Safe House For Women Escaping Sex Industry Operates On Very Small Budget

DENVER (CBS4) – 'Tis the season for hope and holiday cheer, and one house in Denver encompasses that in its name -- as well as on its walls.

At first glance a group of women appeared to be just gathered in a house enjoying the holidays, but Streets Hope is a one-of-a-kind safe house for women escaping sex trafficking and the commercial sex industry.

"The sad reality is that we have to exist," said a woman living at Streets Hope.

The good news is there's a place like Streets Hope. The bad news is that more places like Streets Hope are needed.

"Streets Hope has the ability to house up to eight adult women at any given time, and we currently do have a wait list of approximately five women," said Nina Martinez, Streets Hope Executive Director said. "So when women come in off the streets who have been victimized, hurt in ways beyond our imagination, we really, really try to give them a loving and supportive environment."

It's a nonprofit operating on $200,000 or less per year. Martinez has been at the helm for 3 years. She says it's even more important the women have a family-oriented atmosphere for the holidays.

"We have a Christmas tree, we get them gifts, we do stockings for them, we have a family dinner with the ladies," Martinez said.

On a wall filled with messages of hope, believing in yourself is the first step.

"It's beyond amazing to me how they bounce back," Martinez said.

The women work with counselors while they learn how to work on themselves. Group therapy is designed for them to open up and lighten up.

"It helps to build community among the group of women. It also allows them to recover from some of the trauma that they've been through."

For many of the women it's the first time in their adult lives they have felt safe and supported.

"I would just encourage people to look past the stigma and the labels and the issue and really just see that deep down it's a woman in need."

For more information about Streets Hope and how to make a donation, visit streetshope.org.

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