Our Story
Leveraging the right tools, something broken can be reassembled into something beautiful. At The Joseph Project, we believe that the law is a powerful tool that can be leveraged to help reassemble the broken pieces of a life shattered by exploitation.

Watch Relieved, the story behind The Joseph Project’s founding
Joseph’s Story
In the ancient book of Genesis, a boy named Joseph had dreams of leadership. Those dreams were shattered, however, when his brothers stole his colored coat and trafficked him into Egyptian slavery. Consigned to domestic servitude and later imprisoned on false charges, Joseph’s circumstances seemed hopeless. Yet, with God’s help, the broken pieces of his life were reassembled.

Hieroglyph 1 — DREAM
Joseph said to his brothers, 'Listen to this dream I had...'. (Genesis 37:6). Joseph's story begins with a dream. He envisions a future in which he becomes a leader and his presence is respectfully acknowledged. Symbolized by images of wheat and heavenly bodies that bow down to him, Joseph's dream instills the belief that he was made for more. Were you ever a dreamer? Did you ever believe that your life was meant for something greater? If so, you and Joseph have something in common.

Hieroglyph 2 — COAT
“Now Israel loved Joseph... and he made him a coat of many colors." (Genesis 37:3). In his early years, Joseph experienced affirmation at home. Israel, his father, favored Joseph by giving him a colored coat. This now-famous gift was a symbol of approval that none of his other brothers received. Have you ever felt affirmed in your calling - like you were moving steadily in the direction of your dreams? Joseph did, too.

Hieroglyph 3 — SLAVE
"What will we gain if we kill our brother?... Come, let's sell him." (Genesis 37:26-27). Joseph's brothers hated him. Jealous of his dreams and his colored coat, they devised a plan to rid him from their lives. One day, while working in a remote area, they forcibly sold Joseph to a passing caravan of slave traders, who trafficked him to Egypt. Have you ever experienced the pain of a broken dream? Were you ever exploited, abused, or hurt by someone else? Joseph knew what that felt like.

Hieroglyph 4 — SERVANT
“Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.” (Genesis 37:36). Sold into slavery, Joseph became a domestic servant in the house of an Egyptian captain named Potiphar. Joseph served Potiphar faithfully and was eventually given charge over the entire residence, honing his work ethic and developing leadership skills. Have you ever found yourself in a place you never wanted to be? Is it possible that the detour was preparing you for the future of your dreams? Joseph could relate.

Hieroglyph 5 — PRISON
“Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.”
(Genesis 39:20). In the course of his domestic servitude, Joseph was falsely accused of attempted rape by Potiphar’s wife. Deprived of all due process, Joseph was incarcerated in the pharaoh’s cell block, where he supervised fellow inmates and interpreted their dreams. Have you ever felt like your circumstances were beyond your ability to endure? Could it be that your character was being refined in preparation for promotion? Joseph faced this kind of test.

Hieroglyph 6 — THRONE
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.’ (Genesis 41:39-40). During his incarceration, Joseph’s wisdom became well-known throughout the prison. Years later, Pharaoh himself had dreams of economic turmoil that he did not fully understand. Advised of a prisoner with keen interpretive abilities, Pharaoh summoned Joseph, who predicted a famine and proposed a food conservation strategy. Impressed by Joseph’s insight, Pharaoh appointed him second-in-command of the entire Egyptian empire, charging him with the administration of the country’s food supply. Joseph skillfully led Egypt through the famine - forgiving his brothers and fulfilling his dreams along the way. Have you ever experienced the joy of a dream come true? Could you trace its fulfillment back to the moments you demonstrated faith and perseverance when circumstances seemed hopeless? That’s how Joseph interpreted his life.

D’Lynn’s Story
Like Joseph, many have endured various forms of commercial exploitation through the years. D’Lynn was one of them.
