Our History

What began in 2017 as one survivor’s vision has grown into a continuum of care spanning prevention education, transitional housing, case management, and community support. From humble beginnings organizing community events to opening safe houses for survivors across every stage of life, I AM VOICES has continually evolved, always guided by the belief that survivors deserve individualized pathways to healing, not a one-size-fits-all response.

I AM VOICES was founded in May 2017 by survivor-leader Megan K. Manigault. The organization grew from Megan’s lived experience as a survivor of childhood sexual violence and her desire to create the support, education, and safe spaces she wished had existed for her.

The decision to establish I AM VOICES became especially personal when Megan’s daughter reached the same age Megan was when her abuse began. Megan understood that preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors required more than one organization—it required an informed and connected community.

From 2017 through 2019, I AM VOICES organized community events that brought together organizations and providers working in sexual violence, child advocacy, and human trafficking. Community partners included organizations such as the Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center, Guardian ad Litem, Darkness to Light, and other local service providers.

I AM VOICES hosted large community gatherings at Gahagan Park in Summerville, creating opportunities for families to meet providers, learn about available resources, and participate in conversations about prevention and survivor support.

In addition to its larger community events, I AM VOICES conducted monthly awareness programs at libraries throughout the community.

Topics included:

• Sexual Assault 101
• Understanding human trafficking
• Recognizing warning signs
• Body safety and personal boundaries
• How and where to report abuse
• Supporting survivors
• Connecting families with community resources

I AM VOICES also incorporated Darkness to Light training and prevention education into its community programming.

The organization brought these conversations into churches, ministries, and other community groups, helping participants understand sexual violence, recognize human trafficking, respond appropriately to disclosures, and identify resources for survivors.

These early years established I AM VOICES as a trusted community educator, convener, advocate, and connector of survivor-support services.

In 2018, I AM VOICES expanded internationally by establishing I AM VOICES Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria.

The chapter operated Your Voice, Your Unique Power, an in-school prevention and empowerment program for children and young people. Through age-appropriate education, participants learned:

• The correct names and importance of their body parts
• Body safety and personal boundaries
• How to recognize inappropriate or unsafe behavior
• How and where to report abuse
• The importance of speaking to a trusted adult
• Self-advocacy and the power of using their voices

The program also included a pledge that reinforced each child’s right to body safety, personal boundaries, and speaking up when something did not feel right.

I AM VOICES operated its Lagos programs from 2018 through 2024, supported by a local team that conducted in-school programming, outreach, workshops, and community education. Operations in Lagos paused in 2024 as the organization focused its resources on expanding housing and direct survivor services in South Carolina.

In 2021, I AM VOICES opened its first safe house in North Charleston. The home was created specifically for young survivors of sexual violence.

This milestone fulfilled one of Megan’s earliest goals: creating a safe place where survivors could receive housing, individualized case management, advocacy, and holistic support while working toward stability.

Participants received assistance with education, healthcare, employment preparation, life skills, financial literacy, transportation, healthy relationships, and the development of long-term goals.

In 2022, I AM VOICES opened a second house to serve adult survivors of human trafficking.

The additional home allowed the organization to separate populations and provide services that better reflected each participant’s age, experiences, responsibilities, and stage of life.

Case management focused on safety, healthcare, employment, education, financial stability, healthy support systems, and preparation for permanent housing and independence.

In 2023, I AM VOICES opened a third house for senior survivors of sexual assault or human trafficking.

The third home expanded the organization’s ability to support survivors across different age groups and life stages. It also reinforced the importance of creating individualized pathways instead of expecting every survivor to have the same needs or recovery experience.

That year, I AM VOICES also launched Blossom Supportive Services. Blossom extended the organization’s case management, advocacy, referrals, and holistic support to survivors living in the community, those who did not require housing, and participants needing continued assistance after transitioning from a housing program.

In 2023, I AM VOICES served 512 individuals through housing, supportive services, prevention education, advocacy, outreach, and community-based programming.

In 2024, I AM VOICES opened the Blooming Buds Survivor Community Garden.

The garden created a healing-centered space where survivors could connect with nature, reduce isolation, develop new skills, and build relationships within a supportive community.

I AM VOICES also continued strengthening its peer-to-peer support opportunities, allowing survivors to connect with others who understood their experiences while working toward healing and long-term stability.

After six years of international programming, I AM VOICES paused its Lagos operations in 2024 to concentrate resources on the organization’s growing housing and survivor-support programs in South Carolina.

In 2025, I AM VOICES opened the Survivor’s Boutique, creating a welcoming and dignified space where survivors could select clothing, household necessities, personal-care products, and other essential items.

The boutique allowed survivors to choose the items they needed rather than simply receiving preselected donations. Participants responded enthusiastically to having a space centered on dignity, choice, and personal expression.

Through community donations and partnerships, I AM VOICES has distributed an estimated $50,000–$60,000 in in-kind support annually.

I AM VOICES also secured a healthcare partnership that expanded survivor access to physical examinations, medications, therapy, case management, and other essential healthcare services.

In 2025, I AM VOICES served 289 adults and young people through its housing and community-based services.

As the organization’s housing model evolved, I AM VOICES established distinct program pathways that reflect participants’ ages, life experiences, and individual goals:

• Red Rose Housing Program, a transitional housing program for young adult survivors ages 18–26
• Yellow Sunflower Housing Program, a transitional housing program for adult survivors age 27 and older
• Blossom Supportive Services, providing community-based and post-housing case management and support

In 2026, I AM VOICES also began developing Petal Path – Lotus House, a specialized residential program for minor survivors of human trafficking trafficking ages 14–17.

Lotus House represents the next chapter of the organization’s work and responds to the critical shortage of safe, long-term placement options for minor survivors in South Carolina.

What began in 2017 as a survivor’s vision has grown into a continuum of prevention education, community awareness, transitional housing, case management, healthcare connections, advocacy, material assistance, and long-term survivor support.

Although the programs have evolved, the purpose of I AM VOICES remains the same: creating safe spaces where survivors can reclaim their voices, rebuild their lives, and move toward lasting stability.