June Newsletter
May Shows Increase in Male Survivor Outreach
Trafficking does not discriminate based on gender, and in May, we saw a record number of males seeking support services. According to the Department of Justice, an estimated 33% of survivors in the United States are male, and 12% of the last 40 survivors we placed were male. We're honored to be able to provide quality services tailored to this population, and are grateful for each partner organization that has taken them in and started their journey to healing through restorative, holistic care.
"I have been searching for help for over 4 years.? Every time I reach out, I am just given a list of numbers to call.? I would call all of them and rarely reach someone that actually cared.? I am so grateful to have found Safe House Project.? You didn't give up on me."
(Survivor)
Thank You to Our Community Partners
Charitable Foundation Grant
We received a $5,000 grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, which will allow us to continue serving survivors through our emergency support program.?
Torched Leaf Cigar and Bourbon Night?
Thank you to the Torched Leaf for hosting their first annual Cigar and Bourbon Night, during which they raised over $10,000 to support survivors of child trafficking!
SHP Team Updates
Emory Students Triumph at Goizueta IMPACT Showcase Day
A talented team of MBA students from Emory University's Goizueta Business School partnered with Safe House Project and emerged victorious at The Goizueta IMPACT Showcase. They crafted an innovative and comprehensive marketing strategy for Safe House Project aimed at engaging Gen Z in the fight against trafficking, successfully breaking stereotypes and pushing boundaries.
Showcase Day provides a stage for MBA students at Emory University's Goizueta Business School to present their final recommendations from semester-long client projects. This event highlights the culmination of their hard work and innovative thinking, showcasing their ability to tackle real-world challenges. We're grateful to have been a part of this amazing initiative and can't wait to put their recommendations to use!
Training the Community
Safe House Project joined Meg Kelsey, Center of Global Justice, and O'livia Reposa, Survivor Ventures, for a panel discussion with residents of Westminster-Canterbury Senior Living in Virginia Beach, VA. The speakers gathered on the Penthouse floor for an enlightening session on sextortion, familial trafficking, online predators, and the legal barriers survivors face after escaping exploitation. The attendees were highly engaged and were excited to share this vital information with their children and grandchildren.
Law Enforcement Training
COO Brittany Dunn and her training partner, Bill Woolf, were honored to equip 15 Virginia-based law enforcement agencies on a victim-centered approach to investigations, the signs and indicators in different venues, the effects of trauma, and how we can bring a collective impact approach to eradicating this criminal enterprise.
As one attendee thoughtfully shared, "This was PHENOMENAL training! I'm so very thankful for the work you guys are doing! Thank you for the opportunity, experience, and training."
Thank you to New Creations VA, the Virginia Office of the Attorney General, Homeland Security Investigations, Virginia State Police, and the local law enforcement agencies for making time for this critical conversation.
Certification?
So far in 2024, we have programs in 10 states that will be evaluated through our Certification program. Ten programs have already been certified, with 22 in the pipeline to be certified by the end of the year. Is your program ready to go through the certification process? Email Liberty today ([email protected]).?
Safe House Project 2024 Grant Cycle Closes This Month
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Important Dates:
Grants are up to $50k and are intended for programs serving survivors in residential or other housing solutions who are either:
1) Increasing capacity through opening a new program or expanding a current one, or
2) Addressing a barrier within their currently operating program that would allow for a previously disqualified demographic of survivors to achieve placement.
Register for our Upcoming Webinars
Stopping It Before It Starts: Why There Is Not Prevention Curricula in Every Youth Program Across America
Wednesday, June 12 | 3:00 p.m. EST
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The "Stopping It Before It Starts: Why Is There Not Prevention Curricula in Every Youth Program Across America" webinar delves into the critical gap in our nation's approach to combating human trafficking by the absence of prevention education in youth programs. This engaging session will explore the multifaceted reasons behind the lack of a universal presence of prevention curricula across youth initiatives in the United States. Participants will be invited to examine the structural, societal, and policy-related barriers that hinder the implementation of these essential educational programs. Through a blend of expert insights, policy analysis, and real-world examples, the webinar will illuminate the pivotal role that prevention education can play in safeguarding our youth from the dangers of human trafficking.?
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Moderated by Bill Woolf, our panelists include Erin Fisher, Tonya Turner, and Amelia Stansell.
Empowering Trauma-Informed Faith-Based Work
Friday, June 28 | 12:00 p.m. EST
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Join us for an enlightening webinar on conducting trauma-informed, faith-based work in the anti-trafficking field. Organizations and individual volunteers will discover how to serve with excellence, dignity, and respect while honoring the diverse backgrounds of the survivors we support. Attendees will learn to integrate faith in a way that empowers rather than excludes. The insights presented will help ensure organizational missions are guided by love and compassion, creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your approach and make a profound difference.
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Moderated by Alia Azariah, our panelists include Deanna Lynn, Hillary Cobb, and Kristi Wells.?
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars! Don't miss an opportunity to engage this year. Together, we can turn our awareness into action.