Employ + Empower Program Achieves Major Milestone With Over $1 Million in Wages Earned in First 90 days of Employment for Human Trafficking Survivors and High-Risk Clients

3Strands clients are enjoying a life free from exploitation and job retention is above 75%.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3Strands Global Foundation (3SGF), a nonprofit with a mission to mobilize communities to combat human trafficking through prevention education and reintegration programs, today announced an incredible milestone in the life of their Employ + Empower program. The program that has served over 700 survivors and at-risk individuals in Sacramento and San Francisco has surpassed $1million in wages earned by these clients in their first 90 days of employment.

The Employ + Empower Program (E&E) supports and economically empowers individuals through intensive case management, connecting survivors of human trafficking and those at high risk of exploitation to resources they need to succeed in the workforce. These resources include transportation, professional clothing, job application assistance, childcare, mental health services and more. A key aspect of the program is that it provides career readiness support and places survivors into jobs or education programs to increase their economic stability.

E+E has served over 778 clients since its inception and has placed 413 clients in jobs or education programs, with a 75% retention rate. “This incredible milestone comes at a perfect time having just recognized Human Trafficking Awareness month. It is a great moment to celebrate our clients’ hard work and perseverance. Many of the people we serve are completely off employers’ radar which means the capacity and resilience they can bring to a job is also unrecognized. This milestone shows that those we serve are beyond capable, and are thriving in roles that provide them with a living wage, propelling them to self-sufficiency and economic stability. Ultimately this reduces the chance of (re-) exploitation,” said Kaitlyn DiCicco VP of Survivor Services.

A survivor and graduate of the Employ + Empower program shared that she was not surprised by this major milestone and thrilled that survivors were getting the support they need to experience a life free of exploitation. She went on to say that the program is different from other employment programs she had participated in before. “I know that as long as I am doing my part and showing up — I can’t fail with 3Strands and the E+E program. They actually care about me and want me to succeed. They don’t pressure me to make progress but rather just make me feel understood and cared for and that alone makes me want to be better and do better. The biggest thing is that with [3Strands and E+E] we feel safe. Survivors trust 3Strands. We know 3Strands is fighting for survivors. Survivors are safe at 3Strands.”

3Strands Global Foundation began the Employ + Empower program in 2016 when there was an obvious gap in the services provided to survivors and at-risk individuals. As the program has developed, it has become a much-needed resource within the greater Sacramento community and continues to grow year-over-year. Since 2018, the number of case management services provided (i.e mental health services, support with transportation, clothing, job readiness support, etc.) to clients has increased 2,240% which translates into 4,221 total services provided. In 2022 alone, our dedicated case managers interacted over 4,600 times with their clients via virtual and in-person meetings, phone calls, and text messages, which was a 58% increase since 2020.

Aaron Boyce, Executive Director of Florin Square Community Development Corporation, and a 3SGF E+E Program employment partner shared, “I would like to applaud 3Strands for all the young people in need who have been helped through the efforts of their programs. However, it takes more than a program; you need a capable and caring staff to implement it. Congratulations 3Strands for bringing our community your best!”

About 3Strands Global Foundation

3Strands Global Foundation is a global leader in human trafficking prevention, combating human trafficking through education, employment, and engagement. The programs extend across primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. 3Strands has educated over 750,000 school students and trained over 100,000 school staff members on human trafficking and exploitation through the PROTECT program and has served more than 700 individuals through the direct services survivor Employ + Empower program, generating more than $1million in earned wages through sustainable jobs. The staff at 3SGF believes prevention changes everything and has mobilized over 100,000 people through engagement efforts.