A way out, a hand up, a clean sweep

Special Issue | Three charities from last year return as Samaritan Award Finalists | Joshua King

A WAY OUT

Strippers and prostitutes. Some 300-500 women work in Memphis strip clubs every day, according to George Kuykendall, director of Citizens for Community Values—and about as many walk at night on the city's notorious "Ho Track." The Memphis phone book lists 104 escort services.

CCV staff members and more than 100 volunteers partner with area churches to help women escape the sex industry. This year CCV's victim-assistance program, fittingly named A Way Out, has helped 31 strippers and prostitutes change their lives. Although she receives many calls for help, program director Carol Wiley said not everyone is willing to let go of the lifestyle: "We're very conscientious about making sure we get the women who really want help. The women have to be in a place where they're broken enough to want to make some changes."