In an effort to provide restoration and new life for victims of human trafficking, The WellHouse based in Odenville is just one ministry in Alabama committed to raising awareness and education in the ongoing battle to fight modern-day slavery.
According to the-wellhouse.org, the name is based on the account of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:11–15, because they desire to be “a place where women never have to thirst again.”
The WellHouse began when a survivor of human trafficking found there wasn’t a shelter in her area with the resources needed to provide care and trust for victims of trafficking. From there, a group of women gathered to form the outreach program.
Loved and accepted
Today, The WellHouse typically serves 12–15 girls per year, offering a variety of services and resources designed to help them find recovery, restoration and redemption by teaching them that they are loved and accepted unconditionally by the staff — but most of all, by Christ.
“The WellHouse offers services for the physical, mental, emotional, financial and spiritual wellbeing of its residents, both women and girls,” said Leah Sanderson, development director. “From medical and dental care to trauma therapy, to life skills and on-campus schooling, The WellHouse offers all survivors need to overcome addiction and trauma and live independently.
“Every girl at WellHouse receives an individualized education plan, case management and therapy,” Sanderson noted. “Additionally, we pair them with mentors who are trusted women in our community to learn from, ask questions of and grow in relationship through fun activities. Survivors at WellHouse usually average one-to-two years in our program.
“Above all, we hope to offer the option of a relationship with Jesus to every survivor we get the honor of serving on our campus.”
Sanderson said The WellHouse currently has 37 staff and more than 200 volunteers. In addition, they are supported by churches and non-profits around the state through volunteering, donation drives and financial support.
“We are so blessed to have a mighty community of committed people praying for us, doing on-campus projects and staff that are passionate about our residents’ healing,” Sanderson said. “Outside of in-kind donations, we are always looking for volunteers who wish to lead necessary life skills classes like cleaning, financial literacy and tutoring, and helping transport residents to appointments.”
Sanderson sees firsthand the impact of testimonies and transformation taking place through The WellHouse.
“In a recent visit to the classroom at WellHouse, I witnessed a girl writing what she was thankful for during a Thanksgiving activity. She wrote: ‘I am thankful for … the chance to be a teenager again.’
“Another resident recently reported to a staff member that she ‘has always had to be so defensive and hard on the outside to protect herself.’ She said she’s finally learning about her true self and that her true self is kind and loved. She is learning how to give to others without expecting anything in return, and that she’s never experienced this kind of true love.”
Sanderson noted many opportunities to pray for ongoing efforts to reach girls with the life-changing love of Christ.
“Pray for their mental health specifically,” she said. “Pray for them to regain what it is to be a child again and to receive the love of Jesus in their time with us.
“Additionally, pray for the brave women who are beginning their recovery with us. Pray for their mentors, sponsors and the staff who serve them daily.”
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