StATUSA HISTORY
Rev. Allysa McKenzie began her ministry journey in 2008 as a student in the Wesleyan Church, with a strong passion for counseling and helping others. While attending a conference focused on training service providers for developing countries, she became aware of the global reality of human trafficking. This awareness deepened in 2009 when she attended a conference sponsored by the FBI and Homeland Security, where she learned about the prevalence of human trafficking within the United States and the complex factors that contribute to it.
Through her role as a speaker within the Wesleyan district, Rev. McKenzie began raising awareness by offering StATUSA’s Haven Church Training to churches and conferences. This outreach led to the donation of a building in Haywood County, where, with the support of local churches and dedicated community members, an anti-trafficking headquarters was established.
During early planning discussions, the idea to connect with incarcerated women was introduced and approved by the local sheriff. This initiative revealed the deeper, generational challenges tied to sex trafficking and led to the development of the Human Advocate Jail Program (HAJP). Community leaders came together to build resources and support systems for these women.
Recognizing similar challenges in her home community of Brunswick County, an area uniquely positioned between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington and impacted by poverty, substance use, and trafficking activity, Rev. McKenzie felt called to return. After StATUSA received its 501(c)(3) designation in April 2015, efforts expanded. With a referral from the Haywood County Sheriff, the HAJP was approved in Brunswick County and later implemented in both Brunswick and New Hanover Counties in 2017.
That same year, StATUSA launched the Open Palm 12-Month Residential Program in partnership with Palms Health & Wellness. This program provided a holistic path to healing for women who had experienced trafficking, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Services included judicial advocacy, life skills training, mentorship, workforce readiness, medical care, counseling, and addiction recovery support. The program served nine women before closing due to the shutdown of Palms Health & Wellness.
In response to ongoing needs identified through the jail program, StATUSA piloted a Women’s Resource Center in Shallotte, NC in 2018. This center expanded support to women and families in crisis across Southeast North Carolina and South Carolina. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of jail programs and the Resource Center, there was a noticeable increase in referrals involving pregnant women experiencing trafficking. This highlighted a critical gap in services.
In response, StATUSA re-envisioned its approach. In March 2024, the organization relaunched its Resource Center as the Women’s Life Center, expanding services to include pregnancy support and education alongside its anti-trafficking work.
Today, the Women’s Life Center serves as a bridge for women and families facing difficult pregnancy decisions and for individuals impacted by human trafficking. Services include pregnancy testing, options coaching, parenting and life skills education, mentorship, client advocacy, case management, therapeutic counseling, addiction recovery support, community referrals, and material assistance.
The mission of the Women’s Life Center is to break cycles of hardship and create lasting, positive change in the lives of women and families through compassionate, comprehensive care.
