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About Us
Our Purpose
Thriving in Freedom assists survivors of human trafficking along their journey to lead self-sufficient lives by providing mentoring and financial assistance to attain their goals and achieve independence.
Thriving in Freedom also supports programs that work to decrease the demand for sex workers by educating buyers and the public about the connection between human trafficking and prostitution. Without the demand for sex workers, human trafficking would not be one of the top 3 criminal enterprises in the world along with drugs and illegal arms.
A Worthy Cause
Survivors of human trafficking are incredibly courageous, resilient, strong and capable individuals. The PTSD faced from the complex trauma they experienced has been likened to the PTSD resulting from active duty combat experience in war. After gaining their freedom, navigating the road to healing, recovery and self sufficiency can be extremely challenging.
Oftentimes, services are accessible to survivors when they initially disconnect from their trafficker, but those services disappear the longer they are out. Many struggle to achieve career goals because they are working multiple jobs and raising their children all while the impact of their trauma looms over them. Support from family is rare since it is likely that dysfunctional or nonexistent families led them to their trafficking nightmares in the first place.
Whether they need support for their daily needs so they can work fewer hours and get through school quicker; or they need funds to cover the cost of trade school or extra support to get through college; or they need help getting into their first apartment where they can live independently, Thriving in Freedom comes alongside them and helps survivors reach their goals to self sufficiency.
The Source of the Pain
While assisting survivors is our top priority, human trafficking wouldn’t exist without the demand for sex workers. If the demand for sex workers was not there, traffickers would not be able to lead their lucrative lives. If people weren’t willing to pay for sex, traffickers would not have a “product” to sell and their “careers” would cease.
Many believe that “prostitutes” are willing participants, looking for a way to support their lives. However, the vast majority are victims, unable to keep the money they earn, unable to control their lives, and under the control of a trafficker who dictates their every move.
Traffickers often set a nightly quota for their victims. If the quota isn’t met, they face punishment. It may be a beating or they can’t see their child or they are deprived of food or they have to sleep in an ice bath. Victims play the part of the willing participant in order to survive.
Our Inspiration
Thriving in Freedom was born out of our experience in a church ministry that focuses on serving survivors and spreading awareness. The more time we spent with the women we served, the more we realized the challenges they face as they reintegrate into society and support their families.
While the ministry is able to do God’s work by coming alongside survivors when they need a listening ear and helping to build their faith in a God who loves them unconditionally, there are limits to the financial support we are able to give. Thriving in Freedom is able to meet the needs of survivors in a different way, as they navigate their journeys to self sufficiency.