YOU’RE INVITED
EVENTS
Pickleball Tournament to Benefit North Star
Every serve creates hope for trafficking survivors!
Join us at Calvary Church for a full-day pickleball tournament, with all proceeds benefiting North Star Initiative!
Registration is open through October 25.
The registration fee is $35 and includes one event on October 31. An additional (mixed doubles) event is $10 on November 1. Pick your own partner for this Round Robin Tournament. The tournament will take place on a sports floor in an indoor gym with Franklin X40 balls. Age brackets will be determined after registration closes.
Morning round: Skill level 3.0 – 3.5
Followed by: 3.6 – 4.0 and 4.0+
Age brackets: Over 50 & under 50
Thank you to our sponsors: Tomato Pie Cafe, Cake & Cup Bake Shop + Coffee and EG Stoltzfus.
2026 Light The Way Gala
"What is hope if not the decision to shine light into the dark?"
Be part of a community gathering to end trafficking on October 1, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the beautiful Star Barn in Elizabethtown, PA.
North Star Initiative’s annual Light the Way Gala draws together a community that is passionate about empowering survivors to celebrate survivors' hope and resilience. This year’s theme--IGNITE HOPE--challenges us to fan embers into beacons of hope until light overcomes the dark.
Attendees will enjoy a gourmet dining experience of heavy appetizers (equivalent to a full meal) catered by Two P's in a Pot, celebrate stories of transformation, and participate in both live and silent auctions to fund North Star’s life-changing programs for survivors of trafficking. Survivor leader Tanya Gould will take the stage as our keynote speaker, and Jeff Coleman, host of the Morning Light television program, will emcee the evening.
Together, we can end trafficking and empower survivors to reclaim their lives. It will be an unforgettable evening, and we would be honored for you to stand with survivors at this event.
Ice Cream Fundraiser
🍦 Treat yourself. Change a life. 💙
On August 1, every scoop makes a difference.
When you stop by 32° Below Ice Cream Shop in Downtown Lititz, a percentage of the day's proceeds will support North Star Initiative, helping provide safe housing, trauma-informed care, and long-term restoration for local survivors of domestic sex trafficking. North Star Initiative works to end trafficking and empower survivors through holistic healing, with the vision of creating communities where vulnerable people are loved, equipped, connected, and healed.
Bring your family, invite a friend, and enjoy your favorite ice cream—knowing your purchase creates hope and healing in our community.
📅 August 1
📍 32° Below Ice Cream Shop (110 E Main St, Lititz, PA)
Red Sand Project - Lancaster
❤️ Join the movement. Help fill the cracks.
Every crack in a sidewalk represents a person who has fallen through the cracks of society.
Observed in communities nationwide, the Red Sand Project is a powerful public art and awareness event that shines a light on the issue of human trafficking and exploitation.
This week, North Star Initiative will be part of two Red Sand Project events locally. Together, we’ll pour red sand into the cracks of the sidewalks as a visual reminder of those who are too often overlooked and exploited. This simple yet impactful act invites our community to pause, reflect and commit to creating a future where every person is seen, valued and protected.
📍 Lancaster County
📅 Friday, July 31, 2026
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🏢 Penn Square (Heritage Block), Lancaster, PA
❤️In partnership with the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office's Human Trafficking Task Force, YWCA Lancaster & ZOE International East Coast
Whether you’re passionate about prevention, advocacy or simply want to learn more, your presence matters. Let’s stand together to raise awareness, inspire action and bring hope to those at risk of human trafficking.
Her Story Continued… A Survivor-led Panel
✨ Save the Date! ✨
We are thrilled to announce our next meaningful event: Her Story Continued, a survivor-led panel. 🌟
Join us for a powerful afternoon of conversation and community, holding space for these voices.
🗓️ Thursday, April 30th
🕑 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 LEFC - Lancaster Evangelical Free Church (419 Pierson Rd Lititz, PA 17543)
Our survivor‑led panel in January (Welcome to the Battle 2026) sparked powerful conversations and attendees asked for more! Join us for the next chapter as survivor leaders share insights on healing, leadership, and community‑driven solutions.
Panelists:
Alina Donuhue
Shamere McKenzie
Tanya Gould
Registration is FREE. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Light refreshments provided.
