Giving hope to human trafficking survivors

INDIANAPOLIS — Human trafficking is not just a problem in other countries. It’s happening right here, in communities across Indiana.

Linda Muegge, Indiana Farm Family of the Year award winner, is an advocate for the men, women and children affected by human trafficking.

She served on the board of the Hope Center Indy for five years. Hope Center is a recovery center for female traffic victims.

Muegge continues to advocate for the program.

“They started out with a desire to help women recover,” she said. “A lot of these people have been trafficked from the time they were 2 or 3 years old. It’s not just a story of being grabbed or taken.

“There are situations were brothers, sisters, uncles, mothers, dads are harming these kids. I was taught that from wherever you sit, within your ZIP code somebody is going through this.”

Imagine trying to adjust to life after a traumatic experience, Muegge urged.

“They’re lost in this world,” she said. “They don’t have a high school diploma. They may not have a Social Security card or driver’s license. So, when people say ‘Go to work and get a real job.’ How? A lot of them have no education. The Hope Center helps them.”

Whether it’s assistance finishing high school, finding drug recovery aid, vocational training, or other forms of help — the center offers an array of options.

Care

Since its founding, the center has offered comprehensive care to 115 survivors in search of safety and restoration from across the United States.

K-9 Training Center

In partnership with Jordan Detection K-9, the Hope Center’s barn serves to train electronic scent detection dogs to assist in identifying potential child victims of sex trafficking and abuse.

In 2023, there were 556 search warrants conducted by K-9s trained at Hope Center Indy, resulting in 377 arrests and the identification of 152 survivors.

Food Pantry

The David Nolen Pantry of Hope has seen significant growth since it first opened in 2020, when it served 30 families each week.

In 2023, 280 families were served weekly. This added up to about 3 million pounds of food given to people in need.

Businesses

There are also three businesses associated with the organization: the Redefined Hope Boutique, Freedom Barn, and Redefined Roots Garden and Greenhouse. They provide vocational skills and employment to residents and raise money for programs.

The boutique is a one-stop shop for all things fashion and coffee. All proceeds benefit the Hope Center.

The Freedom Barn is a historic 5,000-square-foot space designed for weddings, corporate events, private events, ministry functions and more.

The Redefined Roots Garden and Greenhouse offers plants and gardening products for sale to support the mission of the Hope Center.

Learn more at www.hopecenterindy.org.