Dear Friend,
We hear this story far too often: a human trafficking survivor completes the first part of their recovery and then, after all that hard work and courage, they have so few options moving forward that they must return to the Life.
It’s frustrating. It’s tragic. And most of all, it’s preventable.
With your support, UAHT is launching a groundbreaking new program: housing for trafficking survivors.
Vanessa suffered trauma all her life: from childhood sexual violence to homelessness to substance abuse. This made her vulnerable to trafficker recruitment, and she eventually became trapped in sex trafficking.
Vanessa finally escaped and got help from a local victim services program. She is working tirelessly to process her experiences and prepare for a new life free from exploitation.
Vanessa will exit the program soon. She has a job ready and new tools for coping with trauma… but no place to stay.
Lack of housing stability can be a major reason why survivors stay in trafficking situations or fall back into them.
Because how do you leave if you have nowhere to go?
Just $35 can give a survivor of exploitation a session with a case manager who can help them find housing. And $150 can provide them with supplemental peer support groups to build their own network of care.
The clock was ticking for Vanessa. Luckily, she got into contact with UAHT before services ended. Our Program Manager, Anna, reached out to partnering agencies for help.
Vanessa will get rental and deposit assistance while she finds her footing in her new life.
Nobody should have to worry about not having a roof over their head at the end of the day. And nobody who worked so hard to forge a path to recovery should have to retrace their steps.
Your generosity has helped UAHT develop a program for people like Vanessa.
With this in mind, UAHT will launch our own housing program for survivors of human trafficking in early 2021.
ALL survivors deserve a bright future and a place to call their own. But not all of them get the chance. It is critical that Houston build up more housing programs to ensure survivors like Vanessa can access the support they need when they need it.
