Our History
Restorations grew out of the unified passion of a small group of individuals, to see a solution to the gap of long-term services to survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking in Canada.
2013
In September 2013, gathered in the living room of a home, the team met for the first time and committed to the work of establishing a residential program of holistic recovery and restoration, specializing in the needs faced by women exiting sexual exploitation and the trauma of sex trafficking.
2014
Throughout 2014, the Restorations team worked to establish a solid foundation on which the organization could build and thrive. Restorations Second Stage Homes became an incorporated Not-for-Profit organization with the federal government of Canada. Research and consultation with various organizations, individuals, and survivors across North America helped to form what is now our residential program model. Strategic planning and relationships kept the team focused and moving forward despite seemingly insurmountable odds.
2015
Restorations was granted charitable status in Canada and established some key partnerships that would help see the vision of long-term care come to fruition. Survivor consultation played a key role in refining the details of Restorations’ intended programming. With charitable status, Restorations’ Board of Directors began fundraising to support the long-term goal of opening a home for survivors.
2018
Restorations hired its first staff member, Jennifer Lucking, as Executive Director. In November 2018, we announced that we were moving forward with renovating a home in Halton, Ontario.
2019
Our staff team continued to grow as we utilized the Canada Summer Jobs grant for summer employees. With the help of these grants, we have hired multiple summer staff every summer since then to assist with projects like communications, policy development, and research.
Throughout 2019, work continued with planning for the upcoming renovations. While we anticipated that a good amount of work on the house would take place throughout the second half of the year, the season instead consisted of logistical work, planning, and obtaining permits — thanks to Team Shane who managed the renovation project. By December 2019, work was underway at the house and the beginning of 2020 saw demolition, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and framing work.
2020
2020 was an immense year of growth for Restorations. Although COVID-19 presented many challenges for Restorations, the survivors we serve, and our supporters, many milestones and accomplishments still took place. The renovations on our home safely wrapped up in late 2020 and with support from local businesses our home was furnished and decorated.
Also in 2020, the Restorations Survivor-Led Peer Support Program was launched under the leadership of survivors of human trafficking.
2021
In early 2021, Fiorella Kuczma took on the role of Interim Executive Director while Jennifer Lucking was on maternity leave. More improvements continued to be made to the home including a landscaping project that was led by Cedar Springs Landscaping. Our Peer Support Program continued to grow, supporting survivors located across Canada.
2022
In spring 2022, Nancy’s House was opened! With thanks to a grant from the Halton Region Community Investment Fund, we were able to hire a Program Manager to oversee the residential program and provide case management support for residents.
Our Peer Support Program continues to grow and thrive, providing both virtual support to survivors across Canada and in-person support to survivors in Halton and Hamilton.
