Vision
An engaged and compassionate community where sexual exploitation is not tolerated, human rights and dignity are valued, and the lives of both victims and perpetrators are being restored through God-centered relationships.
Mission
To educate and engage the community to prevent commercial sexual exploitation and to provide comprehensive, restorative care to survivors.
Goals
Stepping Stones Network offers individuals and organizations a variety of ways to get involved. We have three focus areas to address the issue.
- Community Engagement – To activate the community and the church by raising awareness of the reality of sexual exploitation/trafficking and offering specific ways to get involved.
- Prevention & Protection – To reduce demand for commercial sexual exploitation and protect youth and adults from becoming victims through (1) Respectfully and compassionately confronting attitudes about the misuse of sex and the cost of being part of the demand, (2) Educating the public on the tactics used to lure victims and users, (3) Advocating for enforcement of laws related to sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation, and (4) Preventing at-risk youth from being exploited.
- Restorative Services – To offer help to people who have been harmed by sexual violations by (1) Providing a long-term high-touchpoint program for trafficked mothers and their children, that Housing & Basic Needs, Adult Development, and Child Development, (2) Offering workshops and groups for non-violent users of pornography and prostitution, (3) Offering healing groups for any adult who has suffered trauma or sexual violations, and (4) Working in collaboration with other community organizations and agencies to provide care, support, or placement for victims.
Location
Our in-person programming is based in Lake County, IL; however, we also serve participants in Cook and Dupage counties. We collaborate and partner with a variety of organizations in Chicagoland and have reciprocal relationships with other organizations throughout the US. Our long-term recovery program clients may be referred from anywhere in the US, and Lake County clients may be referred to reciprocal organizations. Our groups and educational opportunities are often provided online, so participants may be from any location.
History
Stepping Stones was formed in 2011 when a group of concerned individuals came together to discuss what could be done to address the growing problem of commercial sexual exploitation in the Chicago area and the disturbing lack of trauma recovery services, housing, and employment alternatives for those who have been victimized by this modern-day form of slavery.
In 2014, they merged with Oasis Productions, and Stepping Stones Network was created. Stepping Stones Network is now a program of Oasis Productions, a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
We were mentored through the Wellspring Institute (Atlanta, GA) and surveyed by the Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. We received the full 3-year accreditation.
