CourageLIVES is an organization dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive community-based services for survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and abuse, as well as support for their families. Recognizing the profound and long-lasting impact that trafficking can have, especially on women and girls who make up the majority of victims, CourageLIVES works to break cycles of trauma and restore hope for those who have been deeply affected. Many of the survivors assisted by CourageLIVES are young, sometimes as young as 14, and often face vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit, such as histories of childhood sexual abuse, unstable housing, or a lack of basic resources. Understanding that healing is a long and challenging process, CourageLIVES centers its philosophy on caring, healing, and empowering individuals as they work to rebuild their lives.
The range of services offered by CourageLIVES is designed to address the diverse and urgent needs of survivors. Outpatient therapy provides a safe space for survivors to process their experiences and pursue mental and emotional wellbeing. Case management services offer careful coordination across critical aspects of survivors’ lives, helping them navigate complex systems and access the support they need. Recognizing that housing instability can be a major barrier to recovery, CourageLIVES assists with housing support, employment guidance, and educational assistance, facilitating survivors' paths toward independence and stability. Survivors also benefit from transportation help and referrals to additional resources and service providers, ensuring that no need is overlooked.
Basic needs are addressed through initiatives like the Empowerment Pantry and the Courage Clothing Closet, which supply survivors with food, clothing, and essentials as they recover from trauma and work toward self-sufficiency. These tangible supports are crucial in helping survivors regain a sense of dignity and manage day-to-day challenges. The organization’s holistic approach is rooted in the belief that by raising awareness, erasing the stigma associated with surviving trafficking, and reaching out in empathy, survivors can move forward with renewed agency and hope. CourageLIVES stands as a testament to both the resilience of survivors and the power of community support, helping individuals not only leave the darkness of their pasts behind but also build fulfilling and autonomous lives for themselves.