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Welcome to Terebinth Refuge, the faith-based shelter working to support survivors of human trafficking.
Terebinth Refuge is a Christ-centered resource offering hope, healing, freedom, and a safe place for sexually exploited and trafficked women. We are bringing education and awareness to the Central Minnesota area to prevent human trafficking.
As a shelter for hope and healing, Terebinth Refuge provides safe, long-term programming along with transitional housing and a variety of on-site services to help survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking attain their individual goals toward recovery and independence. These services include a work readiness program and an aftercare program. With our Request a Speaker, we also work within our community to bring education and awareness about human trafficking in the Central Minnesota area.
At Terebinth Refuge, we focus on the hard truths about sexual exploitation and human trafficking. It’s time to look closer at the REALITY, REASON, RESOURCE, & RELIEF behind Terebinth Refuge.
We’ve sorted our work into four categories.
Through these four branches, we aim to support survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation along their recovery journey.
Here’s a bit about each of them:
Seeing the reality behind human trafficking and sexual exploitation can be hard, but it is a necessary step in creating a community of support. It’s easy to think otherwise, but human trafficking is not just a big-city issue. Women and children are being exploited within the same spaces we all travel through daily. Hundreds of people in our St. Cloud area have been caught purchasing services from human traffickers, including married men. Perpetrators and their victims are not strangers, they could be people you know.
Sex trafficking is defined as the trading of humans, which takes place with the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Trafficking and exploitation often begin with grooming. Through grooming a predator gains the trust of the individual to exploit them. In most cases, this takes place online, but it is not confined there. Survival sex is when an individual is coerced into trading sex for basic needs like food and shelter. In these cases, the unhoused population is especially vulnerable. Financial control acts as a significant barrier to survivors working to leave sex trafficking. A groomer will aim to make someone dependent on them, which makes it difficult to exit the situation.
Until Terebinth Refuge opened in April 2018, survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking did not have a dedicated shelter in the St. Cloud area. Many of the women we serve have been exploited since childhood and have experienced trauma, homelessness, and poverty. Without intervention, many women who are trafficked or exploited have a higher chance of experiencing early death due to homicide, suicide, or drug overdose — they are often trapped in a life of exploitation and abuse, to support themselves and their children. We work to create a space for them to grow, thrive, and share their stories if they are willing.
“…Being around fellow survivors…, who share our experiences and passions, is invaluable. A bond between survivors is special because we inherently understand each other without needing to explain. This mutual understanding fosters a supportive environment…”
– C
Terebinth Refuge is rooted in Christ-centered values as an organization. We provide a nurturing and accepting environment in which women can heal, rebuild their lives, and grow in their faith if they choose. However, we do not require participation in faith-based programs as a condition of shelter or services. We value the uniqueness of each woman in her cultural, ethnic, and religious identity, and provide each woman with individual opportunities for self-advocacy and personal growth.
We offer a well-rounded in-house support system, including but not limited to:
Body – Physical Wellness
Mind – Mental Wellness
Soul – Self-Discovery
Spirit – Faith-Discovery (Optional, without requirement or force.)
We can only do the work outlined above of supporting these women because of generous donations from our community. These donations are not only financial but also take the form of volunteer work and in-kind donations. As a Christ-centered shelter, we do not qualify for many government grants, so your generous gift has a direct impact on our ability to provide the needs and services for survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking every day.
Volunteering at Terebinth Refuge offers an opportunity to directly support individuals in their journey to recovery and empowerment. Your time and effort can make a meaningful difference in providing safety, resources, and compassionate care to those who have experienced exploitation.
When women arrive at Terebinth Refuge, they arrive with nothing, so we do our best to supply them with necessities. Here is a link to our needs list.
Whether through a one-time donation, a monthly commitment, or an annual gift, it provides essential, stable funding for the women in our shelter. Each contribution is deeply valued and helps sustain Terebinth Refuge’s mission to support survivors on their journey to healing and independence.
Include details in your online donation to dedicate to someone special, or contact our office and ask about being part of our Legacy Program!
Give as a sponsor.
In Terebinth Refuge’s Team with Terebinth Program, we classify two types of sponsors: General sponsors and our Church Partnership options. Our partnership donors form a committed, long-term working relationship with our program. These partners help us be confident in going the distance in our support.
We hope you have a better understanding of the work we strive to do here at Terebinth Refuge. Education and awareness of human trafficking are essential to creating an environment where survivors can thrive. Terebinth Refuge is proud to stand as a Christ-centered shelter for survivors of human trafficking, and we plan to continue our work into the future.
Are you interested in donating? Need to apply for our services?
Need help with your current situation? Call 888.373.788 or Text BEFREE to 233733
Terebinth Refuge, a place for hope & healing.