The Freedom Plan

SEPA Mujer, Inc, a Latina immigrant rights community-based organization located in Suffolk County, New York proposes to implement The Freedom Plan, a program with an emphasis is on helping Latina immigrant victims of Labor Trafficking who reside in Suffolk County. Through The Freedom Plan, SEPA Mujer will strengthen its ability to serve Latina immigrant victims of Labor Trafficking through: 1) trauma- informed training of direct service and community outreach staff, and volunteers regarding all forms of human trafficking; 2) identification of best practice outreach strategies that will help identify human trafficking victims; 3) development of trauma-informed outreach and service plans; and 4) familiarization with the requirements of the Federal government in working with trafficking of humans. SEPA Mujer will receive Technical Assistance and Training from sub-contractor Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center, Suffolk’s provider of the Safe Harbour: Human Trafficking program for minors.   

The Freedom Plan will also provide education and outreach about the vulnerability of Latina immigrants in Suffolk County to labor trafficking to both community organizations and the general public with the goals of: 1) identifying victims and safely and warmly connecting them to services; 2) providing immediate assistance accessing safety and emergency housing, and skills that will enhance victims’ ability to live independently such as workplace skill development and financial literacy training; and 3) utilizing a culturally adapted counseling, Knitting Our Stories, to decrease isolation of victims of labor trafficking and promote emotional healing. Project deliverables include: provide training for community organizations to ensure Latina immigrant trafficking victims are properly identified and referred to safe, trauma-informed services; provide services, including counseling, and workplace and financial literacy training, to meet the individualized needs of 100 victims of human trafficking; provide referrals to other essential services for 100 victims of human trafficking; conduct data collection/evaluation activities required by the Office for Victims of Crime;  and provide assistance for clients in complying with reasonable requests from Suffolk County Police Department and other legal entities in trafficking investigation and prosecutions while supporting victims’ rights to self-determination.