From personal stories to real world scenarios to a self-defense session. On Saturday, Jan. 18, people received practical tools to help identify and prevent human trafficking. Chandra Cooper uses a chant to kick off the annual ‘Stay Out the Game 101’ youth summit.  

Grateful Girls, Inc is a social service agency that works with youth and young women who are high risk, who are victims, and who are survivors of human trafficking. Joining us to discuss their important mission and an interactive event for awareness and prevention is Founder and CEO Chandra Cooper, along with Arnitta Holliman from the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention.

Amongst all of those businesses, there is one that truly stands out. Queen’s Closet MKE. Known to be owned by the non profit Grateful Girls, Inc., this establishment not only offers an amazing line of used and new clothing, but also does its part in giving back to the community.

Around 40 Milwaukee youth attended the “Stay Out The Game 101 Youth Summit” Saturday at the Northside YMCA. The summit included workshops, speakers, educational sessions and even a self-defense class for the children.

Chandra Cooper’s multi-faceted legacy is being built on the foundation of serving others.

Queens Closet started out as a small boutique at Grateful Girls Inc., Executive Director Chandra Cooper's nonprofit organization. Queens Closet is a way to handle the influx of donated goods and give women and girls job experience and training to become more employable.

They're young, scared, hurting and mostly faceless victims. Many are stuck in the dangerous streets of prostitution until they have nowhere to turn. That's where Grateful Girls steps in.

Forced prostitution is a multi-billion dollar a year industry that can be found in just about any American city.

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But one city in particular is generating a culture that's turned sex trafficking into a family business.

For the young women staying at the Grateful Girls Safe Haven, it may be the first time that they truly feel at home. This kind of environment is not what the residents are used to. The young women, ages 15-21, are transitioning out of the sex trade in Milwaukee.

For the young women staying at the Grateful Girls Safe Haven, it may be the first time that they truly feel at home.