Reno High School
- Carson Valley Middle School
- Sparks Middle School
- Innovations High School
- Virginia City Middle School
- Hug High School
- Vaughn Middle School
- Truckee Meadows Community College
- University of Nevada, Reno
By the end of 2019, Awaken staff had spoken to more than 9,000 students in 30 high schools across Northern Nevada.
To request a speaker, please click here
City Transformation
In order to effectively advocate for social change, our community must be involved. Through our lobbying and outreach efforts, Awaken is reaching a diverse cross-section of Nevadans from grassroots supporters to policymakers. We aim to educate and empower individuals with the information and resources they need to combat sex trafficking and CSE. Awaken offers year-round workshops and trainings for law enforcement officers, hospital workers, social service providers, school district personnel and faith-based groups. We perform outreach primarily through special events and media campaigns.
Awaken worked closely with the Nevada Attorney General’s office and helped to successfully ensure passage of the AGO’s victim-centered bill, AB 67.
Awaken’s commitment to reaching community members is a key component in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. We cannot combat this crime alone and need all our neighbors to be informed about this egregious human rights violation happening here.
