Wellspring Living, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization focused on serving domestic sex trafficking survivors and those at risk, reached a milestone last month, with 18 years of service to sex trafficking survivors and those at risk.
The organization has grown from the mission-driven idea of founder and executive director, Mary Frances Bowley, to an organization of 90 employees with five life-changing restorative programs (three residential and two community-based) providing transformative care through therapeutic services, education, life skills, and personal and professional development.
After seven years of serving sexually exploited women, Wellspring Living became a founding member of the Governor's Task Force for CSEC victims in 2008. That year, the Girls' Residential Program opened to provide services to young survivors (ages 12-17) of sexual exploitation. In 2010, Wellspring Living opened the Women's Residential Program in Gwinnett County to serve victims and in 2013 expanded the program for young girls. In February 2014, Wellspring Living launched the Women's Academy in partnership with Randstad and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta to provide community-based career, education, and life management programming that lead young women toward independence by equipping them to secure living wage employment.
Within the past year, Wellspring Living opened the Women's Residential Program South in March 2018, serving young girls aging out of the foster care system through residential, stabilization, and career readiness services. In August 2018, Wellspring Living opened its newest program, the Youth Academy, to serve trafficked teenagers and those at risk of sexual exploitation in a school setting.
This past fiscal year, Wellspring Living served 179 girls and women across its residential and community-based programs.
“I can’t count the times since 2001 that I’ve been moved to tears by our participants’ horrific experiences and circumstances and then been so inspired and in awe by their perseverance and victories. We are overjoyed to celebrate 18 years of serving survivors of sexual exploitation and those at risk!” says Bowley when reflecting on the upcoming birthday.
“We are incredibly grateful for the amazing people who have joined us on this journey. Without those who prayed, volunteered, advocated, and invested, we could not provide access to comprehensive care for young women and girls. We look forward to the opportunities in the future to seeing many more lives transformed as we partner together,” adds Mary Frances.
To view a list of birthday events, visit WellspringLiving.org/communityevents. The funds raised during events will be utilized to maintain and grow the programs.
How to give:
- in kind - For a list of in-kind needs, see their FAQ section on WellspringLiving.org/contact.
- cash - Donations can be made at WellspringLiving.org/give.
- time/volunteering - To volunteer, visit WellspringLiving.org/volunteer.
Where the $$ goes
Your donations will help with the therapy, training, education and recovery of the boys, girls and women served in the programs:
- $250 covers art therapy supplies for one participant in our residential programs
- $500 covers five welcome baskets for five new participants in our residential programs
- $1,000 covers two computers for two participants in our Women's Academy
