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It's hard to believe it's already April! Over the last three months, we've served survivors of trafficking in Asia, Austin, and Uganda. We've supported women through severe winter storms, addiction recovery, escape planning to get away from their abuser, challenges in their jobs, mental health crises, and more.
We've collaborated with businesses, governments, lawyers, medical professionals, and other non-profits to provide complex coordinated care and/or referrals for every single survivor who has reached out to us.
Here's what we've been up to this first quarter:
We know that the recent stimulus check is much-needed support for many. If you have some buffer, here's what it could do for a survivor of trafficking:
100% ($1400): A plane ticket to FREEDOM
50% ($700): One month shelter & counseling
25% ($350): Business training for 10 women
10% ($140): Basic emergency medical care
STAFF RETREAT
A few weeks ago our US staff was able to gather together for our annual staff retreat. After a year of isolation, transitions, and struggle, it was so encouraging to be together to process the last year and dream for the future. We worked to define our three to five-year goals, map out our annual plan, identify gaps and training needs, and discuss what "success" truly means.
Here are some of the highlights. In 3-5 years, we plan to:
Develop an extensive partner list and volunteer network so that we can meet EVERY need of EVERY survivor who comes to us for help either "in-house" or through referral
Develop international partners in 4 new countries to address prevention, intervention, and restoration around the nexus of trafficking in Asia (currently working in 5 countries).
Create a stabilization & community center for survivors in Austin so they have a place to connect with multiple organizations, receive comprehensive services & referrals, and meet other survivors.
Support our first social enterprise launch to achieve profitability and be 100% locally-led so it can provide fully sustainable and scalable employment for at-risk and previously exploited women.
Success is:
"Every night a woman is in our shelter/programs is a night that she isn't selling her body to survive."
"Every loving touchpoint with integrity and respect is a victory in showing survivors what healthy relationships and boundaries can be."
"Women having the freedom and space to make informed decisions (even if we disagree with those decisions) is something to celebrate as this is a new freedom for so many survivors."
"We love celebrating both the big and small victories of a woman's journey. Whether she's leaving the sex industry or an abusive relationship... or she's making a decision to start counseling or get a job-- these are beautiful steps along her journey to Freedom, Hope, and Restoration."
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US AS WE WALK ALONGSIDE SURVIVORS TODAY AND WORK TO SUPPORT HUNDREDS MORE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE. Together for Freedom,
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