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Executive Director's Address
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Dear Friends,
Home. What does it mean to you? A roof over your head? Community? Safety? For trafficking survivors, it can mean many things – and everything. For most, it means the difference between continued exploitation and abuse and the future they want and deserve. That’s why we created the Vida Home five years ago, and it has been transforming survivors' lives ever since.
The Vida Home filled a significant gap in survivor support services in the DMV. It was – and remains – the only 90-day safe house located in D.C. that is specifically designed for human trafficking survivors who identify as girls or women, ages 18 to 26. The fully furnished townhome has six beds and gives survivors access to warm meals, clothing, and other necessities, as well as specialized case management, safe transportation, and enrichment opportunities in the community based on individual needs and group interests. Vida Home Residents also have access to specialized programming at our confidential FAIR Girls Drop-In Center, including workshops and activities that focus on employment, mental health, art, and wellness.
Last year alone, we provided 35 survivors with safe and specialized emergency and transitional housing as they worked towards stabilizing their lives and began their healing process.
To mark the Vida Home’s 5th anniversary, celebrate its remarkable successes, and look towards the next five years of supporting trafficking survivors, we are hosting a fun rooftop cocktail event for partners and supporters like you this June. So please save the date for the evening of June 6 (more details below) and plan to join us to learn more about how you can help ensure that trafficking survivors will have this critical, life-saving housing resource available to them as they start their path towards healing from the darkness into the light.
With gratitude,
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Erin B. Andrews
Executive Director
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Celebrating 5 Years of Supporting Survivors
For additional information or sponsorship opportunities please contact FAIR Girls' Development Manager, Quincy Inman at qinman@fairgirls.org or call (202) 491-9773.
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Hear about Your Impact in Action
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"Jamilla" was first trafficked at the age of 21 where she was repeatedly and brutally raped in a massage parlor that was a front for human trafficking. Shortly thereafter, she was trafficked by her boyfriend whom she trusted to take care of her but forced her to commit an array of crimes on his behalf so she could take the fall if they got caught. This man that claimed to love her abused her physically, emotionally, sexually and financially as he controlled her completely. He even hit her with his car when she tried to escape.
When Jamilla was referred to FAIR Girls she had very little clothing or possessions, was concerned she might be pregnant, and feared for her life. FAIR Girls gave her comprehensive and holistic support, providing safe housing in our Vida Home, transportation, food, clothing and more. Her case manager connected her to professional legal support services and accompanied her to all of her court hearings to advocate on her behalf. Even though Jamilla has found the courage to leave her trafficker, find safe housing, actively engage in case management services to address her victimization with FAIR girls, and disclose to the prosecutor and the Court that she had been a victim at the time she was forced to commit the crimes at issue, the criminal justice system continues to fail her. FAIR Girls has been there for her every step of the way and will continue to do so. Now, Jamilla and her case manager are focused on securing her a job and the emotional support she needs when she feels overwhelmed, afraid or triggered. Sustainable employment will be difficult to find due to her unjust convictions, but Jamilla knows she is supported every day and is committed to building a better life for herself, one step at a time.
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Advocates Helping Advocates:
Support the HOPE Court Program
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In February 2018, FAIR Girls worked closely with the Superior Court for the District of Columbia to launch a court-based treatment program called HOPE Court. HOPE stands for “Here Opportunities Prepare you for Excellence.” HOPE Court, is an innovative program that brings social services directly into the court process to offer youth therapy and engaging life skills, instead of detention. The HOPE Court program amplifies the voice of the youth, providing invaluable insight regarding the youth’s goals, needs, and challenges. FAIR Girls is one of only two non-governmental specialized anti-trafficking community service providers that participates in HOPE Court providing advocacy and case management. Unfortunately, our participation is unfunded.
Law firms are uniquely positioned to help FAIR Girls continue to participate in HOPE Court by way of tax exempt sponsorship. Lawyers understand better than anyone the importance of an advocate. Will you help FAIR Girls provide survivors with an advocate – one who understands their needs and circumstances and gives them the space to create positive outcomes for their future?
To request additional information about the HOPE Court Law Firm Challenge, please click the button below:
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Partnership Spotlight:
Williams & Connolly LLP
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On behalf of the courageous survivors of human trafficking that FAIR Girls serves, we would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to Williams & Connolly LLP who hosted for the second year a firm wide “Denim Day” fundraiser to benefit FAIR Girls during January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month! This generous and creative fundraising opportunity provided attorneys and staff, in exchange for getting to wear jeans to work, an opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of the survivors we serve by raising vital funds that enable FAIR Girls to provide safe transitional housing and specialized direct services, including case management and advocacy, to young girls and woman survivors of human trafficking, as well as, prevention education and policy advocacy to combat human trafficking in our communities.
To learn more about Williams & Connolly LLP, visit https://www.wc.com/Firm
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Help Support Survivors:
Become a Corporate Partner
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Corporate partnerships are invaluable to FAIR Girls in supporting the costs of operating our critical life-saving programs and strengthening our ability to create brighter outcomes for victims of human trafficking. We will work closely with your business on how best to highlight and share your company’s commitment to our mission and services for trafficking survivors. If your firm or company is interested in hosting an event, such as Denim Day to benefit FAIR Girls (maybe in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month in April!), please email FAIR Girls Development Manager, Quincy Inman who would be happy to provide you with additional information by clicking the button below.
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