Addressing Gaps in Services for Human Trafficking Victims in New Mexico

The New Mexico Dream Center of Albuquerque (NMDC) will implement the Addressing Gaps in Services for Human Trafficking Victims in New Mexico project. The purpose is to mitigate service gaps, housing gaps, and labor trafficking gaps, as well as remove barriers to access and opportunity for communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality. Project activities include; 1.) expanding and strengthening NMDC's trauma-informed and victim-centered service program to more comprehensively serve victims from historically underserved and marginalized communities; provide outreach and services appropriate for labor trafficking victims; 2.) developing a Continuum of Care model for housing victims of labor and sex trafficking which includes emergency shelter, supported group transitional housing, supported independent or semi-independent transitional housing, and housing vouchers; and 3.) developing a human trafficking awareness network that includes community stakeholders that represent historically underserved and marginalized communities, and utilizes training opportunities, awareness activities, and direct outreach to perceived victims of labor trafficking and youth experiencing homelessness who may be exploited as labor or sex trafficking victims. Expected outcomes include: 1.) a collaborative network that addresses the housing and service needs of human trafficking victims; 2.) effective provision of trauma informed, victim centered, culturally humble and evidence-based services; 3.) provision of services for labor trafficking victims; 4.) reduction in human trafficking victims losing their housing; and 5.) regular program evaluation and assessments. Labor and sex trafficking victims are the intended beneficiaries of the project.