MARISSA MARTIN: As a result of the anti-trafficking funds from OVC, RIA, Inc. of Massachusetts …
CHANTHA CARTER: … have been able to double the amount of participants served …
RACHEL EWING: … through increasing hours of direct service provided by our survivor professional mentors and therapists.
JAVIER ACEVEDO: We've been able to support survivors with much-needed resources, such as emergency housing, lodging, groceries, transportation, as well as in so many other capacities. Here at WRATP, survivors can access these services at any point in their lives, regardless of their immigration status.
NOEL ROBERTS: We’ve conducted research over the last 16 years which really has helped us change our practices and policies on our approach to victims of human trafficking.
AMY NACE-DeGONDA: We have provided specialized training on human trafficking for over 4,000 individuals, responded to over 800 technical assistance requests, and collaborated with more than 25 partners to provide referrals.
MARLENA KING: LOVE146 has been able to develop an employment and education program focused on helping survivors achieve economic independence.
KATHRYN FORD: We have created a first-of-its-kind collection of interactive, empowering, and educational materials to support young survivors of human trafficking nationwide.
JENNIFER GENTILE LONG: We have developed and driven survivor-centered and trauma-informed practices, and we’ve done it in a way that can be measured so we know the impact of what we do. Through OVC’s support, we are able to work closely with prosecutors to minimize harm to human trafficking survivors and achieve meaningful justice.
EMILY DUNLAP: This funding has given us the capacity to educate and work with these partners in identifying the special and unique needs presented by immigrant survivor populations.
KATIE SHAVER: We created the “Understanding Human Trafficking” online training, a series of five interactive online modules that offer foundational learning on trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches to human trafficking.
BILL BERNSTEIN: In 2003, we received one of the first grants from the Office for Victims of Crime, enabling us to do what was really needed to make our services available to people who have been trafficked.
DANIKA HOISTION: We provided therapy and case management for many teenage clients who otherwise would not have funding.
BRANDIE RADDADI: We helped a participant reach a lifelong dream to enroll into a high school completion program after trafficking took her out of the school at a young age. We advocated on-site with culturally and linguistically specific services for a vulnerable labor trafficking survivor who was being mistreated at his current workplace.
SANDRA FRAZIER: We’ve reached out to organizations to assist with dental and vision care for victims, which is often neglected for many years.
PATRICK VANIER: We have seen an immediate culture shift within the law enforcement community after receiving the OVC grant, with an emphasis on collaboration with our victim service providers as well as a focus on proactive investigations.
MARY ATLAS-TERRY: I will never forget a listening session where the OVC director received a standing ovation, because OVC was at the forefront in ensuring that vacatur and expungement services were made available through the DOJ grants.
KRISTIN WESCHLER: Many congregated shelters had to limit the number of individuals they could house to comply with federal COVID regulations and, therefore, reducing housing options for human trafficking survivors. The OVC human trafficking housing solicitation emphasizes a rapid rehousing model whereby survivors moved straight into transitional housing or their own rental unit, forgoing any need for emergency shelter.
KAY BUCK: We were able to provide so many survivors and their families with services. You helped us, with seed money, open the very first shelter for trafficked women.
MARIA BUSCH: Ohio created an interactive web-based training on implementing Ohio’s human trafficking screening tool for children and youth to increase statewide screening for human trafficking concerns. We also funded two juvenile courts to increase utilization of Ohio’s Safe Harbor legal protections for minors.
KAREN MARTINEZ: As a result of the anti-trafficking funds from OVC, in the last year alone, we have been able to serve over 240 clients with wraparound services.
SAMRA MEHMEDOVIC: We increased the community capacity to serve the victims of human trafficking, reaching 2,223 community members through 30 human trafficking presentations.
DEBBIE LASSITER: We have been able to help over 406 women with a lot of emergency needs. What we do is we help people recover from trauma. What OVC does is they provide the funding to help us do that.
MARLENA KING: Happy anniversary, OVC.
ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF UTAH: Happy anniversary, OVC.
SANDRA FRAZIER: Happy anniversary, OVC.
