About ARISE Ministry. The meaning of ARISE.

Advocacy and Reclaiming those Involved in the Sex-trade through Empowerment

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The word ARISE has a dual meaning, as an acronym, it stands for Advocacy and Reclaiming those Involved in the Sex-trade through Empowerment. We advocate for the rights, goals, and dreams of women, youth and children who have become victims of sex-trafficking.

Reclaiming means, “to recover and redeem, to restore value to something that has been devalued” (Brendtro, Brokenleg & Van Bockern, 2002:3).  Those involved in the sex trade have been devalued through coercion, exploitation, abuse, isolation, and prejudice. It is the hope of this program to empower these individuals through relationship and goal setting that they might be able to advocate and reclaim for themselves and their lives.

However, beyond the acronym, the deeper theological meaning comes from the parallels between the bent-over woman who Jesus heals (Luke 13:10-17) and the lived experiences of those involved in the sex-trade who have been bent-over and crippled by exploitation, trauma, abuse, and addiction. Jesus healed the woman in the Gospel and she immediately arose, stood up straight, and began praising God for the wonderful things God had done. It is our hope, prayer, and firm belief that God will do wonderful things in the lives of these victims allowing them to arise, stand up straight, and begin praising.

What We Do women, youth, and children who are victims of sex trafficking and/or have

ARISE Ministry works with women, youth, and children who are victims of sex trafficking and/or have worked in the sex trade

 

ARISE Ministry provides case management for up to five women per month

 

ARISE Ministry provides street outreach to the prostitution strolls one night a week, (Thursday evenings beginning at 11:30 pm) in partnership with the Yonge Street Mission

 

ARISE Ministry builds partnerships with organizations that serve at-risk children and youth with the hope of preventing involvement in the sex trade and offering support to children, youth, and women already involved