by Jenny Macahon | Jan 17, 2019 | News Room
Because of your support, 2018 was a breakout year full of courage and changes! We engaged with nearly 23,000 individuals and during our first full year in providing direct services, weconnected 81 victims to care. We also trained over 12,000 parents, police officers, social service providers, and others on how to recognize and stop trafficking. Additionally, 6,113 children and teens were equipped to stay safe from exploitation!
We also moved office locations to the Gulfton area, allowing us to integrate into a diverse community. Plus, we hired seven new team members!
All this success could not have been accomplished without our generous supporters and the expansion of our board. Their expertise and dedication to this organization gave us the courage to embrace the past year of transformational change.
But the triumphs of 2018 are just the beginnings of our vision realized. As we move forward, we see every day as an opportunity. We are passionate about innovation, building partnerships, and to truly uniting everyone in the fight to end human trafficking. Yet, there are still challenges we face.
As a movement, our commitment is to rescue those caught in human trafficking. But how can we effectively rescue a person from exploitation? We believe it starts with collaboration and communication. This year, we are excited to create a centralized database for the anti-trafficking movement here in Houston. The first of it’s kind in the city, this database will centralize data and allow multiple service providers to track and access resources for survivors of trafficking, creating clear path to long-term freedom and healing.
Our goal is to build strong programs and supportive services through a steady and strategic approach. We’ve patiently, courageously and kindly nurtured the their growth. Now, entering this new year, we recognize our readiness to grow into our full potential. As a team, we hire and train staff to cultivate their abilities of providing Houston with the best initiatives to combat human trafficking, while tirelessly working to empower the men, women, and youth in our programs.
Our hope is that you can join us in embracing the fight to end human trafficking on all levels. Not only sex or labor trafficking, but a full commitment to combating every element of exploitation with dedication and relentless hope. Similarly, as we have empowered ourselves and our program participants, our desire is that you would empower yourself to fight human trafficking in Houston. Just as we have realized there is no limit to what we can accomplish, we believe in your limitless potential to unite your community, mobilize your resources, and fight alongside us as we pursue freedom in our cities, in our homes, and in our neighborhoods.
2019 is going to be our most powerful year yet, and we’re glad to have you at our side.
For Freedom,
Timeka Walker, LMSW
Executive Director
by Jenny Macahon | Dec 30, 2018 | News Room
“That’s what happened to me,” Jackie stated confidently in front of her peers. While I receive disclosures of human trafficking frequently, this one caught me off guard. (more…)
by Jenny Macahon | Dec 6, 2018 | News Room
By age 16, Mya was familiar with life on the streets. She was pimped out for sex and forced into young motherhood. Shuffled between multiple foster homes, she finally ran away. Bounced around from facility to facility, program to program, her rough exterior made it difficult for people to see her story. She was a child trafficked for sex, a victim labeled as problem. (more…)
by Jenny Macahon | Nov 15, 2018 | News Room
When we talk about protecting our children and teenagers from human trafficking, what do you think is most important? Is it about teaching our kids the behaviors of traffickers? Or maybe it’s providing the right safety tips for social media? We spoke with our newest Youth Specialist, Au’Vonnie Alexander, to find out what it takes to train kids to stay safe from traffickers and how you can help! (more…)
by Jenny Macahon | Oct 15, 2018 | News Room
Two years ago, UAHT set out to increase the identification of exploited men, women, and children in Houston. We expanded our services from professional education and community awareness to include outreach and supportive programming. We were excited, eager, and ready to broaden our reach in the community. There was such temptation to dive in and do anything and everything we believed survivors needed.
(more…)
by Jenny Macahon | Sep 13, 2018 | News Room
When life kicks someone down, often traffickers swoop in, masking exploitation with kindness. They are the first-responders, grasping easy prey to make money for their own gain. Soon after, victims want to break free – yet how?
Many times, they are unaware of avenues for help, or are so mentally exhausted they simply don’t have any hope that life can be different. Because their chains aren’t visible, they often go overlooked. Exploitation is so ingrained in our society that it becomes difficult to recognize.
But now you know. You want to act, make a difference. What are tangible steps you can take?
1. Educate Yourself, Your Family, and Your friends
Social determinants such as homelessness, poverty, and abuse are breeding grounds for human trafficking. These vulnerabilities funnel kids, men, and women into labor and sex trafficking.
Learn the signs and risk factors that enable trafficking, so you can spot and report it. Our Human Trafficking 101 is a great start!
2. Believe in Your Individual Impact
1-888-373-788 is the National Human Trafficking Hotline number. Save this number in your phone – and more importantly, call to report a tip. Making a call doesn’t feel as satisfying as watching Liam Neeson single-handedly rescue his daughter from a European trafficking ring – but this call is still crucial to making a difference. Simple changes can also include buying fair trade, talking to the workers at a nail salon, or handing out a workers’ rights guide to a day-laborer.
These are all necessary steps we need every community member to take. Underestimating your individual impact will make the difference in creating freedom, or perpetuating enslavement. Find out how to volunteer with UAHT.
3. Fund Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts
You fund anti-human trafficking efforts; you break the cycle of slavery permeating our city. When you support UAHT, children and teenagers learn how to stay safe from predators, and victims are shown the path to freedom. Everyday we provide critical resources to the children, men, and women left exposed on the streets. Our work in the jail system allows us to reach a unique and under-resourced group. We equip professionals, overwhelmed with their responsibilities, to combat human trafficking effectively and efficiently.
Every moment we are actively fighting for the victims of this horrific crime. Each day we progress towards our goal of ending human trafficking. By giving today at $15 or more monthly, you bring hope and freedom to Houston. Will you join us?
