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Local nonprofit Sycamore Farm seeks city support to aid trafficking survivors; mayor signals opioid-fund allocations forthcoming
Summary
Sycamore Farm described a women-focused emergency stabilization and long-term recovery program for survivors of trafficking and exploitation during a Shepherdsville City Council meeting; mayor said the council will consider allocating opioid-settlement funds and asked for line-item plans before any disbursements.
Cindy Crawford, founder of Sycamore Farm, told the Shepherdsville City Council on July 14 that her nonprofit operates an emergency home and a longer-term residential program for women who have experienced human trafficking and related exploitation. Crawford said the organization provides individualized care and “help them find freedom through the love of Jesus,” and noted Sycamore Farm serves women regardless of religious belief.
The council’s mayor said the city will discuss allocating opioid-settlement money to local organizations in coming meetings and listed Sycamore Farm among five groups under consideration. The mayor told Crawford the city will require “a line by line” accounting before funds are released.
Why this matters: Council members said the city has opioid funds to distribute and wants to support local recovery and reentry services, but they emphasized documentation and legal compliance before approving awards. Crawford told the council that many trafficking survivors also struggle with addiction and that “a hundred percent of them have had an addiction issue or a drug, alcohol addiction,” noting that recovery services and twice-weekly therapy and one-on-one case management are central to Sycamore Farm’s work.
Crawford said Sycamore Farm opened an emergency home in 2019 and has helped women move to “their next best step,” describing a model that serves one or two women at a time to address overlapping needs such as mental illness, addiction and homelessness. She described a 12-month long-term residential option to follow initial stabilization and said the program typically does not bill residents or accept their insurance.
Mayor comments indicated the council intends to vet eligibility and permissible uses of opioid-settlement funds, and to clarify whether funds must be tied strictly to opioid treatment or can support related needs such as transportation or housing that aid recovery. The mayor said the city will consult the Kentucky League of Cities and will require budget detail from any organization seeking an award.
The council did not vote on funding at the meeting. Crawford said Sycamore Farm already conducts jail outreach in Bullitt County and is moving operations to Shepherdsville to open an emergency stabilization residence.
Crawford and the mayor both stressed confidentiality and ongoing coordination with police and social-service partners; the mayor said staff would return with details before any allocation is finalized.
The City Council signaled support for exploring grant awards but made clear formal allocations will follow council review of program budgets and documentation.
