providing hope and help
Did you know?
- Ascent 121 is a non-profit organization committed to helping survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.
- Their mission is to empower young people and their families through long-term recovery services to position them for their next chapter in life.
- Built on a foundation of faith, Ascent 121 provides a continuum of care for survivors of human trafficking.
- Human trafficking occurs in every county in Indiana, in every state in the U.S., and in every country of the world. Approximately 1 in 4 of these victims is a minor (under 18 years of age).
- In 2024, 154 cases of human trafficking were identified in Indiana, involving 561 victims. Trafficking was categorized into three types: sex, labor, and a combination of both.
- Recruitment can and does occur everywhere—in school, at home, malls, sporting events, and parties; and in shelters and detention facilities—and is conducted both in person and online, where traffickers lure young people with the offer of friendship, romance, or jobs.
- Indianapolis is a major hub for trafficking due to the number of large sporting events & conventions taking place and the number of major interstates that are easily accessible from the city.
Ascent 121 provides trauma-informed therapeutic services to teen survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. From writing “words of encouragement” cards or advocating on social media, to providing a birthday box or activity kits, there are various ways get involved. Visit https://ascent121.org/volunteer/ to explore the many ways that you can support the teen survivors served by Ascent 121.
Ascent 121 prayer journey
The Ascent 121 Prayer Journey is an opportunity for you to drive through the near east side of Indianapolis and pray for areas affected by trafficking and exploitation. Through this experience you will learn more about the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system, different ways that teens are drawn into trafficking and recovery services that are available to survivors. Guided prayer stops allow you to pray for survivors, teens at risk, educators, social service providers, juvenile justice staff, law enforcement, ministries and organizations.
Your journey begins in the parking lot at the Indiana Department of Child Services and concludes at the Ascent 121 offices with a debrief for your group to process their experience. The Prayer Journey is intended for small and large groups. A parent must accompany participants under 18.
The experience begins with an online orientation sent to you prior to the event. At the selected date, you meet to receive needed materials for the self-guided drive to multiple locations around the city. Spend as long as you’d like praying for each one. The length of the event depends on how long you spend at each location, but averages between 2 and 2-1/2 hours total.
Your journey begins in the parking lot at the Indiana Department of Child Services and concludes at the Ascent 121 offices with a debrief for your group to process their experience. The Prayer Journey is intended for small and large groups. A parent must accompany participants under 18.
The experience begins with an online orientation sent to you prior to the event. At the selected date, you meet to receive needed materials for the self-guided drive to multiple locations around the city. Spend as long as you’d like praying for each one. The length of the event depends on how long you spend at each location, but averages between 2 and 2-1/2 hours total.
