In a quiet corner of South Tampa, where the scent of candles mingles with the hum of purpose, a new kind of healing is taking root. Survivor Ventures, a nonprofit dedicated to economic empowerment for survivors of human trafficking, has opened its first Florida branch, and with it, a social enterprise, holistic wellness hub, and metaphysical shop called The Garden Within. The name isn’t just poetic. It’s a promise.
Survivor Ventures’ South Tampa location includes holistic wellness and healing hub The Garden Within.
At the helm of this transformative effort is Chief of Operations Quintina Sonnie, whose leadership blends fierce advocacy with grounded compassion. A survivor herself, Sonnie brings lived experience and strategic vision to a space designed to uplift others walking similar paths.
“Survivor Ventures has been such a blessing to me as a lived experience expert and survivor leader,” she shares. “I have been in the field serving survivors for almost a decade, and when I started with Survivor Venture three years ago, I was really excited about the services we offered because in all my time seeking services as a survivor and providing them, I hadn’t seen anything like what we have. Being in Tampa means a lot to me because this particular county has more strip clubs than Las Vegas. With the access to waterways and cheap flights, it’s created a lot of exploitation and trafficking. With the lack of resources available and the system barriers ever increasing, survivors of human trafficking need programs like ours to succeed.”
Putting down roots in Florida
Based on calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Florida ranks third nationally for human trafficking cases and Tampa is 12th among metropolitan areas.
Headquartered in Virginia, Survivor Ventures opened its Tampa location in May to address the area’s rising need for survivor-centered support. The organization offers paid fellowships, workforce development, and wraparound services like housing and therapy, all aimed at breaking the cycles of exploitation and poverty.
Understanding that survivors face employment obstacles such as criminal records and limited work experience, Survivor Ventures created a supportive employment program. Collaborating with small businesses, the organization reduces employment barriers and reimburses wages for business owners who mentor survivors. This approach benefits survivors and businesses, providing career experience and income while teaching entrepreneurial skills.
Housing support is a critical pillar. Survivor Ventures works with community-minded landlords who help reduce barriers to safe, stable accommodations. The program includes rental assistance, enabling survivors to build credit and rental history, and prepares them for eventual homeownership. Survivor Ventures provides shelter through flexible options such as Airbnb to quickly move those in crisis into a safe living environment.
Survivor Ventures’ The Garden Within
Holistic care is prioritized, with mental health stipends and resources for healing. In Tampa, these support programs are anchored at Garden Within, the nonprofit’s social enterprise shop. This storefront generates income for Survivor Ventures programs and fosters recovery and empowerment.
“Who better to assist and guide survivors than someone who has been through it?” Sonnie says. “Being survivor-led means care and compassion because we’ve been there. We know how hard it is to leave the life and move forward.”
Located near the Survivor Ventures office, Garden Within features a range of metaphysical and wellness products and services that embodies the idea of growth. For many survivors, it is the first step toward financial independence.
An anonymous staff member describes their experience: “I work as a shop keeper, taking care of customers and products and practicing healing resources such as energy work, tarot readings, and life coaching. As a survivor, I recognize the value of growing in this shop with the healing and supportive resources available and being able to develop my own business. I really love how Survivor Ventures supports the journey of entrepreneurship and self-development. I have received support in so many ways and having a stable income with a humanizing culture allows me to create even more beauty in the world around me.”
Reflecting on a typical day in the shop, another staff member says “learning and being educated while returning the love does not feel like a role, but more like a free opportunity to work while ‘gardening within.’”
Sonnie notes that, despite obstacles and limited resources, survivors in Tampa show remarkable resilience and determination to regain stability, find employment, and move beyond their past. Many have experienced “work” as a traumatizing ordeal, with years spent in exploitation.
Survivor Ventures partners with local businesses and nonprofits to build a support network. Volunteers play a vital role, providing mentorship and compassion.
“I love the holistic healing services offered to survivors,” a staff member says. “Survivor Ventures generates radical trauma-informed support and recognizes the full humanity of the individual, not just helping with physical resources, but also mental and emotional ones. At Garden Within it’s easy to balance retail with restoration. The store recognizes people as fully human, not just workers or any other label. I love being in a nurturing environment that supports my dreams and growth externally, but also internally. The energy of the space is peaceful and rejuvenating. I often leave work more energized than I was starting.”
Sonnie says they frequently receive positive feedback about the uplifting environment.
“We have had many of our clients come to the Garden Within and say that it feels so good to be in there,” she says. “Not just the people, but the shop itself and the incredible staff who care so deeply for this mission. One of our mentees was able to get her own apartment after just a few months of working with us, and she continues to thrive, owning her own business as well. It’s incredible to see the amazing things survivors can do when given the chance.”
Looking ahead, Survivor Ventures has a March 2026 gala event organized by Tampa Bay Exceptional Women (TBEW). The organization stresses that human trafficking affects every part of society and collective action is vital for uplifting survivors and creating positive change.
As the Tampa community continues to support these efforts, Garden Within stands as a powerful metaphor: growth from grit, beauty from brokenness, and hope blooming when nurtured.
For more information, go to Survivor Ventures
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