Awaken

The Greater Green Bay Chamber defines any business with less than 50 employees as a small business. Small businesses make up more than 80% of our membership base, and we are proud to offer them support and resources through programming, events and workspaces. This blog post is part of a new monthly series highlighting the small businesses in our community. Learn more about Awaken in this Q&A with Executive Director, Kasia Klaus.

Tell us about Awaken. What is your mission?

"Awaken acts to transform our community with the ultimate goal of eradicating commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Our mission is to increase awareness and education around the issue of CSE and to provide healing and restoration for survivors. We aim for the survivors of CSE to be restored to their fullest potential."

When was Awaken established?

"Awaken was founded in May of 2011 in Reno, Nevada and expanded to Brown County, WI officially in June of 2022."

What inspired you to bring Awaken to Wisconsin?

"Unfortunately, post-Covid the nonprofit that previously existed specifically serving this population in our area dissolved, therefore leaving a gap in restorative services for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Having a passion for underserved populations and seeing this human rights issue go unaddressed was not something I could turn a blind eye to." 

What services does Awaken offer?

"The location of the Awaken Center is intentionally placed between two bus stops in the heart of industrial Green Bay, making it easily accessible for participants. The Center is a safe and welcoming atmosphere for survivors to seek reprieve and obtain various services that are made available to them.

Awaken Center

The Awaken Center exists to meet the basic needs of our participants as best we can. At the Center, participants can utilize the shower during specific time periods, grab food and beverages that are readily available while at the Center, visit our coffee bar, access the various art projects or board games on site, speak with an advocate regarding resources in our community, visit our clothing boutique, use the business center, or just relax on the couch. Our heart is to meet participants where they are and assess their immediate needs. If a service is beyond our scope, we ensure a warm handoff to a community partner that may be better suited to address that specific need.

Peer Support Groups

The foundation of our Peer Support Groups is relationship; true impact comes with building trust and rapport. Our groups are offered a couple of times a week. Through these groups, we address topics such as grounding techniques, art therapy, guest speakers, and numerous other psycho-educational classes that help equip participants with the tools needed to achieve self-sustainment. Before the group, we serve a homemade meal, usually provided by one of our volunteers from our meals team. This allows us to build community and provides an optimal setting for open conversations.

Jail Outreach

Our Outreach Coordinator’s serve as an advocate in the Brown County Jail to help connect our participants to needed resources, aid in developing a plan for re-entry upon release, possible transportation from the jail to a program, provide an emergency pack full of hygiene products when released, and most importantly the ability to establish community while incarcerated.

Education/Training

Education efforts are an imperative part of ensuring that vulnerable populations, such as disadvantaged youth, understand sex trafficking and CSE. Awaken’s prevention education is a community effort to ensure that the crimes of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking will eventually be eradicated. In 2024 alone, Awaken provided approximately 61 trainings to professionals, community members, and various schools in our area."

How would you describe your journey as a nonprofit founder so far?

"The journey has been one of passion, challenges, and resilience. It has become more than just running an organization—it’s about building a community. We have connected with law enforcement agencies, social workers, lawyers, and advocates to create a strong support system for survivors.

One of the most rewarding parts of the journey is seeing lives change—survivors finding healing, vulnerable populations becoming more protected, and our community waking up to the reality of what CSE and sex trafficking look like on a local level."

What has been the most rewarding moment for you in founding and running a nonprofit?

"I couldn’t be more proud of our community’s collective efforts to eradicate sex trafficking and ensure survivors have adequate services available. Together, we’ve created life-changing opportunities for our participants to rebuild their lives, while raising awareness and strengthening protection for countless vulnerable individuals."

What has been the most challenging part of founding and running a nonprofit?

"Unlike for-profit businesses, nonprofits rely on grants, donations, and sponsorships. Consistently finding and maintaining funding can be tough, especially when there are limited resources for all the amazing nonprofits in our area."

Who has been the most influential person to you in your advocacy journey?

"My husband has been a huge influence in starting this new venture. He has not only supported this journey, but has actively championed the cause alongside me. His shared passion and advocacy within the community has helped amplify our impact and built stronger connections to help continue our mission. For me, Awaken is not a job, it has become a calling for our family."

What are you the most excited about as you look to the future of Awaken in Green Bay?

"Although the road ahead remains challenging, our progress fuels our resolve to continue the difference we are making. We are looking forward to new initiatives aimed at prevention and survivor empowerment, and hope our community will continue in this movement with us. We actually have some exciting news that we will share at our 2025 Benefit Concert taking place on May 15th, so you won’t want to miss it!"

How can people find and support Awaken?

"Getting involved with Awaken is a powerful way to support survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) and help prevent trafficking in our community. You can volunteer your time, participate in awareness events, donate to sustain our critical services, or become an advocate for survivors. Whether through financial support, community engagement, or professional collaboration, your involvement strengthens our mission to restore lives and create lasting change. Learn more at www.awakenjustice.org and on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram."