WORCESTER—The Safe Exit Initiative (SEI), a Worcester-based nonprofit focused on helping individuals exit the sex trade, has secured a $300,000 grant from The Jensen Project, the organization announced.
The funding will significantly support SEI’s legal arm, The Advocacy Project, which provides free legal services to individuals with lived or ongoing experiences in the sex trade.
The Advocacy Project was created to address the legal barriers that prevent survivors from establishing sustainable paths out of exploitation. The newly awarded grant will help expand these critical services, ensuring that survivors have access to the support they need to overcome legal challenges related to their involvement in the sex trade.
Courtney Ross Escobar, co-Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer at SEI, expressed gratitude for the grant, emphasizing its impact on continuing their vital work. “This grant will enable us to provide vital legal assistance to those who need it most, break cycles of exploitation, and rebuild lives,” she said.
Earlier this year, SEI introduced The Advocacy Project to help individuals facing legal difficulties due to their experiences in the sex trade, such as criminal records that can hinder employment opportunities, housing, and personal growth. The initiative, part of SEI’s larger mission to create sustainable exit strategies, has quickly gained attention for its survivor-centered approach.
This support from The Jensen Project highlights the critical need for collaborations to address the multifaceted challenges faced by those in the sex trade. Through the work of The Advocacy Project, SEI is committed to reshaping lives, offering survivors the tools to rebuild and thrive.
A year of change for SEI
It has been roughly year since SEI underwent a major transformation. Formerly known as Living in Freedom Together (LIFT), the organization rebranded itself as Safe Exit Initiative, reflecting its mission to provide safe and sustainable ways out of the sex trade.
Eight months before the name change, Audra Doody and Escobar stepped into their roles as co-CEOs, guiding the organization through a period of change and challenge.
At the time of the rebranding, SEI faced funding challenges that led to the closure of overnight services at its 15-bed shelter, HARBOR, which had served as a critical resource for individuals exiting the sex trade. Despite layoffs, SEI continues to employ 30 to 35 women, most of whom are survivors. The closure of overnight services has contributed to a shortage of shelter beds in Worcester, a pressing issue exacerbated by budget cuts and a drop in donations that surged during the MeToo movement.
In an interview with the Worcester Guardian in January, Doody emphasized that funding challenges are not unique to SEI. Many similar nonprofits working to end the sex trade are experiencing the same financial strain, with statewide budget cuts affecting their operations. Despite these hurdles, the grant from The Jensen Project provides SEI with vital resources to continue its work through The Advocacy Project.
Reopening the HARBOR
At the end of August, Safe Exit Initiative (SEI) celebrated the grand reopening of the renovated HARBOR, operating as a community-based resource center. The updated facility, which includes a kitchen, donation closet, and new service areas, provides vital resources such as harm reduction supplies, medical and legal services, and support groups. The renovations are a significant step in expanding SEI’s capacity to assist those seeking to exit the sex trade.
HARBOR also operates a mobile outreach van, ensuring that essential services reach the most vulnerable.
The combination of SEI’s rebranding, leadership transition, and the new grant marks a turning point for the organization as it seeks to build a stronger foundation to continue supporting survivors of the sex trade.
For more information about the Safe Exit Initiative and its programs, visit safeexitinitiative.org.
Submit news releases to Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