The 2025 Christmas Show: Deck the Halls
American Music Theatre joins ZOE International + North Star Initiative to stand against human trafficking + support survivors. 50% of the proceeds from the show on will be donated to the mentioned nonprofit organizations.
Check in at the decked-out St. Nicholas Hotel where we find our dashing dancers and merry musicians ready to “Deck the Halls!” Bubby Bubbly bellhops and glittery guests make merriment in preparation for a visit from Old Saint Nick. This musical holiday adventure brings together friends old and new to celebrate the season with awe-inspiring performances designed to capture the hearts of the entire family.
Adult: $59
AMT Members: $49
Children: $30
Senior (65+): $57
Military, Active Duty & Veteran: $57
Groups (15 or more persons): Call our Box Office at 800.648.4102 for group pricing
ExtraGive 2025
North Star Initiative will be participating in ExtraGive 2025 this year on November 21, 2025.
To donate, visit North Star Initiative | ExtraGive.
Advocating for the restoration of women from sex trafficking—FOR FREEDOM. FOR LIFE. FOREVER.
North Star Initiative (NSI) is Lancaster County's first restoration home and program for adult female sex trafficking survivors.
Since 2017, North Star has provided strengths-based, trauma-informed care in its long-term program where residents access resources and support to meet their individual needs and goals. Our team provides a 24/7 presence to our residents, along with on-site classes, therapy groups, and life skills development. Since 2024, North Star has operated this program in both Lancaster County (Harbor Home) and Berks County (Refuge Home).
A big part of what we do at North Star Initiative is bring awareness and education to the local community. We recognize that Lancaster County residents are still unaware of the extent of trafficking in our area. For this reason, NSI provides speakers and hosts community events to help educate the public in multiple sectors. We also maintain partnerships with local, state, and national agencies and law enforcement to stay informed about trafficking activity and recruitment methods.
We are committed to providing a safe, respectful environment that welcomes survivors just as they are to pursue the goals that are meaningful to each one of them. We provide trauma-informed care that recognizes, understands, and empathizes with the impact of their individual trauma. By choosing to support NSI, you give our residents access to tools and resources that empower them to thrive and flourish. Thank you for helping survivors experience hope, healing, and restoration!
Who We Are
Motivated by the love of Jesus, we work to end trafficking and empower survivors to reclaim the lives they were created to enjoy through healing their whole person.
We envision a community that is trafficking proof because the vulnerable are loved, equipped, connected, and healed.
Mission
Motivated by the love of Jesus, we work to end trafficking and empower survivors to reclaim the lives they were created to enjoy through healing their whole person.
Light the Way - Berks
This doesn't have to be the end of her story... we have the final word. Join us as we illuminate the path towards healing for survivors of trafficking!
Come enjoy appetizers and desserts, as well as a program and update from North Star Initiative.
Get your tickets by October 30th: https://onecau.se/nsiberks
North Star Initiative provides one of the few 24x7 restoration homes for domestic sex-trafficking survivors in the entire region and one of the only with a Christ-centered focus. Through our holistic, trauma-informed program, our goal is for every survivor we serve to be fully restored so she can return to the community and enjoy a life of sustained independence.
Faithful Give 2025
North Star Initiative is participating this year in Faithful Give 2025 from Sunday, October 19, to Tuesday, October 21, 2025! The mission of Faithful Give is to personify Jesus’ love to the Lancaster community by connecting biblically faithful donors and organizations so they can joyfully partner together in redemptive causes (https://faithfulgive.org/about/).
To donate, visit https://faithfulgive.org/cause/north-star-initiative/.
Motivated by the love of Jesus, we work to end trafficking and empower survivors to reclaim the lives they were created to enjoy through healing their whole person. We envision a community that is trafficking proof because the vulnerable are loved, equipped, connected, and healed. North Star Initiative filed its Articles of Incorporation in 2010 and became a 501(c)3 in 2012. Started by Jen Sensenig who learned about human trafficking and got involved with the police and helped take down a trafficking ring that spanned 8 states. However, she quickly realized that rescued doesn’t equal free. These women needed a place to go to heal from the trauma they experienced. The Harbor Home – first and only home in Lancaster County to help survivors of trafficking – opened in 2017. In 2024, North Star acquired another home in Berks County that also serves survivors of trafficking.
