We began simply by going into the streets and befriending exploited women. As we listened, we learned of their true needs. The Starfish Project was born out of our heart to help meet some of those needs. Today, we have several avenues for helping the women we have come to care so much about:

Our volunteers regularly go into the streets and develop relationships with at-risk women. We often take them out for coffee, spend time chatting, give birthday parties or even offer informal English classes.

We regularly take girls to local hospitals and cover the cost of their medical treatment. We also hold events where we teach about health issues.

After months of building relationships, some of these women came to trust us enough to leave life on the streets and come into our shelter. The women that live there are learning a new way of life in community. They become for each other a family which requires them to learn communication skills and strategies for healthy conflict resolution. They also discover that they each have unique talents and gifts, which they are encouraged to explore through practice and additional training. Our shelter is run by several house moms who are committed to day in and day out life with the women.

In 2007 we opened a jewelry business to provide an alternate source of income for the women in our shelter. By participating in various aspects of jewelry making and distribution, they earn a salary that keeps them off the street and in wholesome, life-giving relationships. 100% of our proceeds go to help support the women who made the jewelry.

Each of the women in our shelter has the opportunity to attend vocational school where they can be trained for the future and pursue their dreams.

The women in our shelter receive regular counseling. They participate in group sessions where they begin to heal from their past hurts and learn tools for their future life. They also have the option for one-on-one sessions.