CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte nonprofit that helps survivors of human trafficking escape and rebuild their lives is taking a huge financial hit due to the COVID-19 crisis. Lily Pad Haven provides housing and other critical services for survivors of human trafficking. Leaders said it costs roughly $30,000 a month to operate their safe houses in North and South Carolina. Due to the pandemic, donations have dried up and they're receiving a small percentage of their typical donations.
Staff and board members are hoping the community will step up to support survivors.
“It can help to put food on the table, to get lights on. It can help with their healing journey. A lot of people will give us inspirational items, maybe journals and things they can utilize for their healing process and without that, it is really hindering them from successfully transitioning back into society,” said Alexa Nagy, community outreach and development coordinator.
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Executive Director Benjenus Jenkins said they're concerned the drastic drop in financial support could affect the number of survivors they're able to serve.
Some of their guests are also seeing their jobs affected, which they need to transition back into society.
“It is impacting them working on independency, impacting anxiety and stress levels and it is impacting services for them to maintain basic needs while in their program,” Jenkins said.
The nonprofit typically receives support from churches and salons, but due to COVID-19, they’re hurting too.
To stay afloat, Lily Pad Haven is diving into virtual events hoping to raise money and awareness of survivors’ stories online.
“We need to get where we used to be financially to continue our programs successfully,” Nagy said.
Lily Pad Haven is hosting a live dance party with Evan the DJ on Friday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
To donate, participants can text “donate2lph” to 243725.
- LPH Website: https://www.lilypad-haven.org
- LPH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyPadHaven/
- LPH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilypadhaveninc/
- LPH Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilypadhaven
- LPH PayPal Donation Link: https://www.paypal.me/lilypadhaven
- LPH Donate Tab: https://www.lilypad-haven.org/donate/
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