To my fellow South Bend-ians, my fellow advocates, the human trafficking survivors of the world, and all the donors, volunteers, and SMEs in their field I can amass who would be willing to donate specialized time  for this project or join us on our Board of Directors:

We are at a defining crossroad for the historic 110-acre Portage Manor Estate in South Bend, Indiana.

Instead of letting this currently unused land be fractured or lost to conventional development, we have an unprecedented opportunity to create an extraordinary, multi-million-dollar community asset that combines world-class trauma recovery, global human rights advocacy, local economic growth, and family-centered tourism.

We are calling on local leadership and national stakeholders to support the vision of the Labyrinth Initiative & Camp Lily Pads!

What This Proposal Brings to South Bend & Beyond:

🌊 A Great Wolf Lodge Partnered Resort & Economic Engine: By leasing ~28 acres on a long-term NNN model, this project brings an estimated $33 Million in annual regional economic impact, generates 700 construction jobs, creates 500 permanent positions, and funds local family infrastructure!

🏥 Ideal Location for Medical & Family Care: The Portage Manor site sits just 3.5 miles from Memorial’s Beacon Children’s Hospital (a Ronald McDonald House partner). Placing a family resort and refuge here creates unprecedented synergy for visiting families, specialized care support, and regional accessibility!

🕊️ A United Nations-Aligned R&R for Survivors: Establishing a 7-day specialized rest and recuperation sanctuary for survivors of human trafficking (including pre-2000 TVPA survivors), backed by trauma-informed care and international consulting pathways as a UN NGO Consultant.

🏛️ A Designated World Human Trafficking Heritage Center: A dedicated front-facing center and living art installation—modeled after the South Bend Civic Heritage Center—designed to educate the public, honor survivor resilience, and directly fund arts programs for youth survivors nationally.

🤝 Direct Support for Local Nonprofits: Providing office suites, $1-a-year leases, and seed support to help 5 grassroots nonprofits thrive, alongside local community attraction passes for survivors (zoos, museums, and botanical gardens)!

🌿 Land Preservation & Universal Design: Preserving the natural beauty of the 110-acre estate, incorporating sensory safe spaces, and partnering with a local Buddhist temple to anchor the land in peace and environmental stewardship.

Why Your Signature Matters:

Whether you are a local South Bend resident who wants to see Portage Manor repurposed into something truly inspiring, a parent excited about bringing a major family resort experience to our backyard, or a national advocate for human rights—your voice carries weight.

A massive show of public support proves to city leaders, county commissioners, and major corporate partners (like Great Wolf Lodge) that our community wants innovation, compassion, and economic growth that serves a purpose.

Sign and share this petition today to tell St. Joseph County and potential partners: Let’s make the Labyrinth Initiative vision at Portage Manor a reality!