Rest Stop Ministries

What Rest Stop Ministries does

Rest Stop Ministries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee, founded in June 2011 to restore adult female survivors of domestic sex trafficking. It opened Tennessee's first long-term, 24/7 staffed residential restoration program in November 2015 at Good Hope Farms, a 25-acre campus offering 7 beds and an 18–24 month trauma-informed program that includes housing, food, counseling, case management, medical/dental/vision referrals, vocational training, life-skills education, and family reconciliation at no cost to residents. The organization operates three integrated pillars: Residential Restoration, Good Hope Farms (a Hope Enterprise & Workforce Empowerment division with a 9-month paid retail/agricultural training curriculum), and Alumni Aftercare (a 2-bed transitional apartment plus a full year of post-graduation housing subsidies, therapy, and lifelong community support).

The underlying technology is standard nonprofit infrastructure — a WordPress website, Kindful donor management, Mailchimp newsletters, and active social media on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn — with no proprietary software products. Business model is a hybrid of contributed revenue (individual donations, monthly 'Faithful Farmer Community' sponsorships, corporate Gala sponsors across Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze tiers, grants via United Way Wilson-Upper Cumberland and The Women's Fund CFMT) and earned revenue (Good Hope Farms online and farm-store sales of survivor-made apparel, home goods, honey, jams, artisan soap, and skincare). The Annual Gala (14th edition scheduled for August 29, 2026) and the Half and Half Marathon are the two largest annual fundraising events. Leadership includes Executive Director & CEO Michele Speich, Director of Revenue & Communications Kala Davis, and a Board chaired by Ken Glaus; the organization is independent, with no parent company and no PE/VC ownership.

Name

Rest Stop Ministries

Legal name

Rest Stop Ministries, Inc.

Website

https://reststopministries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rest Stop Ministries is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit in Lebanon, Tennessee that operates Tennessee's first long-term, 24/7 staffed residential restoration program for adult female survivors of domestic sex trafficking, providing 18–24 months of trauma-informed care, workforce training, and alumni aftercare.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Anti-Trafficking Survivor Restoration Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Human trafficking recovery
• Trauma-informed residential care
• Survivor restoration services
• Workforce empowerment programs
• Faith-based nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tennessee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting the mission. Donors can give online via Kindful platform or by check by mail.
2. Monthly Sponsorship Programs: Monthly giving program called 'Faithful Farmer Community' with various sponsorship levels including Comprehensive Sponsorship covering resident monthly costs, Holistic Sponsorship covering food or therapy costs, 'Stop Oppression' Sponsorship for graduation/transition support, and 'Restore Survivors' Sponsorship for hospitality items.
3. Annual Gala Fundraiser: 14th Annual Gala scheduled for August 29, 2026, serving as the largest annual fundraising event. All proceeds go directly to survivor care.
4. Good Hope Farms Social Enterprise: Retail shop selling survivor-made products including apparel, home goods, accessories, stationary, jams, pickles, honey, artisan soap, and skincare products. Every sale promotes economic empowerment of survivors locally and globally.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors at various levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) for annual events and ongoing support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rest Stop Ministries operates a long-term (18–24 month), trauma-informed residential restoration program for adult female survivors of domestic sex trafficking, providing 7 beds at no cost on its 25-acre Good Hope Farms campus in Lebanon, Tennessee. Its three programmatic pillars — Residential Restoration, Good Hope Farms (Hope Enterprise & Workforce Empowerment) with paid job-readiness training, and Alumni Aftercare — deliver housing, food, counseling, case management, workforce development, and lifelong community support funded through donations, sponsorships, and social enterprise product sales.

Product overview

Rest Stop Ministries operates as a nonprofit organization (not a technology product company) providing residential restoration services for female survivors of sex trafficking. The organization offers three integrated programmatic pillars: (1) the Residential Restoration Program providing 18-24 months of trauma-informed, holistic care with 7 beds at no cost; (2) Good Hope Farms, the Hope Enterprise & Workforce Empowerment division offering a 9-month job readiness curriculum with paid retail training through its online shop; and (3) Alumni Aftercare providing transitional housing and ongoing support for graduates. Additional offerings include the Annual Gala as the primary fundraising event and the Half and Half Marathon community fitness fundraiser.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Good Hope Farms: Hope Enterprise & Workforce Empowerment pillar of Rest Stop Ministries - provides job readiness curriculum, retail shop, and economic empowerment for survivors of trafficking locally and globally. Products include apparel, home goods, accessories, stationary, jams, pickles, honey, artisan soap, and skincare products.

