Residential program for SC human trafficking survivors opens second safe home in partnership with Upstate Faith Community
April 14, 2022
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and Jasmine Road announced today the opening of a second safe house, an expansion of the first long-term residential restoration program for human trafficking survivors in South Carolina. The addition triples Jasmine Road’s capacity from 5 to 15 beds, allowing the organization to serve more female survivors who desperately need a program with comprehensive services.
“The need is great for women in our community as Greenville County continues to be in the top five counties in the state for reported human trafficking cases; and being able to expand our program to survivors is a huge milestone not only for our community but for our state,” said Beth Messick, Executive Director of Jasmine Road. “Jasmine Road is the only long-term program in South Carolina that offers comprehensive services and resources to survivors who so desperately need a program like Jasmine Road. We are incredibly grateful to see churches, hospitals, and community partners come together to bring the opportunity to heal and flourish to more women in our community.”
The second safe home was funded through grant money from Bon Secours along with generous donations from Grace Church, North Hills Community Church, NewSpring Church, Fellowship Greenville, John I. Smith Charities, and several private donors.
“Community change is often best done in collaboration with like-minded partners, which is why we are so grateful for the opportunity to work with the faith community and Jasmine Road to make our world a better place,” said Dr. Alex Garvey, Vice President of Mission at Bon Secours. “This work continues to reflect on who we are and our mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. Anytime the faith community can come together to lift up those who society deem vulnerable or unworthy of love, then truly, the reign of God is fulfilled. It’s our hope such collaborations are just the beginning, and we look forward to future ventures in co-creating a better world for all of God’s people.”
The extra space provided by the new site will allow Jasmine Road to offer two years of rent-free housing and supportive services to 10 additional women, with a total residential capacity of 15 women. During those two years, Jasmine Road and its community partners work with survivors to address recovery from trauma and addiction as well as provide the tools and employment opportunities to help women thrive on a new road to the future. Bon Secours will also continue to provide comprehensive medical and behavioral health care to all the residents to support their recovery and reintegration.
“We are thankful for the work of Jasmine Road and glad to partner with Bon Secours, NewSpring Church, The Boardman Group, North Hills Church, Fellowship Greenville, and TRG Communities to help Jasmine Road expand their capacity to serve women recovering from human trafficking and addiction,” said Bill White, Grace Church Teaching Pastor.
The new Jasmine Road site has two separate buildings. One building is a residential safe home with space to safely house eight women. The other building houses two transitional and independent living apartments upstairs as well as a lower-level workspace where women can learn job skills to help restore their independence.
About Bon Secours
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Bon Secours provides compassionate medical care to thousands of area residents through its St. Francis Downtown and St. Francis Eastside Hospitals, as well as a network of primary and specialty care practices, and ambulatory care sites across the Greenville region. Consistent with its commitment to serve each patient with dignity, Bon Secours Mercy Health provides nearly $2 million per day in community benefit. The mission of Bon Secours is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. For more information, visit BonSecours.com.
About Jasmine Road
Jasmine Road is South Carolina’s first long-term residential program for adult female survivors of sex trafficking, prostitution, and addiction. Jasmine Road serves to heal, empower, and employ survivors by surrounding women with a new community and offering opportunities to reclaim their lives and reach autonomy. Jasmine Road’s “housing-first” model provides safe, housing, a holistic individualized care plan, time and space to heal, meaningful employment, and a lifelong community of support. Jasmine Kitchen lunch cafe and candle and jewelry enterprises provide a variety of pathways for financial independence, reducing the likelihood of women returning to life on the streets. For more information, visit jasmineroad.org.
