Social Justice Highlight: Project Mona's House

​As January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we’d like to take this opportunity to talk about Project Mona’s House, run by founder Kelly Diane Galloway. 


Human trafficking is essentially modern-day slavery and affects many more people (and people closer to home) than we may realize. There are several forms of human trafficking, such as sex trafficking and labor trafficking, that are very difficult to escape from; those who are victimized by trafficking can be affected by the trauma of the experience in deep and lasting ways. Thankfully, Mona's House is an organization working to empower and advocate for victims of trafficking. 


According to the Project Mona’s House website,


Mona's House is designed to help women 18 and older who have been victims of any type of human trafficking.  WE ARE MORE THAN A SHELTER!  Women entering our residence are committed to becoming contributing and functioning members of society, rebuilding their lives, and possibly assisting other women who may choose freedom one day too.  Our 12-24 month program is designed to bring healing to the whole woman-- mind, body, and soul.  We've specifically designed our holistic restoration program for women who have been victimized by human trafficking. 


Mona’s House also offers other programs like Mona’s Group:
Mona’s Group is a support system that is designed specifically for women who have been victims of human trafficking, have worked in most capacities within the sex industry, or have been a victim of sexual abuse or assault. ​


Our goal is to provide a safe place for women to learn, heal, and grow.  Our curriculum is designed to guide women to be the overcomers they were destined to be. Mona’s Group  provides a holistic form of  coaching that is coupled with life skills classes, workshops, and seminars to help its participants  live successful lives and maximize their full potential.  In addition to regular coaching sessions we offer:
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• Cooking classes

• Finance and investments sessions

• Resume writing and job readiness classes

• Healthy family workshops

• Web design courses

• Entrepreneurship coaching  

Mona’s House also includes a drop-in center called the FreeTHEM Center, to “aid human trafficking survivors as well as at-risk women and children in developing life skills and in receiving services in counseling and support.”


And, of course, Mona’s House puts a great deal of time and energy into raising awareness about human trafficking in Buffalo, NY, and the rest of the United States. Be sure to follow them at @projectmonashouse on Instagram for a ton of useful and in-depth information about types of trafficking, groups of people who are most affected by trafficking, issues of consent, and ways to advocate for ending trafficking and supporting victims. 

We are donating a percentage of sales for January to cover the cost of an intake care package, and we hope that you will also go to their website to donate!

Images below are courtesy of Project Mona's House:

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