Bridging Freedom, a new sanctuary in Tampa Bay, Fla., for survivors of child sex trafficking, announced it has received a major gift of $350,000 from the Lazydays Employee Foundation. The money will be put toward the construction of a four bedroom “gateway home,” which will be named Lazydays House. Lazydays is the second home sponsor for the complex, and Lazydays House will serve as the intake home for girls rescued from sex trafficking.
“This exceptionally generous gift pays for one of the most important components of Bridging Freedom’s therapeutic campus,” said Board Chairman and Pasco County Sheriff Corporal Alan Wilkett. “The gateway home will be the first step in a long transitioning process that will help restore the stolen childhoods to these young survivors.”
Speaking on behalf of the employees of Lazydays RV, headquartered near Tampa, Joe Myers, the foundation’s president, said the gift reflects the employees’ wish to help the neediest of children in our community, for whom they have raised more than $1 million.
“This is a contribution from Lazydays’ employees and our supporters to one of the most vulnerable parts of our community,” said Myers. “We are thrilled to be able to do something that will change lives for the better.”
Construction of infrastructure at the campus site began in 2016, and construction of the foundation for an eight-bedroom residential home funded by Sykes Enterprises began earlier this month.
Construction of the Lazydays House is expected to begin in December. Five more homes are planned for the campus, and Bridging Freedom is seeking sponsors for those buildings.
Bridging Freedom’s mission is to combat sex-trafficking of minors by bringing restoration to those rescued and to help prevent new victims by helping to increase awareness and understanding of these horrendous crimes. A therapeutic safe home campus is vital to provide long-term, comprehensive care to these victims in a secure environment.