On April 25th, SITD hosted a program on Sex Trafficking. Melissa Holland, from Awaken, and Andrea Chapman and Nancy Settle from Sierra Community House (SCH) presented an overview of sex trafficking and prostitution in Reno and the Tahoe-Truckee areas. They highlighted the services that both groups offer to help women and girls and some boys leave those situations, get into a safe environment and develop skills and confidence to rebuild their lives.
Both Awaken in Reno and SCH have opportunities for SITD members to help. Both groups have homes for women and children to live as they find a new future. Because of the generous grant from Whittier Trust, SITD was able to grant $5000 to Awaken and Sierra Community House. The grants will be used for three projects:
- SCH- $2000 will be used to prepare backpacks and the items women who are escaping violence or trafficking and need such as clothes, shampoo, underwear.
- SCH- $500 has been used to print STOP TRAFFICKING signs that direct people to a 24/7 hotline manned by SCH.
- Awaken - $1500 for a celebration for 7 trafficked high school girls who are graduating from high school.
Contact information:
Andrea Chapman, Crisis Advocacy Manager
Sierra Community House
12313 Soaring Way, Suite B
Truckee, CA 96161
T: (530)240-6643
24-HR Helpline: 1-800-736-1060
Nancy Settle, Community Education and Outreach Organizer
Sierra Community House
Melissa Holland, Founder and Executive Director
Awaken Reno
775-393-9183
