After assisting a facility that helped trafficked children and learning that there were very few facilities of that type available, Kaleb House’s founder, Bear Independent, knew something needed to be done.
Child trafficking had not been on his radar before. His focus was on helping others through his disaster relief & construction ministry, Grindstone Ministries. However, he knew God had placed the calling on his heart to do more for trafficked children. He was to create a building that housed and cared for children who had been victims of this heinous crime.
So the idea came, but what is a place without a name? “Kaleb” comes from the Biblical figure of the same name. “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now, give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Joshua 14:10-12
Kaleb House would have its restorative efforts while aiming at “slaying” modern giants. One man cannot build Kaleb House alone, though.
A team began to form of individuals who were passionate about the cause and had knowledge in the areas needed to further the development of Kaleb House. Our founder raised awareness of the effort to save children via social media, which led others to share, causing a ripple effect of support from people across the country.
Land for the facility was purchased, and construction began because of generous donations from individuals and businesses (as we do not receive government funding). People rallied behind the mission: to provide a Biblical covering for sexually exploited widows and orphans while breaking generational curses.
In 2023, the Kaleb House team faced a significant challenge. Despite our facility not being complete, we were called to assist women and children in need. We didn't hesitate. We knew that if these individuals were brought to us, we would find a way to care for them.
Over the past year, we've provided for dozens of women and children, sought justice for those hurt, and continued our facility's construction. We have also continued our focus on the future. We know the children we have in our care are just the beginning.
While we wish this were not an issue that had to be addressed, we know we can’t stand by and expect it to disappear without action. One of our future goals is to have livestock on the property. While we work with licensed therapists, we also know there is an incredible benefit for trauma victims to interact with animals. Our Property Manager, who has over a decade of experience in Regenerative Agriculture, is preparing our facility to add livestock and gardens. Both aspects the children will get to work with and enjoy once on the property.
We are acutely aware that one Kaleb House facility is not enough. With just over 400 beds available at trafficking restoration facilities across the US, our goal for the future is to continue building Kaleb Houses until all children who have been victims of sex trafficking are restored and able to live beautiful lives.
A calling placed on one man’s heart has grown to individuals, communities, and businesses coming together to care for people they had never met. Kaleb House has grown beyond a man or a team.
Kaleb House is a family. We take children in when they have been broken and abused and work diligently to restore their lives. We work with therapists to help the children talk about what they have been through, jiu-jitsu instructors to help with anger, and lawyers to seek justice for those who hurt them.
Above all, we show them that God loves them, that He saved them, and that there are people out there who want the best for them. We are bold in our faith and commitment to the Father when we interact with the children, in the court system, and with those in the community.
This is not a job any of us have sought out to boost our resume. The Father has called us to this ministry, and we will not stop until this is no longer a problem.
Child trafficking had not been on his radar before. His focus was on helping others through his disaster relief & construction ministry, Grindstone Ministries. However, he knew God had placed the calling on his heart to do more for trafficked children. He was to create a building that housed and cared for children who had been victims of this heinous crime.
So the idea came, but what is a place without a name? “Kaleb” comes from the Biblical figure of the same name. “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now, give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” Joshua 14:10-12
Kaleb House would have its restorative efforts while aiming at “slaying” modern giants. One man cannot build Kaleb House alone, though.
A team began to form of individuals who were passionate about the cause and had knowledge in the areas needed to further the development of Kaleb House. Our founder raised awareness of the effort to save children via social media, which led others to share, causing a ripple effect of support from people across the country.
Land for the facility was purchased, and construction began because of generous donations from individuals and businesses (as we do not receive government funding). People rallied behind the mission: to provide a Biblical covering for sexually exploited widows and orphans while breaking generational curses.
In 2023, the Kaleb House team faced a significant challenge. Despite our facility not being complete, we were called to assist women and children in need. We didn't hesitate. We knew that if these individuals were brought to us, we would find a way to care for them.
Over the past year, we've provided for dozens of women and children, sought justice for those hurt, and continued our facility's construction. We have also continued our focus on the future. We know the children we have in our care are just the beginning.
While we wish this were not an issue that had to be addressed, we know we can’t stand by and expect it to disappear without action. One of our future goals is to have livestock on the property. While we work with licensed therapists, we also know there is an incredible benefit for trauma victims to interact with animals. Our Property Manager, who has over a decade of experience in Regenerative Agriculture, is preparing our facility to add livestock and gardens. Both aspects the children will get to work with and enjoy once on the property.
We are acutely aware that one Kaleb House facility is not enough. With just over 400 beds available at trafficking restoration facilities across the US, our goal for the future is to continue building Kaleb Houses until all children who have been victims of sex trafficking are restored and able to live beautiful lives.
A calling placed on one man’s heart has grown to individuals, communities, and businesses coming together to care for people they had never met. Kaleb House has grown beyond a man or a team.
Kaleb House is a family. We take children in when they have been broken and abused and work diligently to restore their lives. We work with therapists to help the children talk about what they have been through, jiu-jitsu instructors to help with anger, and lawyers to seek justice for those who hurt them.
Above all, we show them that God loves them, that He saved them, and that there are people out there who want the best for them. We are bold in our faith and commitment to the Father when we interact with the children, in the court system, and with those in the community.
This is not a job any of us have sought out to boost our resume. The Father has called us to this ministry, and we will not stop until this is no longer a problem.
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