Vista Maria, a care and treatment center for survivors of human trafficking, recently announced plans to expand to meet the demand of increasing cases in Southeast Michigan.
Vista Maria, a care and treatment center for survivors of human trafficking, recently announced plans to expand to meet the demand of increasing cases in Southeast Michigan.
So far, the facility has raised $2.4 million of the $4.6 million needed to build the new center, in part through the support of CMF members, DeRoy Testamentary Foundation and the McGregor Fund.
"The McGregor Fund board and staff is honored to support the facility that's first-of-its-kind to give a safe secure centralized facility for victim care and restoration," Kate Levin Markel, president, McGregor Fund said.
“The DeRoy Testamentary Foundation is so pleased to be able to work with Vista Maria in their honorable journey to tackle this important issue,” Julie Rodecker, president, DeRoy Testamentary Foundation said. “We are confident that the profound impact that Vista Maria has made in the recovery of human trafficking victims will continue with this expansion.”
Vista Maria estimates 200,000 children are victims of sex trafficking nationally — 1,200 girls in southeast Michigan alone. In 2018, Vista Maria aided 60 girls younger than 16 years old. In 2017, it aided 50 girls.
The new center is expected to open in 2020, providing residential treatment and housing for 16 girls and host an emergency intake wing for up to three female children.
