Project Dark 2 Light Reaches Phase II Funding Goal

Oklahoma's first real-world solution to transform the lives of human sexual trafficking victims grows closer to reality.

When DaySpring Villa Executive Director Wilma Lively received a phone call on an ordinary Tuesday in May, Phase II of Project Dark 2 Light officially became fully funded. The Phase II goal of $658,610 encompasses new construction and renovation costs to exclusively accommodate trafficked women.

"An anonymous donor pledged $50,000 to help us meet the final leg of our fundraising efforts for Phase II," Lively says. "I cannot express how thankful we are to live in a state where towns and cities come together like one big community to help women who have risked their lives to escape sexual slavery."

Fundraising for Phase II of Project Dark 2 Light began little more than a year ago after DaySpring Villa was certified by the Oklahoma Attorney General in April 2012 to provide emergency shelter, food, clothing and specialized services to victims of human sexual trafficking. As the only faith-based, certified domestic violence shelter in Oklahoma, DaySpring Villa became the first shelter in the state to also earn certification to aid trafficked women.

"Once we achieved Phase I certification for Project Dark 2 Light, we reached out to individuals, churches, companies, foundations and other organizations across the state to help us make this program a reality," Lively says. "As more and more Oklahomans realized that sexual trafficking was occurring right here with our own children and young women, they were quick to lend their financial support."

To date, the shelter has received 33 trafficking survivors and seven of their children. Because DaySpring Villa receives no government or United Way funding, the shelter relies on financial gifts from caring individuals, companies, foundations and churches of every denomination.

"We are so grateful to those who have told us, 'This is something I want to be a part of. This is something that affects every community in Oklahoma,' " Lively says. "To all of our donors and those who've worked so hard to broadcast our message across the state, we sincerely thank you for supporting Project Dark 2 Light."

To show your support for Project Dark 2 Light, make a financial gift today to help us transform the lives of women who've escaped a life of sexual slavery. You may donate online or mail your gift to DaySpring Villa, P.O. Box 1588, Sand Springs, Okla. 74063. To schedule a presentation or tour, call Wilma Lively at 918.245.4075.