MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $47,000 grant to an organization that helps sex trafficking victims find safe shelter and restore their lives.
The WellHouse, a rescue and recovery organization based in St. Clair County, houses women and girls who have been victims of the sex trafficking trade and are seeking help.
“It seems unfathomable that in the 21st Century that this type of evil would exist,” Gov. Ivey said. “The Wellhouse program is there to assist females caught in terrible situations and are wanting to escape and reshape their lives.”
The organization will use the grant funds to purchase a 15-passenger van compliant with the American Disabilities Act requirements.
The WellHouse assisted 77 females in 2020 by providing secure and safe housing, according to the organization. The WellHouse responds to calls around the clock and works with law enforcement agencies and other organizations to help women escape sex trafficking situations. Women are transitioned back into society through counseling, education and job skills, legal advocacy and other needed assistance.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“Gov. Ivey and ADECA are supportive of The WellHouse and the important role it plays in liberating women from terrible situations,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.
Gov. Ivey notified Allan Worthington, The WellHouse board president, that the grant had been approved. The WellHouse also relies on private contributions to ensure that victims receive a full range of services.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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