SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF TRENTON IS AWARDED NATIONAL GRANT

Soroptimist International of Trenton Area was awarded an $8500 grant from our federation, Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), in their continuing effort to support the mission of Vista Maria to heal victimized girls with best practice residential treatment programs designed to meet their unique needs. The goal for this project is to expand Vista Maria’s current expertise in the area of residential treatment of adolescent girls who have experienced severe and complex trauma which includes the treatment, education, and community reintegration of eleven to seventeen-year-old female victims of sexual and labor trafficking. The $8500 SIA grant, written by member Nancy Nagle, is designated to assist Vista Maria with their capital campaign for new therapeutic treatment and reintegration program with all-inclusive service to victims of labor trafficking and sexual exploitation in Michigan. The funds will be used to incorporate a security system in the new residential setting for trafficking victims to ensure their safety in a secure, supportive environment. This includes comprehensive care and treatment programs for trafficking victims.
The members of SI of Trenton Area will also provide mentoring, tutoring assistance, and will offer Girl Empowerment Workshops to help the girls of Vista Maria. The trauma-focused program will provide intensive individual treatment and address physical and emotional safety needs, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment to help victims find their inner strength to independence. Life-skills education will be added to provide independent living skills, such as financial management, social skills, employment preparation, housing, transportation, etcetera. Planned activities by our club will assist with self-esteem and life skills enhancements on a regular basis. The Girls Empowerment Workshops will consist of several sessions. The members of SI of Trenton Area have already developed a bonding relationship with Vista Maria girls and staff through our meet-and-greet tour of the facility, a karaoke night, a dance party, and scrapbooking sessions. SI of Trenton Area will continue to work with Vista Maria and other organizations to raise awareness of domestic-born victims who are not as easily identified and to provide assistance and treatment opportunities to those victims once they are identified.
Pat Bryan, SI of Trenton Area member