The Phoenix Phase Initiative

The goals of The Phoenix Phase Initiative are simple. We want to help as many sexually trafficked women as possible develop occupational training so they can create better lives for themselves and their children. Along with this training, they would also receive financial guidance, personal counseling, and self-defense skills.

After gaining these skills for approximately ten months, the women would then be able to apply for jobs as skilled laborers or start their own small businesses. Ideally, they can also train other women so that the small spark that we started will spread like wildfire through the impoverished areas.

Our strategies differ depending on the specific needs of the area where we are working. In each area, it is crucial that we partner with knowledgeable locals who can instruct us on the customs and culture while providing us with insight as to which projects would best benefit these trafficked women. It would be foolish for us to go into an area and assume we know what is best for them. Instead, we need to listen to their needs and build our project around them.

Once the training center is built, we will house 8-12 sexually trafficked women for up to ten months. After ten months, they must leave the training center because we do not want anybody to feel enabled. This is not a handout; it is an opportunity. While they are in the training center, they will learn several skills that are needed in that location (sewing, housekeeping, cooking, etc...). Additionally, they will receive counseling to help deal with the trauma of their experiences, and financial planning skills so the money they make from their new occupations can grow and spread.

While the women are making items to practice their skills, those items can be sold in local markets so that they are already generating a small income while in the training center. Once they graduate, they should have enough resources available for them to buy a small sewing machine and supplies or other items necessary for them to start their businesses on a firm foundation.

The Phoenix Phase Initiative comes from humble beginnings. We are just a few people who feel God's calling to

So far, we have undergone the massive amounts of paperwork required to become a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the state of Iowa. We have created an official organization and have established our Board of Directors who will ensure that our mission and vision are being implemented with fidelity. Also, we have created strong ties to various people in Uganda (where we will have our first training center) and have a trusted contact who will be able to oversee operations "on the ground."

Stateside, we have also created our website, mission, and vision, and we are beginning the fundraising stage of our project. This will be the most time-consuming part, but it is inevitable. Our organization has also been building a base of supporters via Facebook and other social media platforms so that The Phoenix Phase Initiative will be well-known and people will understand the importance of our projects and will support us both prayerfully and financially.