Pop-Up at the Laundromat

We have signs up in the area saying, “If you are a woman living a life you never wanted to live, in a place you never wanted to be, we will do your laundry for you.”

We take a shade tent, camp chairs, refreshments, toiletries, used clothing, detergent & quarters. Oh, and cut flowers, too, because we want to communicate: You are worth the extra effort!

The objective is to build relationships so when they decide this life isn’t working for them, they have a face and a phone # to call. We can usually get them into detox that day, then help them chart out the next steps into a rehab program, sober house and eventually healthy independence.

John School Palm Beach County

For those arrested on misdemeanor prostitution charges – either buying or selling – our John School classes, along with recent STI testing and court fee payment, will get those charges removed from your record.

The whole idea is education!  Both buyers and sellers need to know the 40+ sexually transmitted infections that are out there. While buyers pay tuition, sellers are scholarshipped.  The school is a funding stream for LHPBC.

Buyers’ classes have a section presented by Becky & a trafficking survivors titled, “Facts Vs. Myths of Prostitution.” The survivor shares what it was like for her in relation to the myths commonly held by buyers. The afternoon is a group therapy session covering socialization, objectification, pornography and sexual addictions over driving commercial sex purchases. These classes are offered in English as well as Spanish.

Sellers’ classes have a section presented by Becky & a trafficking survivors titled, “The Lies I Believed That Kept Me There.” The survivor shares how family of origin trauma, dissociation, low self-worth, rape and other factors landed her with a prostitution charge. The afternoon is a group therapy session. We start with a dress, high heels and beads draped over a chair – and the question, “How did she get there?” There is always a story that lands someone in the life of prostitution. No one starts out thinking as a child THAT is what they want to be when they grow up!!  We also use the time to explore the impact of previous trauma, low self-worth, addictions and options we can make available for treatment, restoration programs, educational grants, etc.

Diversion Program for Felony Seller Offenders has been beyond us until now. We have offered to partner with  theState’s Attorney’s office by overseeing a felony offender’s participation in a drug rehab program, then transferring to a sober house. The rehab begins the process of recovering from the trauma, rape and life skill deficits often behind the lifestyle. LHPBC assumes therapeutic services once the rehab services expire. If they walk, we report them to the State Attorney’s office and the original charges and sentencing are reinstated.

However, 25% of the 146 arrests for sellers since LightHousePBC assumed the John School training were for felony charges. This option could make a very significant difference in the number of women being prostituted on the streets!!

We are also pressing the judges to add the John School to the probation requirements once a woman is out of jail. The law actually now requires this, but it has not been implemented here yet.