MADISON, Wis. — Brianna Saxer’s journey is marked by a haunting photograph of her wearing a pink tank top from 2005. For her, it’s more than just a picture; it’s a stark reminder of a difficult time in her life.
“It was very, very hard,” Saxer recalls.
Breaking out of an abusive and borderline exploitative relationship as a late adolescent, Saxer said she found solace in a support group where she encountered women facing even crueler backstories.
“I did not realize at the age of 21 that that was something that people in my community were experiencing,” Saxer said. “I did not know that that was something that I even should be on the lookout for. Like it just never even crossed my mind.”
Today, she serves as a project coordinator for Zeteo Community, a nonprofit working to help women who have been sexually exploited. Saxer said she keeps up with the nonprofit’s heavy human trafficking cases through a steady stream of coffee and lots of hard work.
“To explain how necessary a program like this is for individuals coming out of exploitation, I can’t possibly verbalize it enough. It is really, really important. It is not just something that would be nice,” she said.
Construction is set to begin soon on an undisclosed Dane County site that will support human trafficking victims.
“It’s unique, it’s comprehensive, it’s beautiful,” said Marlene Sorenson, Zeteo Community founder. “It excites me. The thought that we’re this close.”
Sorenson and her husband recently met with the project manager and owner of Grace Built, Travis Dettinger, on the grounds of the Dane County construction site. Dettinger said it was an honor to donate his time and resources.
“On my last breaths, I think this is going to be one of those projects, one of those endeavors like, ‘That was good,’” said Dettinger, who is one of many volunteers donating their skills for the project.
This holistic and trauma-informed therapeutic human trafficking home will accommodate 22 individuals, providing care not only for women but also space for their children.
“So we see it as a generational thing that really needs to be broken,” said Sorensen.
She said many times the women refuse help unless they can bring their children and keep them out of foster care.
After eight years of serving many human trafficking survivors throughout Wisconsin, Zeteo Community volunteers are sending out 500 invitations for its May 3 Gala at Monona Terrace. The goal is to raise $12 million to break ground this August and begin hiring staff.
“So to have it all in one space, that community, the comfort, the safety, the trauma-informed care, the individualized programming, it’s really hard to find that comprehensively anywhere,” said Saxer.
Zeteo’s leaders said they believe there is hope for those affected by human trafficking.
“I want to help them dream something bigger for their lives,” said Sorenson.
All of this will be happening in the heart of Zeteo’s new healing home in Madison.
If you’re interested in helping make the project a reality, you can learn more at the Gala on May 3 and contribute here.