About Us

Refuge for Women is a non-profit, faith based organization providing specialized emergency housing and long-term care for women who have escaped sex trafficking or sexual exploitation. With multiple locations across the U.S., Refuge for Women offers a multi-year continuum care. Our residents receive around the clock care as they progress through evidence-based, trauma-informed programming. We strive to help each woman complete the program with a vision for her future, equipped to succeed and sustain a life marked with dignity and hope.

OUR MISSION

To empower sexually exploited women to live a life of freedom through faith-based, residential healing programs.

OUR VISION

That every woman who is sexually exploited will have the hope, support, and tools needed to pursue her dreams and live a life of freedom.

OUR VALUES

SAFETY

8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9

FAITH

6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7

UNITY

12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12

ACCOUNTABILITY

48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Luke 12:48

COMMUNICATION

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
Ephesians 4:15

Values

PROGRAM TYPES

Emergency House Program (90 Days)

The Emergency House Program provides survivors with up to 90 days of safe housing and supportive services in a low-barrier, trauma-informed environment with 24/7 staff support. Residents receive assistance with basic needs, medical care and detox support, mental health services, substance use treatment, case management, and other resources to help them take their next safe steps.

Long-Term Program (12 Months)

The Long-Term Housing program offers daily schedules of trauma-responsive, best-practice curricula, a shared residential home with 24/7 staff support, weekly individual and group counseling, psychiatric care, life skills training, educational assistance and pre-employment readiness services. Women may choose to move into a transitional living home upon graduating the long-term program.

Transitional Living (12-18 Months)

Our Transitional Living homes provide women with continued physical and mental health services and any addiction recovery support while practicing independent living. Residents are employed full- or part-time, seeking employment and/or enrolled in an educational program to further support their economic independence.

Free to Flourish Affordable Housing (Up to 5 Years):

Residents live independently in their own apartment while going to school, and/or working full- or part-time, and participating in counseling/recovery services or any needed life skills education. Rent is initially subsidized so they can navigate new educational and vocational opportunities without increasing their financial burden. Our 2-bedroom units are reserved for women with children. Women may stay up to five years to remove barriers to employment and housing, and acquire and stabilize critical resources and support networks.

CENTRAL LEADERSHIP

Abby Germer - President

Abby has been passionate about Sex Trafficking since 2009 when she found herself helping women in the Red Light District of Mumbai, India. She was on the startup team for Refuge for Women North Texas in 2015 where she initially served as Board Chair.

Learn more about Abby.

Learn More About Abby
Dr. Nikki Instone - Vice President of Program

Nikki currently serves as the Vice President of Program. She has previously served as the National Program Director and Executive Director of Operations. She is also a Clinical Psychologist who provided therapy for over 20 years.

Learn more about Nikki.

Leigh Ranson - Vice President of Administration

Leigh currently serves Refuge for Women as the Vice President of Administration. She began with our organization as a volunteer – leading a Bible study each week in our safe house.

Learn more about Leigh.

Christina has been passionate about the anti trafficking movement since a young age and has devoted many years to understanding the realities surrounding it. In 2020, she joined the North Texas location as a Direct Care Associate.

Learn more about Christina.

Peyton Richardson, Executive Assistant

Peyton currently serves Refuge for Women as the Executive Assistant. Her passion for serving trafficked and sexually exploited women began in 2013 while doing mission work in the red light district in Ethiopia.

Learn more about Peyton.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PAT SMITH

  • Board Chair
  • Serve Denton
KAREN SCHULTZ
  • Board Chair
  • Former Refuge for Women Executive Director
STEVE OGLESBY
  • Board Treasurer
  • Baptist Health, Retired
TODD VEIRS
  • Board Secretary
  • Humana
MARTY LAMB
  • Board Member
  • Los Angeles Dodgers

RICHARD HARRIS

  • Board Member
  • BCT, LLC
MEGAN NICHOLSON
  • Board Member
  • ImageArb, LLC Partner
Ked Frank, founder of Refuge for Women, spent 13 years building and leading Refuge for Women. He and Michelle have been married for 20 years and have three children. The Refuge for Women mission and vision continue on in his honor.
"Of course, founding Refuge for Women was one of the greatest joys of our lives. We will always champion the mission of Refuge for Women—and hope that you do, too. Let’s continue to work on behalf of every woman and child in harm’s way!"
- Ked Frank