The Sanctuary @DWA
A Place of Refuge, Hope, and Restoration
The Sanctuary @ DWA provides confidential temporary housing and compassionate, Christ-centered support primarily for African immigrant women and their children experiencing crisis or major life transition. We may also support other immigrant, refugee, and diaspora women based on individual circumstances and available capacity.
A Safe Place in a Difficult Season
For African immigrant women, a crisis can be made more difficult by unfamiliar systems, limited support networks, cultural barriers, financial hardship, or uncertainty about where to turn.
The Sanctuary offers a confidential, supportive environment where women can pause, identify their immediate needs, access appropriate resources, and begin taking practical steps toward safety, stability, and renewed hope.
While African immigrant women and their children remain our primary focus, we may also support other immigrant, refugee, and diaspora women based on individual circumstances and available capacity.
The Sanctuary’s location is confidential, and access is arranged through DWA’s intake process.
Who the Sanctuary Serves
The Sanctuary was created primarily for African immigrant women—with or without children—who are experiencing crisis, displacement, or a major life transition.
Women may seek support because of:
→ Domestic violence, exploitation, or abuse
→ Human trafficking
→ Housing instability or financial hardship
→ Social isolation or limited community support
→ Immigration-related challenges
→ Cultural and systemic barriers
→ A significant personal or family transition
While African immigrant women remain our primary focus, we may also support other immigrant, refugee, and diaspora women when their needs align with our mission and capacity.
Support is considered individually and depends on each woman’s circumstances, program suitability, available space, and resources.
How We Support Women
Each woman’s circumstances are different. Depending on her needs and the resources available, support through The Sanctuary may include:
→ Confidential temporary housing
→ Individualized needs assessment and support planning
→ Practical assistance during crisis or transition
→ Help identifying and navigating community resources
→ Referrals to qualified legal, immigration, healthcare, counseling, and social-service providers
→ Spiritual and emotional encouragement
→ Support toward greater safety, stability, and independence
DWA does not replace licensed attorneys, counselors, healthcare professionals, or emergency-service providers. We help women understand available options and connect with appropriate professional and community resources.
Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness
Immigrant and displaced women may face increased vulnerability to labor trafficking, sexual exploitation, coercion, and other forms of abuse because of isolation, financial hardship, unfamiliarity with local systems, language barriers, or dependence on others.
DWA supports prevention by helping faith communities and community partners recognize potential warning signs, respond without judgment, strengthen protective support networks, and connect individuals with qualified resources.
Through education, collaboration, and culturally responsive outreach, we seek to create communities where exploitation is recognized earlier, survivors are treated with dignity, and vulnerable women know where they can safely seek help.
DWA does not investigate trafficking cases or provide emergency rescue services. When trafficking is suspected, we help connect individuals with appropriate professional and emergency resources.
How to Access Our Services
If you or someone you know may need support from The Sanctuary, please contact DWA to begin a confidential intake conversation. We will discuss the situation, explain the intake process, and determine whether The Sanctuary may be an appropriate resource based on individual needs, program suitability, and available capacity.
For your safety and privacy, please do not include detailed personal, legal, immigration, or medical information in your initial message. The Sanctuary’s location is confidential, and access is arranged directly through DWA.
The Sanctuary is not an emergency shelter or emergency-response service. If you are in immediate danger, please contact the emergency services available in your location.
Living the Mandate
The Sanctuary is one way Diaspora Women Arise puts its faith into action.
Through this work, DWA practices the same principles we help other faith communities embrace: welcoming the stranger, responding to vulnerability with wisdom and compassion, and transforming good intentions into practical, sustainable care.
What we learn through The Sanctuary also strengthens our training, partnerships, and capacity-building work with faith-based entities.
Help Create a Place of Refuge
The Sanctuary is sustained through the prayers, generosity, and service of individuals, congregations, community partners, and organizations that share our commitment to welcoming and supporting immigrant women and their children.
Your support helps DWA provide confidential temporary housing, practical assistance, essential resources, and pathways toward greater safety and stability.
You can support The Sanctuary by:
→ Praying for the women and children we serve
→ Making a financial contribution
→ Donating essential goods or resources
→ Volunteering your time or professional expertise
→ Partnering with DWA as a congregation or organization
Please confirm that the recipient displays as Diaspora Women Arise before completing your contribution.