Lighthouse for Life was established as a faith-based 501c3 in 2014 by Andrea Wind after she learned about how prevalent human trafficking was right here in South Carolina. South Carolinians were selling South Carolinians to South Carolinians by the hundreds! Andrea believed something had to be done and after a vision of a lighthouse shining light into the darkness and showing the way for many to find shelter in homes at its base, the Lighthouse for Life non-profit was born.

Karis Home became the first priority of Lighthouse for Life as a residential safe home for female survivors of sex trafficking between the ages of 12-21. It is designed with a highly individualized, trauma informed approach to caring for the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of its residents.  A licensed private school on the property also allows Lighthouse for Life to assist each resident through their education as well.

In the midst of setting up Karis Home, Lighthouse for Life also developed their Awareness Program with the goal of supporting the community in the fight against human trafficking. People from every area (medical, law enforcement, counseling, businesses, parents, youth, etc.) need to know what exactly human trafficking looks like in their area as well what to do as they come across it. Education is critical to both prevent new human trafficking cases in South Carolina as well as assist in the restoration of those already affected.

Lighthouse for Life opened its non-residential Survivor Support program in 2021, after receiving many phone-calls over the years connected with survivors of human trafficking. The Survivor Support program responds to all in-coming calls related to survivor needs and can currently assist with the direct needs of adult female survivors. This program will continue to expand as it walks alongside survivors to support them in their journey from victim to thriver! 

Lighthouse for Life’s vision is for an informed and actively engaged community working together to eradicate human trafficking. We are committed to fight for this end!