Awaken Inc

TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION SURROUNDING THE ISSUE OF COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

AWAKEN'S RESTORATIVE CARE MAKES UP THE LARGEST PORTION OF AWAKEN'S SERVICES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE A DROP-IN CENTER, ADULT AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING AS WELL AS AN EDUCATION CENTER DEDICATED TO THE EDUCATION NEEDS OF TRAFFICKED YOUTH. AWAKEN'S DROP-IN CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2016 AND IS LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT IS DUBBED A "HOT SPOT" FOR PROSTITUTION. THE DROP-IN CENTER IS OFTEN TIMES THE ENTRY POINT FOR SERVICES. A SAFE, NON-JUDGMENTAL SPACE WHERE WOMEN CAN ACCESS BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS A SHOWER, MEALS, CLOTHING, COMMUNITY, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND EXPERIENCE RELAXATION. THE AWAKEN DROP-IN CENTER OPERATES FIVE DAYS A WEEK FROM 9AM-5PM. THE AWAKEN EDUCATION CENTER (AEC) WAS ESTABLISHED DURING THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR. THE AEC IS A SPECIALIZED, HOLISTIC, EDUCATION AND RESTORATIVE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE FOR YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN TRAFFICKED ENCOMPASSING GRADES 9-12. IN 2022, 11 GIRLS ATTENDED THE AWAKEN EDUCATION CENTER (AEC). IN 2021, WE CELEBRATED ONE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND IN 2022, WE CELEBRATED FIVE. OPPORTUNITIES, OPTIONS AND A LIFE OF HER OWN CHOOSING LAY AHEAD FOR EACH OF OUR GRADUATES.

CITY TRANSFORMATION IS AIMED TO CREATE SOCIAL CHANGE. AWAKEN EDUCATES AND EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS WITH THE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO COMBAT SEX TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. THIS IS DONE THROUGH VARIOUS ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH EFFORTS. AWAKEN'S COMMITMENT TO REACHING COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS A KEY COMPONENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SEX TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION THAT IS TAKING PLACE IN OUR AREA. AWAKEN CANNOT COMBAT THIS HEINOUS CRIME ALONE AND WE CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS EDUCATED ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2021 AND JUNE 30, 2022, AWAKEN EDUCATED OVER 1000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON SEX TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

THE AWAKEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSE OPENED IN 2019 AND IS THE ONLY TRANSITIONAL LIVING IN WASHOE COUNTY SPECIFICALLY FOR ADULT WOMEN OF SEX TRAFFICKING AND COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. IT IS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM THAT WOMEN LIVE RENT FREE AND ENGAGE IN VIGOROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALING AND RESTORATION. THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT THE WOMEN RESIDE IN THE AWAKEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSE IS SELF-DETERMINED. BETWEEN JULY 1, 2021 AND JUNE 30, 2022, THE AWAKEN TRANSITIONAL HOUSE PROVIDED FIVE WOMEN WITH 558 NIGHTS OF SAFETY AND HEALING.

AWAKEN OFFERS PREVENTATIVE EDUCATION EFFORTS TARGETING THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION - DISADVANTAGED YOUTH. AWAKEN PRESENTS AT SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES, DELIVERS CLASSROOM-BASED CURRICULUM TO STUDENTS, AND WORKS WITH YOUTH GROUPS TO TALK TO LOCAL STUDENTS ABOUT THE REALITIES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING TO THEM OR THEIR LOVED ONES. AWAKEN HAS WORKED WITH STUDENTS FROM YVONNE SHAW MIDDLE SCHOOL, HUG HIGH SCHOOL, SPANISH SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL, EXCEL CHRISTIAN, AND OTHERS. AWAKEN HAS ALSO EDUCATED SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SAFE SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS IN THE AREA.