outreach & Recovery
uniquely equipped
Sacred Beginnings is uniquely equipped to reach and support those enslaved in sexual exploitation and human trafficking because:
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We are survivor-led. Our team earns trust because we know what it's like to live in fear and without hope.
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We reach victims where they are at. Our team braves the street corners, alleys, and motels of our city to bring light to the dark.
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We are leading change. Sacred
Beginnings is a sought-after partner for government agencies, legislators, law enforcement, and health care professionals.
Street
Outreach
Leslie and her team hit the streets—rain or shine—searching for individuals trapped in exploitation and prostitution. During these outreach efforts, our team:
Distributes Blessed Bags filled with personal care items, Scripture, food, and water.
Hands out contact cards with Leslie’s personal number to call when they’re ready to leave the streets.
Prays with each person if desired.
housing & recovery
Once off the streets, victims move to Sacred Beginnings’ transition home. We currently operate two transition homes in Grand Rapids. They are led and staffed by survivors, providing a safe place to heal—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Our holistic approach includes:
+ Detox through partnering organizations
+ Trauma counseling with certified social workers
+ One-on-one peer mentoring with a fellow survivor
+ Group therapy
+ Life skills coaching
+ Optional Bible study and spiritual discipleship
+ Education and career counseling
Home Base
Opened in 2021, Home Base became the first center of its kind in Michigan to offer drop-in services to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Home Base is a safe space where victims know they won't be judged or shamed. Our peer support specialists are survivors who understand the complexities of being trafficked and can help bridge the gaps between victims and service providers.
Visit Home Base at:
339 Division Ave S, Suite B
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Runaway Youth Program
Reaching trafficked and at-risk youth, including LGBTQ+ and homeless youth
Girls court partnership
Mentoring at-risk and trafficked youth in the judicial system
Survivor letters
"sACRED BEGINNINGS GAVE ME A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE"
Dear Ms. Leslie,
I wanted to write this letter to you to tell you again, what Sacred beginnings has done for my life. When I arrived in Grand Rapids, I was as broken as they come with the responsibility of 3 grandsons. I was ready to just quit on life and sadly the kids. God sent me an angel that day as I contemplated how In was going to kill myself. You came out of nowhere and within minutes you were in my Facebook messenger telling me I needed to call you immediately. I thank God everyday for that intervention. After being trafficked, prostitutes and traded from the ages of 14- almost 20 I carried that with me throughout my entire adulthood. I couldn't keep a job, a marriage, or a real friendship. I raised my kids beautifully unruly they were teens then all hell broke loose. I didn't understand how triggered I was when my kids became teens, and I'll always feel responsible for ruining them. Sacred beginnings gave me a second chance at life. It was like you just plucked us out of the universe and said "Okay, we're gonna fix this".
Boy was I in for a surprise. You took me and these 3 boys into your home and you loved me and poured into me until I could love myself and pour into my kids. We were homeless, alone, and didn't have a soul in the world, let alone a plan as we were in a horrible Domestic situation and I can't tell you how lost and alone in the world I truly was....The kids and I grew because of you. I heard you so many nights, not just pray over is, but actually go to war on our behalf!
Today my life is full. I love, LOVE myself! I can effectively parent my kids, I have secured and maintained housing for almost a full year! The kids and I have worked hard in trauma therapy, and today I am DRUG FREE and able to maintain friendships. You helped me break a lot of these chains of bondage that held me for so so long...
The most exciting thing I've encountered is I have a JOB INTERVIEW tomorrow for a store manager position... In so proud of myself and the deep love and gratitude I have for you is something that words can not covey. I had to show action....Thank you for taking a chance on us, because you saved our lives, restored hope and helped heal an entire family. I love you with everything I am....
CINDY
"sIX YEARS LATER. I AM CLEAN. I AM ALIVE. AND I AM AT PEACE."
I walked through the doors of the Sacred Beginnings alone and afraid—and with six months to live. Six years later, I am clean. I am alive. And I am at peace. How I wish that other women that I have known that have succumbed to the depths addiction and illness could have found this before the end—and not have died hopeless and alone! Thank you to my Heavenly Father and to Miss Leslie for loving me when I didn’t and couldn’t love myself.
KATHERINE
