Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

  • NSI is not a rescue organization. Survivors are referred to us through many channels:

    • Emergency shelters such as The Salvation Army and YWCA, among others

    • The National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA)

    • Federal, state, and local law enforcement, including Homeland Security

    • Survivors can also contact us directly by phone, email, text or website

  • We are able to accept local women if they are not considered at risk; we also welcome survivors from across the United States. Because survivors live in constant fear of their traffickers, we work with the NTSA and our other partners to place them at safe locations. This arrangement helps to ensure the safety and security of survivors, their families, and the staff and volunteers of NSI and other shelters.

  • While the program typically ranges from 6 to 12 months, the length of stay depends on each survivor's individual needs and unique circumstances. Survivors are assessed during the application process and again upon admission; throughout their stay at The Harbor, they work closely with case-management teams to track progress and make adjustments as necessary. Our goal is for each woman to leave The Harbor restored and equipped with the skills needed to live a healthy, independent life.

    Once accepted into The Harbor, survivors are required to fully participate in the restoration program and activities. While our vision is for each woman to complete the program and achieve her personal and career goals, they are free to withdraw from the program at any time. In such cases, NSI attempts to help the survivor relocate to a safe environment; ultimately, however, the decision on where to go, and what to do, after leaving The Harbor is the survivor's responsibility.

  • Examples of daily activities include group meals, individual and group therapy, chores, education and training, devotions, and recreation and free time. The program provides structure, but is also tailored to address each woman’s specific needs.

  • • Drug and alcohol treatment

    • Complex-trauma therapy

    • Counseling and mental-health support

    • Valid identification

    • Education and job-skills

    • Life-skills, such as financial and household management

    • Driver's license

    • Clean criminal-record

    • Appropriate employment and adequate wages

    • Safe, affordable housing

    • Bank account

    • Peer and community support

    While The Harbor program addresses these needs, it can be daunting for sex-trafficking survivors to re-enter the community. That is why NSI's “Next Steps” project is so important: It will provide on-site, transitional living space for survivors who have completed the program and are ready for the next phase of their healing journey. Survivors need additional time, support, and mentoring as they take their first steps toward fully integrating back into the community.

Donor FAQs

  • NSI is funded exclusively by our generous donors and supporters.

    Survivors arrive at The Harbor with literally nothing; financial gifts help provide food and clothing, various therapies, transportation, medical assessments and medications, tutoring and testing, ID acquisition, legal coordination, and much more. Your gift, no matter how small, directly impacts the life of a sex-trafficking survivor at The Harbor.

    We are committed to financial transparency and earned GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency, demonstrating our focus on measuring progress and results.

  • Along with operating The Harbor restoration home and program, we impact our local community through:

    EDUCATION − Sex trafficking is no longer an "overseas problem", it's a Lancaster County problem. The Harbor has become a point of reference for citizens who had been unaware of local sex trafficking. Our dedicated staff and volunteers help educate our community about trafficking, how to recognize the signs, how to protect family members and friends from predators, and what to do if they suspect trafficking is occurring.

    ADVOCACY − We offer our resources to local survivors and others who are participating, or testifying, in trafficking trials. North Star Initiative was founded to help give survivors a "voice"; wherever and whenever possible, we provide the support and encouragement they need to move forward.

  • Among the most complex of crime victims, trafficking survivors often require a multidisciplinary approach to address their severe physical and emotional trauma and numerous other issues; emergency and other temporary shelters are simply not designed to address their needs. The Harbor's program addresses the "whole" woman from a trauma-specific perspective, and all staff members are trauma-informed. Residing in a safe and loving environment, survivors can rest and heal from their trauma while receiving individualized treatment and support.

  • Examples of daily activities include group meals, individual and group therapy, chores, education and training, devotions, and recreation and free time. The program provides structure, but is also tailored to address each woman’s specific needs.

  • We have a variety of opportunities for community engagement and support. Check out our Get Involved Tab or contact us at info@northstarinitiative.org.

Referral FAQs

  • That is not necessary. Submit the application because, even if The Harbor is full, we have a network of other providers who can help find placement facilities.

  • Provide as much detail as possible in the application, including the reason for the urgency, and send it to our Executive Director. We may be able to move the survivor to a safe-house location until she is ready to transition to our program.

  • Minors should be referred to minor-serving facilities. Under certain circumstances, we can accept an emancipated minor, or a minor whose parents grant us temporary custody.

  • Yes, many of our residents are involved with active cases. You'll need to provide all necessary contact information about the survivor's court obligations and keep us apprised of case progress. Our Executive Director will ensure that professionals working with residents on court cases have access to their clients, as well as communication time outside of regular phone-time privileges.

  • For a woman ordered into our program in lieu of incarceration, we need to include the attorney/court official in the intake process. We can recommend guidelines for the order and provide you with a letter of Conditional Acceptance for the judge.

  • We strongly recommend you find detox/rehab resources near her, and we will stay in touch while she does that work. We may be able to find her a rehab program near us; however, that does not guarantee she will be admitted to The Harbor. She must successfully complete at least 30 days of rehab before we will consider her.

  • To be accepted into The Harbor, the survivor agrees to adhere to our policies and to follow a structured program and schedule. Unwillingness to do so may indicate she is not ready for our restoration program.

  • No, she does not. We welcome each woman regardless of her spiritual preference. North Star Initiative is a Christ-centered organization, and we ask only that she be willing to participate in faith-based discussions and attend church services with our staff and other residents.