SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Working to help the victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Call to Freedom will continue its mission at a new location in Sioux Falls.
“For us, to serve those that walk through the door is an honor,” Becky Rasmussen, president and CEO of Call to Freedom, said. “To be able to offer a new home that is specifically designed for those that we serve, to better provide services and better outcomes, we’re very excited about that.”
Call to Freedom will now be located at 4501 S. Technology Dr. in Sioux Falls, which was a former Fiserv building, Rasmussen said. The expected opening date is around April 28.
-
Call to Freedom remodels its new space on Technology Drive in Sioux Falls. -
Call to Freedom remodels its new space on Technology Drive in Sioux Falls. -
Call to Freedom remodels its new space on Technology Drive in Sioux Falls. -
Call to Freedom remodels its new space on Technology Drive in Sioux Falls. -
Call to Freedom remodels its new space on Technology Drive in Sioux Falls.
Currently, there’s two separate offices for Call to Freedom: one on 8th St. and the other on 12th St. and Western Ave. In 2023, staff were notified that the sublease for the 12th and Western location would end- after a sale of the entire building- prompting Call to Freedom to find a new building.
“We have completely outgrown both of our locations, and the need to have it within one under one umbrella, it became more and more apparent over those two years of searching,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said the new location will merge the two offices together, creating one hub for Call to Freedom. The new space is 13,744 square feet.
“We always have a vision, but space really limits us from being able to expand those services in the way that we know needs to happen- and now with this new space, that’s not an issue,” Rasmussen said.
With this extra space, Rasmussen said Call to Freedom will be able to feature:
- Expansion of continuum care model: occupational therapy, sensory and therapy rooms, holistic healing.
- Emergency needs on-site: washer and dryer, showers, food and clothing donations.
- Boutique on-site: clients can pick donated clothing.
- Training and volunteer opportunities on-site.
“We’re able to have them come to location where they can really just focus on themselves and they can focus on their next steps in a healthy environment,” Rasmussen said.
According to Rasmussen, the opening for the new location took time, because Call to Freedom remodeled the space and needed time for their clients to get comfortable with the change. Rasmussen hopes for staff to start moving into the new space on April 21, before opening around April 28.
Rasmussen said the Bush Prize helped Call to Freedom relocate, as well as expand the services within the continuum care model. Call to Freedom received this grant in October, 2024.
“The timing of [the Bush Prize] was absolutely amazing and we’re very grateful and excited to share what this is going to look like moving forward,” Rasmussen said.
Based in Sioux Falls, Call to Freedom is a faith-based non-profit organization with a mission to help victims of sex and labor trafficking and commercial sex exploitation, according to its website.
Since the organization’s founding in 2016, about 1,500 individuals have walked through the doors of Call to Freedom, Rasmussen said, and about 5.8 new referrals come in weekly.