Products and services

• Residential Restoration Program Long-term (18–24 months) comprehensive, trauma-informed, holistic residential restoration services providing 7 beds at no cost for adult female survivors of sex trafficking, including 24/7 staff support, trauma-focused counseling, individualized case management, daily therapeutic activities, group counseling, medical/dental/vision referrals, educational support, life-skills training, and transportation.
• Good Hope Farms (Hope Enterprise & Workforce Empowerment)

Quantifiable outcome

• 43 women served over 6 years showing measurable mental health improvements
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CandidcoreOthersCandid (formerly GuideStar) provides the Platinum Seal to RSM, indicating maximum nonprofit transparency and credibility. The partnership helps build trust with donors through verified nonprofit information.
• Atlas FreecoreOthersAtlas Free is part of RSM's global network, connecting the organization with international anti-trafficking efforts and resources.
• United Way Wilson-Upper CumberlandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional United Way chapter partners with RSM to support fundraising and community impact initiatives in the Wilson County and Upper Cumberland area.
• The Women's Fund (CFMT)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Women's Fund at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee supports RSM through grantmaking and advocacy for women and girls in the region.
• The Jensen ProjectminorOthersThe Jensen Project is a ministry/organization that recognizes RSM's work in the anti-trafficking space.
• National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTSA/Sheltered Alliance connects RSM with other shelters and organizations dedicated to serving trafficking survivors, enabling collaboration and resource sharing.
• Cul2Vate FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCul2Vate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that grows food and people in the Greater Nashville area. They feed those suffering from food insecurity with fresh produce and employ 'Cul2vators' (many formerly incarcerated or in recovery) for training. Partnership supports economic empowerment of RSM residents through farm fresh products and mentorship.
• NewWork FellowshipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNewWork Fellowship volunteers have supported RSM by leaving encouraging notes, creating beautiful spaces like a new gazebo at Good Hope Farms, and supporting community engagement.
• CPR with JennieminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides CPR training for RSM staff to ensure team readiness to respond in critical situations. Part of creating a safe environment for survivors.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Thistle Farms: Nashville-based nonprofit operating a residential program and social enterprise (Thistle Stop Cafe, body care products) for women survivors of trafficking, exploitation, and addiction. Direct peer sharing both the residential model and the workforce empowerment/social enterprise strategy in the same Tennessee market.
• The WellHouse: Alabama-based nonprofit providing safe housing and restorative care for adult female survivors of sex trafficking. Direct peer in long-term residential care, faith-based programming, and survivor-centered service model.
• Samaritan Women: Faith-based nonprofit operating long-term residential restoration programs for adult female survivors of sex trafficking nationally. Direct peer in faith-based, two-year residential care model with workforce and aftercare components.
• Memphis Magdalene (MHRT): Memphis-based residential program for women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction with a social enterprise (Maggie's Heroes Ranch, laundry services). Tennessee peer with a similarly integrated housing plus workforce empowerment model.
• New Friends New Life: Dallas-based nonprofit providing residential restoration, counseling, and economic empowerment services for women survivors of trafficking. Direct peer in the holistic residential-plus-workforce model serving adult female survivors.
• Door of Hope: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing long-term safe housing and comprehensive restoration programs for adult survivors of sex trafficking. Direct peer in faith-based, long-term residential care for adult women survivors.
• Mercy Multiplied: Faith-based nonprofit operating residential restoration homes for young women escaping trafficking, exploitation, and life-controlling issues across multiple U.S. locations. Direct peer in faith-based, long-term residential care model.

Broad incumbents

• Safe Horizon: Large New York-based nonprofit providing comprehensive services for trafficking survivors including shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy. Broader incumbent offering overlapping trafficking survivor services at much larger scale.
• Polaris Project: National anti-trafficking organization operating the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline and providing resources, policy advocacy, and survivor services. Broad incumbent in the same anti-trafficking ecosystem with overlapping survivor support objectives.

Others

• National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA): Coalition of residential programs serving trafficking survivors, of which RSM is a member. Industry alliance peer representing the broader shelter collective that RSM collaborates with for resource sharing and best practices.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/reststopmin
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@reststopministries
• Facebookfacebook.com/reststopministries/timeline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rest-stop-ministries
• Instagraminstagram.com/reststopministries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rest Stop Ministries