Our Program
Engedi Refuge serves women, 18 or older, who have experienced sexual exploitation, and are ready to receive help overcoming the negative effects of sex trafficking. Engedi’s program is uniquely designed to help women find healing and regain dignity and respect, with Trauma Informed and Survivor Involved therapy and curriculums.
Engedi Refuge is program based, meaning that it has a pre-determined set of policies and curriculums for those that come to Engedi for help. We are a residential program that provides housing for our program participants including everything a person needs to feel safe, cared for, personally empowered, and challenged to learn new ways of re-immersing themselves into the community.
Engedi is a long-term program with three distinct phases. Participants are encouraged to take full advantage of what Engedi has to offer and commit to finishing each phase of the program. This is a ‘free-will’ program and participants can leave at any time they feel ready.
Phase 1:
Timeline: Approximately 6 months
Phase 1 is focused on establishing physical safety and emotional stability for each resident. Participants are required to stay in Engedi’s restorative home called the “Engedi House” during this Phase. This home is safe and secure and privately located for their protection, but is not a lock-down facility. Residents control their own room keys and security codes to the property. It houses 6 residents and 1 house manager. There are a few basic rules implemented at the Engedi House that are designed to keep everyone safe and make the experience of shared living beneficial for all involved. There is no cost to Phase 1 participants, and Engedi provides food, clothing, toiletries, bedding, laundry, transportation, spending allowances, and many other items to care for each resident.
During Phase 1 the residents go to the Engedi Learning Center from 9:30am – 3:00pm Monday thru Friday each week for group activities, classroom instruction, personal therapy, and case-management discussions. The therapy and teaching residents receive at the Learning Center is administered by well trained staff and volunteers. This therapy is focused on helping each resident understand their worth and abilities as a person, a healthy perspective of their past, hope for their future, and learning new tools to deal with life moving forward. Many residents describe this curriculum as “life changing”.
Phase 2 is focused on establishing independent living, educational advancement, and community re-integration for each resident. Participants are required to move into one of Engedi’s Transitional Living houses, while they begin 6 months of curriculum at the Engedi Learning Center.
The curriculums in Phase 2 help each resident apply what they’ve been learning to their life in practical ways. Participants are required to find employment and/or engage in higher education during this phase. Residents will receive mentoring and encouragement on managing finances, time, relationships, and personal health. During Phase 2, participants begin to bear limited responsibility for their own living expenses, as they formulate plans for living on their own outside of Engedi.
Phase 2:
Timeline: Approximately 4-8 months
Phase 3:
Timeline: Approximately 8 months
Phase 3 is focused on helping participants experience a spiritually vibrant life of faith and learn to help others from a place of healing and love. Program participants will be living on their own, independent of Engedi Refuge, employed, and usually in a season of reconnecting with family and making new friends.
Engedi’s staff and volunteers are uniquely capable of providing spiritual guidance, encouragement, and inspiration through a curriculum called “Spiritual Foundations”, to these women. This phase is not for everyone, but it is a wonderful service to those who have found a deep relational connection with God and want to experience a season of making their faith a central part in their life.