My City May 2023

care for victims. The Prism Project Safehouse Program “provides a safe place where child survivors of sexual exploitation and/or sex trafficking can come to heal on their time, with a loving team of professionally trained care providers.” All of the services are provided at the home including medi cal, educational, therapeutic and spir itual services, in addition to life skills. The home serves up to six girls ages 12-17 who may remain there for six months to two years, depending upon personal need. “We want the girls to grow up in an environment as close to a normal home as possible and to live their daily lives at their own pace,” says Chandler. “All of our care provid ers are licensed and trauma-informed. Care is available for the victims 24/7 and schooling is provided online.” The house sits on 100 acres and was purchased for the program by a donor. Prism Project is working to pay off the mortgage. AND AIDING VICTIMS TO THRIVE OUTSIDE OF THEIR OPPRESSIVE CIRCUMSTANCES." SYLVIA BLYTHE, FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OUR AIM IS TO BRING TOGETHER AWARENESS AND PREVENTION THROUGH EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY

for such atrocities accountable. Programs and organizations such as G.H.O.S.T., the Genesee Coun ty Human Trafficking Task Force, Beauty for Ashes, and Voices for Children are working each and every day against the epidemic and recently, they have gained a new ally in the Prism Project. “The goal of Prism Project is to educate the communi ty about the problem of human sex trafficking and provide wrap-around restorative services to child survivors,” explains Chandler. The dream of Prism Project began four years ago when Founder/Execu tive Director Sylvia Blythe decided to do more to fight human trafficking. A sexual assault nurse examiner, Blythe saw first hand the devastating effect that human trafficking had on victims and their families. It was her hope to someday provide a place of safety and support for young victims to live and cope with their complex trauma.

She set up her 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its board of directors, and began working with the State of Michigan to license her Safehouse Program – the first of its kind in Michigan. “Nobody was sure what the rules were,” says Chan dler. “Prism Project fits into different categories but we were able to get it done. In December, we received our CCI (Child Caring Institutions) license and we officially opened our safehouse in February of this year.” When naming the faith-based or ganization a prism image was chosen to represent hope. “The idea is taken from a prism in the dark,” explains Chandler. “When a light shines on its shattered pieces of glass, it produc es an array of immense beauty and cannot be contained. We want our child victims to know that they are beautiful, no matter what.” What sets Prism Project apart in its mission of education and healing is the very nature of its restorative

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