Dayton's Oasis House Helps Trafficking Survivors for 20 Years

What started with a few church ladies offering friendship in unexpected places has grown into one of Ohio's leading organizations helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives.

Twenty years ago, Rev. Sharon Amos and volunteers from Higher Ground United Methodist Church noticed something troubling along North Dixie Drive in Harrison Township. Women working in exotic dance clubs weren't there by choice. They were being coerced, manipulated, drugged, and forced into exploitation.

The volunteers made a bold decision. They walked into those clubs not to judge, but to offer kindness and support.

"At first, many of the women felt they weren't worthy of friendship from church ladies," said Dona Pierce, current Executive Director of Oasis House. Building trust took time, but those early relationships changed everything.

As needs grew, the small volunteer effort transformed into Oasis House, a nonprofit that became one of the first organizations in the region to educate the community about human trafficking. Pierce says the work was crucial for shifting public understanding.

"This was not about women making bad choices," she explained. "More often than not, they were coerced, manipulated, drugged, or physically forced. In the early days, the woman was frequently blamed, while the exploiter's behavior was overlooked."

Today, Oasis House provides safe housing and restoration programs for survivors while continuing education and advocacy efforts. The organization recently partnered with the University of Dayton to host the Southwest Ohio Human Trafficking Conference, bringing together survivors, service providers, community leaders, and national experts.

Volunteers remain at the heart of the mission. They facilitate classes, mentor women in the safe house, maintain the home, and support fundraising events.

The Ripple Effect

Oasis House didn't just help individual women escape exploitation. It changed how an entire region understands and responds to human trafficking. By leading with compassion instead of judgment, those first volunteers created a model that inspired other organizations and law enforcement to see victims as people who deserve dignity and support, not blame.

The conference with University of Dayton and partnerships with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office show how far that ripple has spread. What began with a handful of church members offering friendship has become a regional coalition working together to end exploitation and help survivors heal.

The organization continues accepting donations of essential items like toiletries, cleaning supplies, and gift cards. Those interested in volunteering can reach Oasis House at 937-898-7811 or visit their website.

Two decades later, the mission remains unchanged: walk alongside survivors with the same compassion those first volunteers showed.