2022 GrantTank Recipients

The work these organizations are doing is changing lives, and we're honored to help

We believe we’re stronger together. It’s why we’re proud to announce the the second year of GrantTank winners.

The recipients of our 2022 GrantTank program are organizations who have proven strength and leadership in the fight against sexual violence.

Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation

In partnership with the Jensen Project, the CSE Institute will pursue vacatur and criminal record clearing for survivors in Pennsylvania and expand their partnership and network across the country. 

During this grant term, CSE Institute will educate at least 75 criminal justice stakeholders across Pennsylvania about sex trafficking, criminalization, and vacature. The fellowship will expand outreach to survivors, ensuring they are aware of criminal record relief options and the CSE Institute’s ability to assist them in accessing vacature. 

They will expand their legal practice to include representing survivors as they seek clemency or pardons. 

Thistle Farms

Thistle Farms is a leader in the anti-trafficking space and has been in operation since 1997. They are dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. They do this by providing a safe place to live, a meaningful job, and a lifelong sisterhood of support. 

Strategic funding from The Jensen Project will allow Thistle Farms to manage their growth by hiring a dedicated and experienced Work Readiness Coordinator to strengthen their job readiness curriculum. This role will fully prepare women to reenter the workforce with the skills, tools and confidence needed to succeed. 

Thistle Farms will also implement a paid internship program for survivors interested in becoming Certified Peer Recovery Specialists and will connect them with organizations who can benefit from their experience and knowledge of addiction, trauma, and mental health. 

Rest Stop Ministries

Rest Stop Ministries’ goal is to comprehensively restore survivors and stop the criminal oppression of human trafficking. It does so through long-term restorative housing, transitional housing, and a unique economic empowerment opportunity in partnership with Fried Green Tomatoes. 

In partnership with The Jensen Project, Rest Stop Ministries will address a critical need in the field by adding a bed for medical detox and emergent care. 

Additionally, Rest Stop Ministries will be able to scale the partnership with Fried Green Tomatoes, offering more survivors a living wage with full-term food service and retail experience; from blending the raw materials, to selling and shipping the end product to retail, wholesale and online customers and in food trucks and restaurants. Rest Stop will also soon be conducting research and development in their test kitchen for future product line expansions. 

Designed For Joy

Designed For Joy provides women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support, removing the stigma of vulnerability. They do this through the production of high-end handmade leather, fabric and metal goods. Survivors are treated with dignity and love while learning the trade.

Support from The Jensen Project will expand the number of living-wage hours available to survivors of human trafficking referred to them by client support partners. These programs create job opportunities specifically for marginalized women allowing them to earn a solid paycheck and move into a more stable mental and financial position. 

Expanding the number of hours they can provide has a direct impact on the additional women they hire as well as a ripple effect on their communities and families. 

Empower Her Network

Empower Her Network (EHN) collaborates with ready survivors of human trafficking who find themselves in the same vulnerable circumstances that led to their initial exploitation by removing housing barriers, financing education, and uncovering employment opportunities. 

This formal program helps survivors reach fiscal independence, ending cycles of violence, poverty and exploitations for generations to come. Funding for this program from The Jensen Project allows for 20 additional survivors to receive these services. 

Living In Freedom Together

Living In Freedom Together, Inc. (LIFT) is a Survivor-led organization composed of Survivors of systems of prostitution, and allies committed to serving the needs of this vulnerable and marginalized population. 

LIFT’s mission is to end systems of prostitution through the implementation of the Equality Model. They provide resources, advocacy, and support for individuals to exit and recover from the impacts of the sex trade, and to end prostitution. LIFT strives to provide access to platforms and tools for Survivors to seek justice and liberation from systems of oppression and exploitation. 

Through strategic funding from The Jensen Project, LIFT will expand HARBOR’s legal advocacy to include a fully launched LIFT Legal Clinic. They will strengthen their commitment to support in the court system by having Survivor Court Advocates and trained lawyers prepared and ready to guide Survivors through a complicated legal system and protect Survivors and their rights. 

RAHAB Ministries Inc.

RAHAB Ministries has been in the fight for 20 years and addresses the issue of human trafficking from a continuum of care model unlike many others. This model consists of mentorship, outreach, drop-in centers, jail ministries, long-term restorative housing, transitional housing, minor community-based programs and education and training for the community. 

Through this program support grant, funds from The Jensen Project will be used to fuel this continuum for survivors in the long-term housing program as they re-enter the community in the transitional living program, The Oaks. 

Survivors remain the focal point at all times during their time with RAHAB. 

Awaken

Awaken increases awareness  and education surrounding the issue of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) and provides housing and restoration for its victims. Awaken recently celebrated 10 years of operations. 

Through a capacity building grant, Awaken will extend the hours of the drop-in center, reaching more survivors where they are at and providing them with a trauma informed entry point into long-term healing and recovery when they are ready. 

Survivor ran, this drop-in center sits in the heart of Reno’s track, making it accessible to women seeking services without judgement.

Hookers for Jesus

Hookers for Jesus addresses the harmful effects of prostitution, sex trafficking and sexual exploitation linked to pornography and the sex industry. 

They help women who have been negatively affected by the sex industry find hope, healing and full restoration. 

Through Survivor Leadership, the Destiny House program provides long-term restorative care for adult survivors of sex trafficking. Funding from the Jensen Project enhances the existing property and provides support for sustainable planning. 

What is GrantTank?

A yearly grant program, funding up to $2 Million to advance opportunities for agencies who serve adult female survivors of human trafficking.