Here’s how your gift might help:
$25/month can provide Wellness – Nutrition classes & Recreational activities
$50/month can provide Stability – Medical & dental care & Secure housing
$100/month can provide Healing – Trauma therapy & Drug & alcohol classes
$150/month can provide Restoration – Vocational life skills & Legal advocacy
Light the Way Fundraiser dinner - Lancaster
JOIN US for a dinner buffet and program - live auction!
Mingle as you enjoy hors d’oeuvres, mocktails, and the review of this year’s silent auction items!
Light the Way Fundraiser Breakfast - Lancaster
JOIN US for breakfast and coffee!
Enjoy our program and browse our silent auction items!
Made to Flourish: A Floral Workshop for Freedom
Join us for a meaningful, hands-on floral workshop & Charcuterie led by Lancaster Flower Company, hosted at the elegant White Room in Lancaster City and Support the healing and restoration of survivors of sex trafficking through the work of North Star Initiative.
Hope in Motion: Every Step Ends Trafficking
Join us for Hope in Motion, a community awareness walk to confront a difficult truth: human trafficking is happening right here in Berks County. This event is designed to raise awareness, educate the public, and inspire action toward becoming a trafficking-proof community.
Magic & Wonder Theater: IMAGINARIUM
Join the NSI team at Magic and Wonder Theater in Paradise PA! Go as far as imagination can take you in this variety magic show! Experience wonder as illusionist Brett Myers takes audiences to a larger-than-life-circus, the whimsy of Wonka, the glamour of Hollywood, and the curiosities of a Steampunk era. Your eyes will witness the impossible as people appear, disappear, and fly. All ages enjoy the wonder of this new show infused with grand-scale illusions, comedy, and variety arts.
TICKET COST: $10.00
Show Value $50+. Donations are welcome!
Welcome to the Battle 2025
Schedule of Events
5:30p-6:30p: Refreshments and Meeting Partner Agencies. Opportunity to shop with Florissant Collective!
6:30p-8p: Panel Discussion
8p-8:30p: Wrap-Up Conversations with Partners
We are privileged to gather the community to arm you with the truth you need to join the battle to end trafficking. Join us for an event dedicated to empowerment (recognize the myths and know the facts!) and collaboration (meet the organizations working together to end trafficking!).
💙You are part of the solution! Reserve your free ticket and mark your calendar for January 28!
Light up the night-Reading
Join us for an evening with delicious food and an engaging program to learn how you can be part of illuminating the path towards healing for survivors of trafficking.
Light up the night-an evening under the stars (Lancaster)
Join us at the beautiful historic Star Barn for an evening filled with gourmet food, live and silent auctions and more!
More importantly, this is a night out with a purpose. When you attend this event, you are eradicating human trafficking and supporting survivors on their journey to healing.
2024 Annual Pickleball Tournament
We'll see you on the courts!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!⭐
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Rain Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
We'll see you on the courts!
It's that time again! We are so excited to host this year's annual NSI Pickleball Tournament at Penn Manor Middle School! Take a swing against human trafficking in teams of two, match by match, in support of the Harbor Home residents.
Don't miss this year's chance to purchase a Chick-fil-A meal ticket that directly supports survivors!
Stay tuned for further information on this year's prizes, pickle raffle + more!
After purchasing your tickets be sure to check your email to complete your team registration, claim your FREE t-shirts, and complete your bracket placement survey! You will receive your placement results email on June 10th!
See you on the courts!
Welcome to the Battle
At a time when the community has never been more interested in knowing the truth about sex trafficking, this event focuses on education and empowerment, providing real answers in a sea of misinformation.
This year’s panelists:
Detective Kevin Quinter – Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force
Andrea McHenry- Executive Director, F.R.E.E.
Mandy Billman - Director, Sexual Assault Counseling and Prevention Center, YWCA
Celeste Hutchinson – Clinical Program Director, North Star Initiative
Join us as we discuss demographics that are most vulnerable to trafficking and strategies traffickers may employ to recruit victims. Panelists will address barriers that can keep victims in a situation where they are exploited and educate the community on ways to remove those barriers.
This year we are waving the $15 registration fee! This event is free for all who attend. If you would like to support us with a donation you are welcome to do so!
Doors open @ 5:30 pm. We hope to see you there!
