The Mary Magdalene Project, Inc, (MMP) started in June 1980, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing the programs and resources to assist prostituted women and their families permanently out of prostitution.
     MMP operates three programs from a residential site and an administrative office site. The Primary Care residence, named Hayman House in honor of long-time program director Reverend Ann L. Hayman, is located in Reseda, CA. Hayman House houses a mix of up to six women or women and children and includes a safe and secure environment in a family setting: food, clothing and all household needs; medical care, including dental and vision; intensive individual psychotherapy; group counseling; parenting and self-parenting classes; education; career counseling and job training; and development of social skills are provided. Residents progress through the program at their own pace, completing the program in anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on their individual needs.
     Following completion of the primary care program, the women are eligible to participate in two other programs from MMP. There are additional support services for 18-24 months in either the Family Reunification Program or the Transitional Living Program.
     Most women street prostitutes are mothers and the daughters of prostitutes and are at elevated risk for repeating the lifestyle, so MMP assists its clients in reconstructing her family when appropriate.
     The Transitional Living Program allows for 18 months of support for both MMP graduates of Hayman House and other women with prostitution histories successfully completing drug rehab programming.
     Both programs provide case management in addition to any or all of the following: housing subsidies, transportation assistance, family and individual therapy, education support, job training and child tutoring.
     Many of the women come directly to the Project from jail. Statistics show us that every woman served has been a victim of child abuse and neglect, and 86% were victims of childhood sexual molestation. In recent years, a very high percentage of the women have a combination of serious mental illness, drug and alcohol addictions, and severe childhood trauma. Women street prostitutes are among the most poorly understood trauma victims in all of the real of social services.
     Prostitute women require tremendous resources to establish a new life. The Mary Magdalene Project believes that all women are entitled to unconditional respect for their intrinsic dignity and value. Given time, energy, skills and love, these women will be transformed.

Article by Bea Volper

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My legal name is Sung Woong Yoo, but I go by Joseph. I graduated from the University of Hawaii with a bachelors degree in psychology and graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary. I was married in June of 2006. I was commissioned at Annual Conference on June 21, 2008.

I enjoy listening to and playing music (I play a little guitar). And love...