Adults and Youth

We have developed a unique program that works with offenders who have committed acts of sex trafficking and exploitation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have established a correspondence course that allows those who choose to get better, to actively participate, and to work towards the goal of understanding why this type of behavior is not socially acceptable. The goal is to put an end to the victimization of those being exploited.

The Project S.T.E.P. © started as a self-help group that was designed to instill empathy in offenders and educate them on the impact their actions have on victims. Guest speakers were invited to talk at facilities prior to COVID-19 to share their personal stories regarding the Life, and what could be done to correct this behavior. COVID-19 became an unprecedented pandemic where few people were able to plan. Like many other educational institutions, we had to grapple with the best approach to continue making the program curriculum available to offenders. We created a correspondence course that allowed offenders to still participate in the program which led to the development of our online course. Our online course allows us to reach those who are currently on probation or parole. 

We are continuously working on creative ways to meet those where they are so they can make a positive change in their life.

IRS determined that The Project S.T.E.P. is tax exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 501(c)3. Donors can deduct contributions they make to The Project S.T.E.P. under IRC Section 170.

The Project S.T.E.P. is also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises,  transfers or gifts under Section. 2055, 2106, or 2522. 

Human Trafficking is a crime that involves exploiting a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 and its subsequent re-authorizations define human trafficking as:

1. Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
2. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. (22 U.S.C. § 7102(9)).