Our History

Closing the Gaps for Women Affected by Trafficking and Exploitation

 

In 2004, Catholic Social Services founded the Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Coalition (PATC), bringing together more than 20 organizations, including religious communities, social service agencies, and law enforcement, to combat human trafficking in the region. At a 2007 meeting, public defender Mary DeFusco, Esq., highlighted the lack of trauma recovery services for women charged with prostitution, many of whom were sex trafficking victims. Sisters Teresita Hinnegan, MMS, Terry Shields, MSHR, and Kathleen Coll, SSJ, approached Mary to explore ways they could help break the cycle of trafficking and exploitation.

 

At the Forefront of Change

 

In 2007, Sisters Teresita, Terry and Kathleen, along with Mary and Marissa Bluestine, Esq., founded Dawn's Place — a nonprofit dedicated to establishing Philadelphia’s first combined safe home and recovery program for women healing from the devastating effects of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Named in honor of a murdered prostituted woman from Camden, NJ, Dawn’s Place represents the “dawn” of hope and new beginnings

 

Community Support and Program Expansion

 

Local organizations and businesses quickly rallied to support Dawn’s Place. Soon after its founding, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd donated a house previously used as a shelter for abused women, providing the location for the safe home. Ballard Spahr, LLP,  provided pro bono legal services for incorporation and property acquisition and several religious congregations contributed financially and through ongoing volunteer efforts to create a welcoming environment for survivors

After the initial success, Dawn's Place expanded the program to include transitional housing and aftercare services after securing a donation to purchase a second home, now named Teresita House, after Sr. Teresita, who died in 2020.
 

Referrals and Comprehensive Service

 

Since opening in 2009, Dawn’s Place has served over 150 women from across the United States and around the world. Referrals come from law enforcement agencies, the criminal justice system, mental health or substance recovery programs, as well as a network of anti-trafficking organizations, some of which only offer emergency or short-term shelter

 

A Model of Collaborative Success

Dawn’s Place exemplifies the power of collaborative community action, combining coalition advocacy with direct survivor support. Its innovative approach has set a new standard in Philadelphia for supporting women affected by trafficking and exploitation, offering not just shelter, but a true home and path to recovery.