We operate a daytime drop-in center for adult survivors of human trafficking or sexual exploitation. This center is the only one of its kind in all of Houston.
To make our center easily accessible, we are located on Bissonnet, which is a nationally known hotspot for trafficking and prostitution.
Our drop-in center is a safe place where survivors can come to make friends, meet with a counselor, eat, and rest. We encourage and empower survivors to become independent by meeting basic needs and increasing awareness of the resources available to survivors.
The Landing’s Drop-In Center has served over 1,500 survivors since opening in 2016. Here are two of their real stories (names have been changed for privacy):
A Mother’s Light: Shining Through Determination – Nia, 34
“You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14–16
Every day in Houston, one of the largest trafficking hubs in the US, survivors are caught in a life they did not choose. Imagine being a single mom, living out of your car with four children, unseen and unheard. Nia* never expected this to be her reality, but, after a series of setbacks, survival became her only priority. Each day was a balancing act: finding food, keeping her kids safe, and trying to hold onto hope in a world that often felt indifferent.
Nia first heard about The Landing through a community partner. After years of facing judgment and broken promises, she wasn’t sure what to expect. But this time it felt different. The Landing met her with compassion, not pressure—with light, not shame. It was an open invitation to walk alongside her, whenever she was ready. And in that moment, a small light began to shine.
She began meeting with a case manager who listened without interruption and without assumptions. Through trauma-informed care and consistent support, she started to feel seen—not just as a mother in crisis, but as a whole person with dreams, resilience, and strength.
With help from The Landing and their housing partnerships, Nia secured permanent disability housing. For the first time in years, her children had a safe place to sleep. For a mother who had spent so long in survival mode, that stability wasn’t just physical; it was emotional. It meant no longer having to worry or choose between safety and dignity, between rest and vigilance. It meant being able to watch her children settle into their own safe beds – protected and warm. This stability became the foundation for something more: a chance to dream, to plan, and to build a future for her family.
Nia enrolled in Certified Nurse Aide training and earned her licensure. Now, she’s pursuing her Licensed Vocational Nurse certification, free to determine her future on her own terms. Nia’s journey is far from over, but it’s no longer shaped by uncertainty and instability.
Empowered to Lead, Inspired to Serve – Corinne, 42
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
After facing repeated challenges and unsafe circumstances, Corinne* was ready for something different. She didn’t know exactly what she needed, but she knew she wanted to feel in control of her life again. When she heard about The Landing’s 10-week Empowerment Program, she was hesitant because past programs had felt transactional, not transformational. But something about the way The Landing described it, centered on healing, growth, and choice, made her curious enough to try.
Each week, Corinne showed up. The Empowerment Program sessions covered job readiness, life skills, financial literacy, and emotional healing. But more than that, they offered space: space to breathe, to reflect, and to rebuild. The Landing staff didn’t just teach—they listened. They honored her story and reminded her that she was more than what she had survived: a reflection of God’s image and redeeming love.
After graduating from the Empowerment Program, Corinne secured not one, but two full-time jobs. She also launched her own small business, something she had dreamed about for years but never thought possible. Today, she teaches others, including other clients at The Landing, about financial literacy and credit recovery, using her experience to empower those walking a similar path. Corinne’s journey is a testament to what happens when survivors are equipped with tools, trust, and trauma-informed support.
In this Season to Shine, Nia and Corinne’s stories remind us that when we let God’s light shine through compassion and generosity, it illuminates the path for others—helping them find hope, purpose, and a way forward.
Learn more about the kinds of support and resources our Drop-In Center offers here. If you’re interested in serving survivors just like Nia and Corinne, learn more about becoming a volunteer here.
In 2026, we anticipate serving more than 700 survivors. But our programs wouldn’t be successful without your support. Will you help us shine God’s light and illuminate a path of hope and healing for human trafficking survivors here in Houston? As The Landing celebrates 10 years of service, please donate before December 31st to help us reach our $300,000 year-end goal so we can start our next decade of impact stronger than ever.
