The Harbor, Lighthouse for Life’s new drop-in center for human trafficking survivors, hosted its grand opening at 1038 St. Andrews Rd. in Columbia on June 3. Several people from the community attended the event including members of the Chapin Woman’s Club. The CWC initially learned about the group’s mission in 2018 when a representative gave a presentation at one of their meetings about the horrors of human trafficking in South Carolina. Soon after, they began giving them grants to show their support.
Lighthouse for Life, a faith-based organization originated in 2014, provides both short-term and long-term assistance to individuals. Services such as counseling, legal assistance, tattoo/branding removal/covering, financial advice, GED training/testing and utilization of the curriculum, Ending the Game, is used to help women as they restore their lives.
While The Harbor is not a residential home, it is a safe haven. Survivors have access to all its amenities such as laundry facilities, showers and the kitchen. Initially, when the property was purchased two years ago, it was in deplorable condition and not visible from the street. Lighthouse for Life’s intention was to purchase it and use the profits to buy another building which would serve as their drop-in center. Linzy Lair, public relations and development director, said, “Lisa Kejr, our CEO, and I were checking the property out and saw evidence of squatters living in it, drug use, pornography, etc. Outside one of the windows, was one glittery high heel shoe that seemed to confirm what we suspected; the very demographic of people we seek to serve was already familiar with this location and was perhaps even taking shelter in it. We thought then and there, ‘We have to redeem this place for God’s glory, and we pray those very same people will come back here for help’ and thus began the renovation process.’”
Paul Cumbers, operation director, was the lead organizer for the renovation. Laird said, “He shared our mission with many different local businesses who then chose to donate their labor, materials, and/or services to help us complete this project. It has been amazing to see many in our community join together to help us accomplish this goal for the sake of our mission!”
While grants and monetary donations are integral in supporting Lighthouse for Life, the community can help in many ways. Volunteers are needed to teach life skills to the survivors and also organize Freedom Bags. "They can invite us to come present our Sex Trafficking 101 training to groups because the more people know about this heinous crime, the more likely it can be prevented and current cases can be reported," Laird said. "And of course, people can join our prayer team. We send out two weekly emails on Mondays about current praises and prayer requests.”
Lighthouse for Life also hosts two fundraisers each year: Light the Fight 5K in the spring and a fall formal, Fund the Fight, which will be held on Sept. 12. More details can be found at lighthouseforlife.org. Their contact info is info@lighthouseforlife.org and 803-669-0110.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 888-373-7888 and the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force text number is 233733.