Official Announcement

Criminals collaborate to exploit more people and generate profit from their slavery. What could it look like if faith-based, anti-trafficking organizations came together to multiply our impact? 

North Star Initiative has battled trafficking in Lancaster County since 2011 pursuing the mission to end trafficking in our community and restore trafficking victims. We have expanded and innovated but always stayed focused on our intention to support and advocate for survivors of this crime. 

Collaboration is one of our core values, and we have been grateful to partner over the years with Freedom for Everyone Enslaved (F.R.E.E.), an anti-trafficking organization in Berks County that is also dedicated to raising awareness in the community and investing in survivors’ transformative journeys. At their request, we started envisioning what we could achieve if we joined forces against trafficking. After careful conversations, prayer, and due diligence by both Boards, NSI has entered a new alliance with F.R.E.E. As of June 30th, we are absorbing F.R.E.E.’s programs under North Star’s umbrella. I could not be more excited to expand our mission impact with the passion, humility, dedication, and more importantly the mission alignment and Christ-centeredness of the team in Berks County. Joining our programs ensures that survivors will be served with excellence, and that is ultimately our highest priority. 

What does this mean for the Refuge Home? 

Integrating operations involves the dissolution of F.R.E.E. as a separate non-profit. We will continue to operate the Refuge Home, now as North Star’s Reading team, under my executive leadership and the program leadership of Celeste Hutchinson, NSI’s Clinical Program Director. We will see continued growth in anti-trafficking initiatives and services to survivors. Both the Harbor and the Refuge Home’s will be fruitful and sustainable. I am excited to have Andrea McHenry become North Star Initiative’s Director of Outreach and Advocacy, a role that captures her passion for the restoration of vulnerable women. I especially look forward to the impact this partnership will have on the lives of persons affected by commercial sexual exploitation. 

What does this mean for you? 

I am so thankful that your support has touched thousands of people in Lancaster County. Your gifts continue to impact the lives of survivors, whether you send a check to North Star Initiative or give online (www.northstarinitiative.org/donate). You will receive updates on anti-trafficking efforts across the region through our social media channels and emails. We want to celebrate your mission impact at our annual event! Save the date for October 17 at the Star Barn, and watch for more details to come. If you have questions about setting up online donations or encounter issues, our Development Director, April Miller, would be glad to assist. Please email her at amiller@northstarinitiative.org.  

Our alliance with F.R.E.E. is, as Andrea McHenry says, “the right next step for greater Kingdom impact.” We are excited to see what God will do next! CLICK HERE to read the press release!

To God be the glory,