Mission
Eden House is a movement to eradicate the trafficking and selling of human beings. We create systemic change through: youth prevention; education and legislative advocacy, and recovery and reentry services for victims, including long-term shelter.
History
Founded in 2011, Eden House is the first recovery home for adult victims of human trafficking and commercial exploitation in the Greater New Orleans area. Eden House is patterned after Magdalene House/Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tennessee, which has a long history of providing successful recovery services for trafficking survivors. Eden House addresses our community’s epidemic of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation for all races and ages.
Our confidentially located residence was secured in May of 2012 and renovated by volunteers that summer. Eden House started with a paid full-time and part-time staff of three, as well as an Executive Director who donated her considerable time and effort. Today, Eden House has grown to include one full-time Executive Director, four clinicians, a Resident Night Manager, a Program Coordinator, a Program Administrator, a Young Adult Volunteer administrative assistant, as well as undergraduate and clinical interns.
In April 2015, we were happy to celebrate the accomplishments of our first graduate as she moved into a brighter future of independence and empowerment. She stays in touch with Eden house and has given multiple presentations to the community sharing her life story and the impact of Eden House on her life.
In September 2016, Eden House launched its prevention education program, R.E.A.L. Choices, using the curriculum developed by My Life My Choice. This curriculum is geared towards at-risk youth, to help them identify and avoid exploitation in their own lives, led by both a survivor leader and clinical staff member.
In October 2017, Eden House also launched a social enterprise, Especially Eden, to provide residents with job training and employment. Over 10 residents have been employed by our social enterprise since it opened. Especially Eden goods are available in 4 storefronts and offer 9 unique survivor made products.
In the Summer of 2021, we acquired a second residence to double our residential capacity.
At this point, Eden House does not receive any direct federal or state funding for our services. Funding is provided by individuals, privately held foundations, and companies who either pledge donations or volunteer their services.
