The Full Story
Arukah Project Restoration Center:
Refuge of Hope
A long term location for victims who come into our care once they have been rescued or escaped from the horror of sex trafficking has always been a dream and vision of ours. We are so excited to have finally found a location here in Santa Cruz County that could provide shelter, and all our current programs, to victims once they come into our care! The goal of this location would be to provide all of our current programs, as well as long term shelter, for up to two years for victims who come to Arukah Project.
Mission
At Arukah Project, our solutions are based on building a transformational culture that accomplishes more than anyone could do alone. We are proud to be a survivor-led organization. We know what victims need because we have been them and know what it takes to survive and become positive contributing members of our society. We strive to create a safe space for all survivors to feel accepted, understood and believed. Our organization is built upon the passion and expertise of those who are willing to help restore the lives of sex trafficking victims, including survivors themselves. We walk alongside survivors through their trauma recovery, offering hope and resources to recover from the pain they’ve endured. We want to give them what they need to go from surviving to thriving.
Vision
There are currently no long-term housing facilities in California specifically for sex trafficking victims. The facilities in the state that do exist cater to various types of victims, which can make it difficult for sex trafficking survivors to feel understood and supported. This lack of understanding and support often leads victims to return to the life of sex trafficking. Our proposed project aims to address this issue by purchasing and operating a support facility dedicated to housing and helping victims of sex trafficking. This facility would be the first of its kind in the state and would provide long-term housing for victims to focus on their recovery and wellness from the trauma.
The plan is for the Arukah Project to purchase and convert this facility into a code-compliant space that offers victims comfort and support as they confront their trauma. The property includes classroom space, intake offices, a pool for water therapy, a gym for movement therapy, and areas for hikes, walks, meditation, and self-care. Additionally, it features a commercial kitchen for teaching basic cooking skills and a standard room for socializing and visits from loved ones. This is a unique opportunity and the next step in the growth and continued positive impact that the Arukah Project team can make by providing various forms of therapy to treat each victim's mind, body, and spirit.
The Refuge of Hope facility will achieve this human-centered approach through the different professional services offered. At the heart of these treatment programs is a facility that will provide the scalability and agility needed to meet the varying needs of
each individual, whose treatment journey will be customized to each person's needs. Separate but easily
accessible spaces are designed to create a serene, welcoming environment that is optimal for healing and
transformation.
This space will allow us to continue offering all of our current programs, and in additional will allow us to offer:
- counseling services (currently offering)
- legal services (currently offering)
- case management (currently offering)
- forensic interview room
- physical therapy gym
- educational classroom with a teacher
- basic life skills courses
-water therapy
-animal therapy
- long term shelter
- medical care
Fundraising Plan
We are needing to raise $7 million dollars for this property. This will cover the purchase price, closing costs, and needed renovations to bring the property up to code to house victims.
In addition, we will need to raise an additional $4 million dollars for operating costs for the first year.
Naming Rights
If interested, we can include the name of your family, business, or theme creatively and appropriately into Refuge of Hope.
- Community room with commercial kitchen - $500,000
- Staff quarters - $500,000
- Welcome room - $200,000
- Residence room - $200,000
(Each room is double occupancy, so if you'd like to donate for single occupancy of a double room, it will be $100,000)
- Boutique barn - $150,000
- Pool and pool house - $150,000
- Forensic interview room - $75,000
- Gym - $50,000
- Classroom - $50,000
- Parking spot in front of welcome room designated for incoming survivors - $50,000
- Greenhouse - $25,000
- Engraved Tile (40 available) - $20,000
Thank you for considering helping us bring kids hope! To join our efforts you can make a credit card gift below, send in a check or contact our Executive Director, Alan Smyth to discuss other options as well as Naming Rights.