Who We Are

ARISE Ministry empowers individuals involved in the sex trade to reclaim hope in their lives. Through providing outreach, case management, and pastoral care; helping relationships are established, hope is fostered, and futures are reclaimed.

Outreach

ARISE provides street level outreach on a weekly basis to individuals working on the prostitution strolls. Through outreach we seek to build relationships, offer relief, and provide support. 

Case Management Program

ARISE offers a goal-oriented, one-on-one case management program for those who are or who have been involved in the sex trade. The case management program works with each participant on the goals they identify and is individualized. Weekly meetings include a check-in, life skills, counselling and goal setting.

Self-Defence Program

ARISE offers a free women's self-defence program in partnership with a local martial arts academy.

Pastoral Care

ARISE offers chaplaincy and spiritual care to the community through accompaniment, advocacy, hospital and jail visits. 

The Meaning of ARISE

The name ARISE has dual meaning, as an acronym it stands for Advocacy and Reclaiming those Involved in the Sex-trade through Empowerment.  We advocate for the rights, goals, and dreams of women, youth and children who have become victims of sex-trafficking.  Reclaiming means, “to recover and redeem, to restore value to something that has been devalued” (Brendtro, Brokenleg & Van Bockern, 2002:3).  Those involved in the sex-trade have been devalued through coercion, exploitation, abuse, isolation, and prejudice.  It is the hope of this program to empower these individuals through relationship and goal setting that they might be able to advocate and reclaim for themselves and their lives.

However, beyond the acronym the deeper theological meaning comes the parallels between the bent-over woman who Jesus heals (Luke 13:10-17) and the lived experiences of those involved in the sex-trade who have been bent-over and crippled by exploitation, trauma, abuse, and addiction.  Jesus healed the woman in the Gospel and she immediately arose, stood up straight, and began praising God for the wonderful things God had done.  It is our hope, prayer, and firm belief that God will do wonderful things in the lives of these victims allowing them to arise, stand up straight, and begin praising.