Imagine being alone in a small apartment in a small town.

You don’t know anybody, and your family is miles away grappling with their own challenges. What do you do?

For Patty* the answer is creating jewelry.

Bracelets, necklaces, earrings. Beautiful things on bead and glass that shimmer in the light. But they aren’t for her. They’re for her teen daughter Nessie.

Both mother and daughter are survivors of sex trafficking.

Patty’s experiences and trauma ripped her from her family. Nessie’s experiences and trauma caused her to develop dangerous coping behaviors that sent her to juvenile detention.

Miles and miles separate Patty and Nessie.

Nessie is in the city. But Patty’s safe home is tucked away in what seems like the middle of nowhere – with nothing to do, nowhere to go, and no one familiar. Refusing to give up hope and determined to overcome her trauma, Patty discovered a way to stay connected to her distant daughter: jewelry making.

Her racing thoughts dissipate and organize as Patty strings together silver wire and feathers, smooth stones, and glass beads.

Her painful memories of trauma fade, her hands work nimbly, her breathing steadies –

all as she imagines the moment when she can see her daughter again.

UAHT’s new Art of Life  class is for survivors just like Patty.

Creativity allows the mind to process thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a way that traditional therapy often cannot accomplish.

With support from wonderful volunteers and donors like YOU, clients explore their artistic side through collages, painting, journaling, figure drawing, and much more – holistically healing their mind and soul. Art of Life provides a place to be “safely vulnerable, a place like few others,” as one survivor participant so eloquently put it.

Write freedom in the lives of human trafficking survivors by giving a gift today and fuel life-saving programs like the Art of Life.

Nessie earnestly anticipates packages from her mother while working through her own trauma.

She wears Patty’s handmade jewelry as a reminder of their unwavering love. Still, shipping the occasional gift to Nessie isn’t enough.

Patty longs to embrace her daughter again, no matter what.

That’s why people like you are so important! When you give a gift, you help prepare survivors like Patty for their reunion with the ones they care about most.

Patty escaped her trafficking situation a few months before she started working with UAHT. She met Case Manager Erin through one of our clients. The established client was so confident in the program that she felt comfortable recommending UAHT to a fellow survivor.

When you give a gift to UAHT, you help prepare survivors to reunite with their loved ones.

Despite being free from her trafficker, Natalia struggled to stay safe while waiting for her apartment application to be approved. Her brain insisted she wait for the apartment, but her heart slammed against her chest and her stomach felt like a wrung-out rag. An uncertain future made her feel stuck with no other choice but to return to the person who once met her needs: her trafficker.

Back in the Life of sex trafficking, Natalia was arrested for soliciting. 

But when the Judge and District Attorney learned that Natalia is currently receiving care from our Case Manager Erin, they released her from jail. 

And, as of October, Natalia qualified for an apartment and moved in! 

Natalia is only one of many individuals currently receiving care in our case management program. Dozens of survivors are finding safe housing, attending support groups, and starting new jobs thanks to Erin’s support, encouragement, and care. 

Healing from trauma and starting life over again are not easy tasks. It’s so tough, in fact, that most survivors return to the Life many times before breaking free for good. 

What makes the difference between getting stuck in a cycle of exploitation versus breaking free? A support system. 

“[My clients] know what they need, they know what they want, and they know how to do it. They just need encouragement to get there,” Erin reflected. 

That’s why having a trained Case Manager is a gamechanger for survivors on their journey to reclaim their lives.

Erin calls her clients frequently to check in and make sure they have everything they need. If they don’t, she ensures they get it. She picks up groceries for them and helps complete police reports. She tells her clients she’s proud of their progress and reminds them to be proud of themselves, too. 

And YOU, our amazing supporters, make it possible for over 30 clients to have Erin as a partner and guide through their complex, daunting journeys. 

Because of you, Natalia is out of jail, healing, and forging a free future. THANK YOU!