A Shared Mission
Bakhita House becomes the first House of Studies for women in the Thrive For Life network, expanding our commitment to accompany highly committed and motivated individuals seeking healing, education, stability, and hope.
Committed to
Service
Committed to Service
For decades, Anne Haines has lived a vocation rooted in education, hospitality, and Catholic social teaching. As an educator, theologian, and longtime advocate for those living on society's margins, she spent years discerning how God was calling her to serve. That journey eventually led to the founding of St. Bakhita House—a home where women survivors of sexual exploitation are welcomed not for who they have been, but for who they are becoming.
Inspired by the witness of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement, Anne envisioned a community where the Beatitudes would be lived each day through shared meals, meaningful relationships, and steadfast accompaniment. Today, as St. Bakhita House enters a new chapter alongside Thrive For Life, the spirit of hospitality and accompaniment will continue to shape the home and everyone who walks through its doors.
“In the spirit of solidarity, and with a desire to ensure that we serve as many women as possible, we are becoming a part of the Thrive For Life community.”
—Anne Haines
Rooted in the Same Gospel
Founded in Milwaukee, St. Bakhita House is a Catholic Worker Movement of Hospitality, Healing, and Community for Women Survivors of sexual exploitation.
Though our ministries were born in different places, they have always been rooted in the same Gospel call: to recognize the God-given dignity of every person and walk alongside those seeking a new beginning.
Founded in New York City, Thrive For Life is built upon Jesuit Spirituality and provides Education, Housing, Employment, and Purpose to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Matthew 13
Four years ago, St. Bakhita House began as a small act of faith. Like the mustard seed, it grew into a place where women found safety, healing, and hope.
Today, through God's grace, that same seed continues to grow—extending its branches through the Thrive For Life Network while remaining deeply rooted in its original mission.
Women will now have access to
Supportive Housing
Educational Pathways
Employment Support
Lifelong Community
Spiritual Formation
Trauma-Informed Care
More Opportunities.
The same calling.
Together we are creating a network of homes where formerly incarcerated men and women can pursue education, meaningful work, spiritual growth, and lives rooted in community. This partnership allows us to serve more women while remaining faithful to the mission that brought us together.
In Fr. Zach’s Words
"Today marks not an ending, but the beginning of a beautiful new chapter in the life of Bakhita House."
"Anne's vision, and her love for the women she has served, have laid a foundation that we at Thrive For Life are deeply honored to continue."
"May this new chapter for Bakhita House be one of renewed hope, expanded opportunity, and enduring faith as together we proclaim that no person's past has the final word. In Christ, every life can begin again."
“We are deeply humbled to carry this legacy forward together.”
“YOU are the water and sun to our mustard seed.”
“I make all things new.”
—Revelation 21:5
At Thrive For Life, we believe no one is defined by the choices they’ve made, nor what’s been done to them. Our mission is to create supportive environments where men and women can rebuild their lives through education, employment, housing and redeveloping a sense of purpose.
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