Framingham’s RIA House Awarded Federal Grant to Support Survivors of Human Trafficking

Grant will bolster direct services, expand outreach, and develop community partnerships 

October 4, 2019- Washington, D.C. – Today, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Katherine Clark (MA-5) announced that the Framingham-based community organization Ready.Inspire.Act. (RIA) House has received a $330,027 grant from the Department of Justice to continue its mission of supporting women and all survivors of human trafficking by providing a range of community-based services.  

“RIA House’s service model is grounded in a trauma-informed approach; they understand the experience of survivors and meet them where they are," said Congresswoman Clark. "With this infusion of resources, RIA House will be able to expand its existing services and reach more people in need of support. I’m so grateful for the work they do and that we can support them in this way.”

“RIA House is committed to standing with and supporting women as they recover and heal from sexual exploitation, trafficking and prostitution,” said RIA House Founder and Executive Director, Heather Wightman. “We provide vital clinical and peer mentorship services, as well as groups and advocacy. We accompany women in the journey of their lives. With this DOJ grant, we will expand our peer mentorship services across the state.”

Additional, the grant will help the organization provide a range of services including therapy, peer support, care coordination, and more to survivors in the area while increasing awareness in the community to better identify and respond to survivors.

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