Virginia Beach Justice Initiative

FREEKIND IS ON A MISSION TO PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORT SURVIVORS ON THEIR JOURNEY TO FREEDOM.

SURVIOR SUPPORT -VOLUNTEER SURVIVOR ADVOCATE TRAINING: USING A PROPRIETARY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY CURRICULUM, WE EQUIP VOLUNTEERS TO ACT AS A RESOURCE, COACH AND FRIEND TO THE CLIENTS WE SERVE. -JAIL PROGRAMMING: USING A PROPRIETARY CURRICULUM, WE PROVIDE PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL CLASSES TO INMATES, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, TEACHING THEM ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HEALTHY BOUNDARIES AND RELATIONSHIPS AND THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA ON THE HUMAN BODY. IT IS IN THESE CLASSES, WHERE MANY REALIZE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED. IDENTIFICATION IS THE FIRST STEP IN THEIR JOURNEY TO HEALING. -CASE MANAGEMENT: WE EMPLOY CASE MANAGERS WHO, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR TRAINED VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES & COMMUNITY PARTNERS, HELP TO MEET THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF LOCAL SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. THIS INCLUDES PROVISION OF BASIC NEEDS (FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER), COURT ADVOCACY FOR ALTERNATIVE SENTENCING, MATCHING & TRANSPORTATION TO LONG-TERM TREATMENT PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORT WITH PERMANENT HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT. -MENTAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: IN ADDITION TO OUR VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES AND CASE MANAGERS, WE CONTRACT WITH SELECTED LICENSED CLINICAL THERAPISTS IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE FREE OR SUBSIDIZED COUNSELING SERVICES THAT ADDRESS THE COMPLEX TRAUMA OUR CLIENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED. WITH THE SUPPORT OF GENEROUS DONORS AND THE DEDICATION OF MORE THAN 150 VOLUNTEERS, IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO: -IDENTIFY 76 NEW VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFICKING AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION -MATCHED & PROVIDED TRANPORT FOR 46 SURVIVORS WHO BEGAN LONG-TERM TREATMENT PROGRAMS (12-24 MOS) -CELEBRATED 28 WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE CALENDAR YEAR -PROVIDED 136 INSTANCES OF COURT ADVOCACY, WITH 99% FAVORABLE OUTCOMES -PROVIDED TANGIBLE SUPPORT FOR BASIC NEEDS & TRANSITIONAL CARE 1,085 TIMES

AWARENESS AND TRAINING -AWARENESS & TRAINING: WE REGULARLY SERVE AS SPEAKERS OR PANELISTS TO EDUCATE OTHER NON-PROFITS, BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, FAITH COMMUNITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING. WE ALSO PROVIDE MORE IN-DEPTH, INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TRAININGS FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND THOSE ALONG THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONTINUUM, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, PROBATION OFFICERS, JAIL PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS. -PREVENTION EDUCATION: WE OFFER OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS TO OUR NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CURRICULUM WITH THE GOAL OF EDUCATING AND PREVENTING THE NEXT GENERATION FROM BEING TRAFFICKED. WITH THE SUPPORT OF GENEROUS DONORS AND THE DEDICATION OF MORE THAN 150 VOLUNTEERS, IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO: -REACH NEARLY 8,000 YOUTH (11-17) IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WITH OUR PREVENTION PROJECT CURRICULUM -DELIVER 48 PRESENTATIONS AND INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TRAINING SESSIONS, REACHING MORE THAN 3,400 PEOPLE IN THE GREATER HAMPTON ROADS AND RICHMOND COMMUNITIES