SPOKANE, Wash. — The walls of a former gentlemen’s club are coming down to make way for healing.
The space, once known as the Deja Vu, is now being transformed into a place of refuge for survivors of sex trafficking.
Each demolition moves Helping Captives one step closer to transforming the space into emergency care for space.
“We found over time just an immense lead for emergency stabilization services within our networks,” said Helping Captives founder Caleb Altmeyer.
Helping Captives is one of the only anti-trafficking organizations in the area offering 24 hour care for survivors.
“We get them right when they’re coming out of life and we help them right when they’re coming out of life and we help them feel safe and help them get stable and help them go through case management and counseling,” Altmeyer said.
The care provided by Helping Captives goes far beyond Spokane. Many of those it helps are from out of state and the organization has outgrown its space.
Altmeyer said the convenience of this building’s location made it feel like the perfect fit for the organization’s new headquarters, to be known as the Freedom Center.
“Something that was considered a stain on this community is they’ve gone through a complete transformation,” volunteer Cory DeYoung said. “It’s not going to be the same. Before too long, it’s going to be beautiful. It’ll be something you can be proud of when you drive by.”
Once demolition is complete, the next step is infrastructure, building offices and counseling rooms for case management.
Demolition days are scheduled throughout the month.
For more information on how to get involved, click here.
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