A recent Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) grant will greatly support one nonprofit’s long-term residential program for survivors of human trafficking.
Rebirth Homes recently received a grant via the Seraphim Fund, which aids women and children, to assist with its Victim to Survivor Program. Debbie Martis, CEO and Founder of Rebirth Homes, said the program is very comprehensive.
“We just acquired a large home in Corona, and we’re slowly building out capacity for that,” Martis noted. “The grant funding will make a huge difference in supporting the healing and employment of these survivors of trafficking.”
Martis founded the nonprofit in 2012 in an effort to spread awareness of the issue of human trafficking in the community. “It’s really been a faith journey for me,” she said of the work.
Martis began hearing about human trafficking in 2008 when she was working in an entirely different field in the for-profit sector. Something shifted when she attended a conference that year—she learned that 27 million people were being trafficked around the globe.
“I just felt like my bubble that I’ve been living in had been burst,” she said. “I felt like I needed to support those doing the work.”
After a series of serendipitous events and collaboration, a vision for the nonprofit was birthed in 2012.
“When we opened our first home, it really was about education and involving the community, because it’s a large community,” Martis said. “And it’s the community that keeps rebirth homes fueled. That’s where the impact is.”
Rebirth Homes offers many services, including comprehensive wrap-around services that address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual “healing.” These life-skills trainings can be lifesavers.
Martis said the residential program has four phases and can be completed in two years.
Women who enter the program will set individual goals. Rebirth Homes accompanies women through their new journey, helping them through their significant life transitions.
A support community and an extensive list of comprehensive services filters into the mix.
“One of the big things we offer through our long-term residential program is employing program participants,” Martis said. “It’s really important to know that within the Inland Empire, Rebirth Homes is the only nonprofit doing what we’re doing with a long-term comprehensive program with employment to human trafficking survivors.
The program offers employment in the nonprofit’s Freedom Shop, in fact, where survivor-made products are made and sold.
Martis was quick to add: “We always need volunteers, and people walking with us on the journey. The work is so important and so needed.”
She encourages individuals to peruse the nonprofit’s website to learn more.
Save the date: the organization’s 2025 Fall Gala takes place Friday, Oct. 17 at The Grove Community Church.
Learn more about Rebirth Homes at rebirthhomes.com.
This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, August 2025.
Stay up to date on all the good work we’re doing through the power of philanthropy. Sign up for our eNewsletter, Philanthropy Matters, today.
