Allow us to tell you about our story
The vision for Created Tampa was birthed in Manila, Philippines as we served in a ministry called Samaritana. Our 9-month experience in Manila inspired us to start Created. We realized (at the time) that our city had no Christian organization or ministry dedicated to reaching exploited women and we had a heavy burden to initiate and contextualize what we learned and experienced first hands in the Philippines.
We discovered the extent of sexual exploitation evident in our city, Tampa, FL. Our current approach is to befriend women, invite them into trusting relationships, and empower them to leave prostitution or the dangerous lifestyle in which they live.
By providing personal relationship, regular places for the women to gather and interact with God's word, we hope to see God break the power of oppression, isolation, and helplessness that currently grip many of their lives. We also know that part of seeing women become free from exploitation will only come as we walk alongside them, advocate for them, and empower them to speak up for themselves.
As women are empowered through relationship with Jesus and grow to understand their true identity as image bearers of God, we fully believe it will be the starting point for them to begin to use their gifts and skills in healthier, non-exploitive environments.
A GLIMPSE AT OUR MINISTRY
Emergency Response
We see the need of women in our community who have been trafficked and exploited. Our goal is to create as many avenues as possible and offer an open door for them to receive services and support. We do this through our outreach programs (described below), running a drop-in center, maintaining a helpline that can be called, and offering a safe bed when they are ready to join our program.
Advocacy
We believe God affords every woman the right to speak and be heard. Therefore, we both advocate for and empower women to express themselves. We do this through advocacy, offering life skills and by partnering with other organizations to be a catalyst for change in the lives of sexually and relationally broken women, and to affect the systems that keep them bound to sexual exploitation.
Community
Authentic relationships provide the context for nurturing spiritual growth. We hope to provide safe places of meaningful community for vulnerable women where they can journey together toward healing, wholeness, and new life in Jesus.
Residential Program
We provide a two-year long, free (donor based) safe housing for women who have been sex trafficked or have had any involvement with the sex industry. We provide community, accountability, NA meetings, Christian therapy, Bible study, life skills, mentors, and much more.
Jobs
We provide avenues for job training and placement through “Created Academy” and our social enterprises. These enterprises include Created Boutique and Created Cuisine. Come shop for a cause at our thrift store at 3102 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL. Our store hours may vary, so please call ahead at 813-769-9678