A recent Inland Empire Community Foundation grant will support a nonprofit group’s long-term residential program for survivors of human trafficking.
Rebirth Homes received a grant via the Seraphim Fund, which aids women and children, to assist with its Victim to Survivor Program. Debbie Martis, CEO and founder of Rebirth Homes, said the program is comprehensive.
“We just acquired a large home in Corona, and we’re slowly building out capacity for that,” Martis said. “The grant funding will make a huge difference in supporting the healing and employment of these survivors of trafficking.”
Martis founded the nonprofit organization in 2012 to spread awareness about human trafficking.
“It’s really been a faith journey for me,” she said of the work.
Martis began hearing about human trafficking in 2008 when she was working in a different field in the for-profit sector. Something shifted when she attended a conference that year. Martis learned that 27 million people were being trafficked around the globe.
“I just felt like my bubble that I’ve been living in had been burst,” Martis said. “I felt like I needed to support those doing the work.”
After a series of serendipitous events and collaboration, a vision for the nonprofit organization emerged in 2012.
“When we opened our first home, it really was about education and involving the community, because it’s a large community,” Martis said. “And it’s the community that keeps Rebirth Homes fueled. That’s where the impact is.”
Rebirth Homes offers comprehensive wrap-around services that address physical, mental, emotional and spiritual “healing.”
The residential program has four phases and can be completed in two years, Martis said.
Women who enter the program set individual goals. Rebirth Homes accompanies women on their journeys, helping them through significant life transitions.
A support community and an extensive list of comprehensive services filter into the mix.
“One of the big things we offer through our long-term residential program is employing program participants,” Martis said. “It’s really important to know that within the Inland Empire, Rebirth Homes is the only nonprofit doing what we’re doing with a long-term comprehensive program with employment to human trafficking survivors.”
The program offers employment in the organization’s Freedom Shop, where survivor-made products are created and sold.
Rebirth Homes is seeking volunteers and encourages people to visit its website for more information.
The organization’s 2025 Fall Gala is set for Friday, Oct. 17, at The Grove Community Church in Riverside.
For information, click here.
