Economic Empowerment, Education, and Employment Services for Human Trafficking Victims

Through this project, Restore NYC will provide economic empowerment services with wraparound support to survivors of labor and sex trafficking in New York City across the 36-month project period using a holistic, survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach. The goal of Restore’s Economic Empowerment program is to continue to provide innovative economic empowerment services, specifically workforce development and entrepreneurship services, including direct assistance to survivors to achieve economic stability and long-term independence. Wraparound and case management services will include shelter and rental assistance, healthcare assessment, medical care, counseling, childcare, legal services, and any other identified need. Additionally, the program will collaborate with a comprehensive portfolio of partners including NYC Business and Vocational partners, The Horticulture Society of NYC, MiCreate, Electric Beets, Emma’s Torch, SoHarlem, and Henry Street Settlement. Anticipated outcomes for this project include (1) survivors will drive Restore’s Economic Empowerment Program; (2) economic empowerment services will be survivor- informed and -led, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive to meet individualized needs; (3) community partners will be trained in anti-trafficking best practices; (4) assistance and referrals to other essential services will be provided; (5) data collection and participation in evaluation activities will be conducted to determine if the program is meeting stated goals and objectives; and (6) at program completion, survivors will achieve financial independence and maintain safe and stable jobs for at least 12 consecutive months. This project will also include enrolling economic empowerment clients in housing and counseling and providing referrals to physical-health, substance-abuse-treatment, and legal services. Additionally, Restore’s Impact and Evaluation Arm will ensure (1) the efficacy of Restore’s programming; (2) inclusion of survivor voices; and (3) implementing best practices within Restore and across the anti-trafficking field.