Stepping Stones Network Moms & Kids Program

The Stepping Stones Network Moms & Kids Program provides long-term wrap around services for sex trafficking victims who are mothers with children in Chicago, IL and surrounding areas. Services treat both mother and child as client in facilitating their road to recovery while protecting them from additional exploitation. The goal of the proposed project is to strengthen and expand the Stepping Stones Network Moms & Kids program to increase the impact of the existing long-term program and produce graduates. Objectives for the project include program graduates who are: (a) Living independently in a safe environment and maintaining a safe circle of support, (b) Establishing economic independence via pursuing work or education consistently, (c) Remaining free from the cycle of exploitation, (d) Children’s ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) scores are lower than the scores of their parent(s), and (e) BASK (Behaviors, Attitudes, Skills & Knowledge) scores measure and show improvement in life skills, holistic health, home management, parenting, relationships, trauma resolution and addiction recovery. Per Priority Consideration A, grant funded activities will provide higher priority access for black women and children adversely affected by inequality and lack of stable family systems. Participants will be (1) Living away from high violence locations in a safer environment; (2) Provided stable, full or partially subsidized independent housing for up to 24 months near the SSN Adult & Child Development Center; (3) Provided consistent, daily face-to-face services for both adults and children to develop life skills, break the cycle of trauma, and be provided with economic opportunity; and (4) Maintaining and expanding a safe circle of support and a sense of community, while helping one another through survivor-led mentorship.