Human Trafficking

Rev. Glenda Hope, Sister Rosina Conrotto

Prompted by a wave of violence against prostituted women in San Francisco in the 1990s, SafeHouse was founded in 1998 by Rev. Glenda Hope, a Presbyterian minister, and Sister Rosina Conrotto, PBVM. The goal of SafeHouse is to provide a nurturing and empowering community for unhoused women escaping from sexual exploitation, prostitution, and sex trafficking.
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Since its founding, SafeHouse has served over 400 women and successfully created a healing space that addresses gender-specific responses to chronic homelessness for this overlooked and underserved population. SafeHouse offers supportive transitional housing and a full array of support services that enable residents to reclaim choice and power over their lives and move toward the goal of living a happy, healthy, and independent life.

In 2019, SafeHouse opened the Hope Center drop-in center for women wait-listed for transitional housing, providing support services for those still at great risk. The women who have been and those who continue to be part of SafeHouse are a testament to the possibility of overcoming obstacles and making major changes in their lives.

Sister Rosina continues to serve on the Board of Directors. Other Sisters volunteer as greeters, making new arrivals feel welcome, and facilitating art projects.