seeking freedom for those in the sex trade
The mission of Boundless Mercy to to seek freedom for those in the sex trade. While that goal sounds simple, fulfilling it is an extremely complex and layered process, as each individual’s situation is unique. True freedom takes courage and perseverance on the part of the person who longs for it; it also requires determination and commitment on the part of anyone attempting to support the process. It can be a long road.
OUTREACH
Boundless Mercy stumbled into its first outreach effort in December of 2011 after months of prayer and an occasional training session with other organizations. The team of two former homeschooling mothers never intended to establish an organization or to be in this area of service for the long haul. However, they discovered they could not turn their backs on the ones they met in the strip clubs and brothels they visited. The two women found that sex industry workers were like themselves — people with hopes, dreams, and disappointments — albeit with less advantageous circumstances. Many of those the team encountered were the same age as their own young adult children. That fact alone was enough to compel them to continue!
Within a matter of a few months, the team kept adding to the number of locations they visited every two weeks. They befriended sex industry workers, managers, and even business owners. Within about 18 months, they were distributing 350 homemade cookies and 175 notes of encouragement to an average of 175 individuals every time they ventured out to the same strip clubs, brothels, and sex shops. That amounts to over 8000 cookies annually, along with over 4000 handwritten notes!
That level of outreach has been sustained ever since, and other services have been developed in the process. A list of service providers is provided via a QR code on a business card in every cookie bag given to sex industry workers; that code links to an online document with a list of trusted service providers offering food distribution, short- and long-term housing assistance, medical services, counseling, and legal support. What’s the purpose? — to EQUIP sex industry workers for a new life with more options!
AWARENESS & EDUCATION
Boundless Mercy also offers awareness sessions to groups of any size and any age level. It is vital that we realize what is happening right in front of our noses
BUILDING COMMUNITY
Another sphere of activity developed in an effort to build trust and foster collaboration with other anti-trafficking organizations in the Houston metro area. We are all on the same team, and no one has all the answers. We learn from one another and can support one another in the fight to end human trafficking. Accordingly, in cooperation with an international network called 27 Million, Boundless Mercy spearheads a quarterly fellowship lunch for representatives of any and all anti-trafficking groups to gather, get to know one another, and encourage one another. We have found we are stronger together! No committee participation or fees are required. If you are interested, contact linda.grim@27Million.com
PRACTICAL ACTION & A BIG DREAM
The cookie distribution has come full circle, as we established the non-profit Ark Bakery & Café in 2018 (online only at that point) to raise public awareness of human trafficking with every sale and to begin raising funds for a brick-and-mortar space for the purpose of offering fair-wage culinary internships to human trafficking survivors needing a fresh start in life. In 2023, we tested our model by operating in three kitchens plus a sales outlet. We have built a wonderful community of talented volunteers who support the cause and one another. Unable to expand further in the sales outlet space, we shifted once again and are saving funds by retaining the kitchen spaces while selling in a temporary pop-up location until we are able to consolidate production and sales under one roof. At that point, we will be able to hire staff and establish internships we plan to offer to survivors. The Ark seeks freedom for those in the sex trade by combating trafficking in tangible ways and making every crumb count!
EIN #83-0803649
BOUNDLESS MERCY 