The Resilience Fund
Financial assistance for Human Trafficking Survivors
Our Resilience Fund offers direct cash assistance to survivors of human trafficking. to fill the gaps between traditional resources. In doing so, The Resilience Fund gives survivors back exactly what their traffickers stole from them – control over their own lives. Along with this direct cash assistance. We are building referral pathways for survivors to access specific services to reduce the impact of the five core systemic barriers to their financial security. This kind of trust-based model has been proven in numerous contexts to be an effective tool for strengthening individuals’ financial security and, in doing so, contributing to stronger communities where fewer people are vulnerable to trafficking.
Why Was the Fund Launched?
Far, far too many survivors of human trafficking are just barely hanging on financially. We learned this from the National Survivor Study, which asked nearly 500 people with lived experience of human trafficking how they are doing now that they are out. The answer, unfortunately, is that many are living paycheck to paycheck. Survivors often work multiple jobs just to meet their basic needs. They are struggling in so many ways that time and money to process their trauma, or go to school at night, or to finally be able to move their kids to a safe neighborhood, seems like a faraway dream. They are still, in very real ways, living in the trap created by systems and exacerbated by their traffickers.
Core Systems Barriers that Prevent Survivors from Reaching and Maintaining Stability
- Access to quality mental and behavioral health resources.
- Representation for criminal record relief, family law, and other legal matters.
- Relief from debt bondage through credit repair.
- Financial inclusion.
- Formation and maintenance of a robust social support network.
What Does it Mean for a Survivor to Economically Thrive?
A survivor of human trafficking who is economically thriving is a person who is securely rooted in their community; with sufficient material resources to be able to be in the present without grief, fear, or restraint from the past; and who has what they need to pursue their goals for the future. Economically thriving is having the freedom of unconstrained choices, and possessing the capacity to dream.
The Advisory Council Representatives
The diversity of lived experiences of survivors of trafficking requires diverse representation in expert consultants for The Resilience Fund’s design and delivery. The inaugural Advisory Council for The Fund is composed of leaders from survivor-led organizations who have been recognized within lived experience communities as trustworthy and committed advocates to the centering of impacted communities in the development of new initiatives. Centering survivor-led organizations is just one example of the commitment to a thoughtful trust model that prioritizes survivor leadership within the Fund’s DNA.
Goals for the Resilience Fund
The Resilience Fund is the first direct cash assistance program is specifically for survivors of human trafficking, it opens the door to additional basic income initiatives to give survivors time to heal and adapt to their new environment without the risk of being vulnerable.
The Resilience Fund has the potential to improve the lives of survivors and their families by helping them break the cycle of exploitation; allowing time for healing; and providing pathways to resources that reduce barriers to achieving their personal and professional goals.
Reduce human trafficking by creating a consistent source of economic stability for survivors while amplifying stories of empowerment and transformation to inspire other survivors and the human trafficking field to think bigger than current narratives around rescue and deservedness.
Create a long-term, sustainably funded direct cash assistance program to reduce human trafficking by strengthening individuals, families, and impacted communities and reducing vulnerabilities such as poverty – before a trafficker presents themselves as the best option.
Resilience Fund Applications
The Resilience Fund’s Advisory Council is currently designing the application and selection process for the second cohort, with a focus on eliminating bias and prioritizing individuals who have experienced the most systemic barriers.
In 2023, The Resilience Fund successfully onboarded its inaugural cohort of 24 recipients, nominated by the Advisory Council. These individuals have begun receiving up to $500 per month and will continue to do so through March 2025.
In 2024, The Resilience Fund aims to provide up to $800 per month for up to 18 months any rescued victim which will be enough to support for reintegration process into the society. We anticipate a new badge of 7000 new rescued victims by the end of 2024.