What can help survivors of sex trafficking? Tarrant County groups provide jobs and homes
Gabrielle Meija, 28, is ready to be an advocate and help other women and girls. She is one of many survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking in Tarrant County.
A Tarrant County specialty court program and local organizations helped her become independent and learn that she is worthy. Meija’s journey has taught her that if she believes, she can achieve.
“I am able, capable,” Meija said to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “My past doesn’t define me.”
For survivors of sexual exploitation, including prostitution and human trafficking, escaping the risks of poverty and dependency is vital. Poverty can put someone at risk of being involved in sexual exploitation and relying on others who may not have their best interest.
Leaders and community organizations in Tarrant County have found that a stable job and housing are some of the things that can help survivors transition to a better life. However, it can be difficult for survivors to have a good job and housing if they have a felony. Many employers require applicants to inform them of their criminal history, which can place a stigma on the individual.
A 2016 report by the University of Texas at Austin found there were an estimated 313,000 sex and labor trafficking victims in the state.
The Net, a Fort Worth-based organization focused on helping survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation, has seen women who went from living in a shelter to independent housing; from not having transportation to owning their own car; and from having low self-esteem to gaining confidence.
The organization recently started a partnership with Dallas-based Dwell With Dignity to continue to help survivors maintain a stable place to live.
“We believe that everyone is worthy of a chance to rebuild their lives,” said Melissa Ice, founder and executive director of The Net.
Tarrant County’s RISE program
Meija began her journey to self dependency through Tarrant County’s Reaching Independence through Self-Empowerment Program. The diversion program was created in 2010 by Tarrant County Criminal Court Judge Brent Carr.
The program helps women who are at high risk of recidivism and have experienced significant sexual trauma. Many of the women in the program have felony prostitution charges. Four misdemeanors for prostitution can result in a felony in Texas.
The program allows participants to defer or avoid prison by successfully completing the program. A participant must complete at least two years in the program, abstain from alcohol and drugs for at least one year, receive a high school diploma or GED, have a suitable residence and make steps toward a job or further education.
There have been 103 women who have successfully completed the program since 2013. A 2021 study found that only 10% of graduates were arrested between six months to a year after completing the program.
Meija received treatment while in the RISE program. The program provided her with housing and therapy, and connected her to The Net. The Net placed Meija with an advocate, a support group and enrichment classes.
Ice founded The Net 10 years ago after seeing how sex exploitation affected women in Fort Worth, including those who were experiencing homelessness. The organization has served over a 1,000 women through case management and other services, like financial literacy classes. The Net placed Meija with an advocate, a support group and enrichment classes.
“A lot of the women that we serve have experienced some form of relational brokenness and have multiple vulnerabilities that lead them into a situation where they are being exploited,” Ice said.
Ice said many of The Net’s clients experienced child sexual abuse, were in foster care, have struggled from low self-esteem or were in a broken home. The Net has found that many clients experienced fraud before they were exploited. Someone promised them something, like housing or a relationship, before forcing them into human trafficking or prostitution.
The Worthy Co. providing jobs to survivors
A stable job helps survivors of sexual exploitation provide for themselves and not be at risk of poverty. But the opportunity for employment can be difficult if they have a felony.
“Any time you apply for a job, car or a house, anything — they ask you if you have a felony. If so, for what,” Ice said. “So having that label down just makes it really difficult to get a job.”
The Net started The Worthy Co in 2018. The social enterprise provides female survivors an opportunity to earn a living safely and gain skills through employment. The job allows women to gain experience that can be mentioned on a résumé for future employers.
Numerous nonprofits in Tarrant County operate social enterprises to provide funds to their services. The social enterprise business model allows organizations to address a social concern while generating funds. Popular social enterprises in Fort Worth include Marty Leonard Community Chapel and The Resale Shop.
At The Worthy Co, all of the products are made by survivors. The products are sold at the social enterprise’s retail location at 1216 S Lake St. Women make candles, jewelry and apparel. All of the company’s proceeds go back to The Net’s services.
Meija has worked at The Worthy Co for nine months. She works as an artisan jewelry maker and helps fill orders.
“Prior to working at The Worthy Co, I never made jewelry or fulfilled orders,” she said. “I love to learn new things!”
Providing a safe home
One of the many problems a person experiencing poverty may have is furnishing their home. Furniture costs can be too expensive for a person who is struggling to pay for basic necessities.
Dwell with Dignity, a nonprofit interior design organization, provided Meija with furniture, food and other home necessities.
“It made me feel like all my hard work paid off, like I was worthy of something good,” Meija said. “I feel like the interior design was a gift from God.”
The organization partners with local social service agencies to help people experiencing poverty or are at-risk. Around 1,000 people are provided services each year in North Texas. The nonprofit recently expanded its services to Fort Worth.
All of its clients who were served in 2020 are still self-sufficient. The organization has seen a positive impact on children. Families that were served in 2021 told the organization their children have improved academic performance and behavior.
Ashley Sharp, executive director of Dwell with Dignity, said families referred to the organization receive free interior design services. They work with a designer to pick out things for their home, including custom art and furniture.
“We want to see something that really reflects their individual personality,” Sharp said. “We want them to feel like they have agency in the situation.”
The organization’s partners help families receive school uniforms, school supplies, tax preparation and other needs.
“It has an amazing ripple effect because you have energy, you have motivation,” Sharp said. “All of that allows you to be able to be a better student, a better family member, a better employee.”
A former client received help from Dwell with Dignity in 2014. She is now a salon owner and helps other women become independent.
Meija hopes that she can become an advocate to others just like her caseworker. She leads a support group for other survivors.
“I would love to be able to educate younger girls about abuse and boundaries,” she said. “If I had known anything about that, maybe I would’ve been able to identify what was truly going on.”
How to get help or donate:
Dwell with Dignity: 214-632-4019 (to donate).
Tarrant County’s RISE Program: 817-531-5605.
One Safe Place helpline: 817-916-4323.
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
