Mission Statement:
Empower Her Network (EHN) collaborates with ready Survivors of human trafficking who find
themselves in the same vulnerable circumstance that led to their initial exploitation by
removing housing barriers, financing education, and uncovering employment opportunities.
Destination: intern's choice
Program Detail:
EHN’s innovative approach leans into existing services to eliminate overlapping resources while
putting each Survivor in the driver’s seat, often for the first time. It is true empowerment, with
therapeutic support and guidance.
In line with best practices for domestic violence Survivors and homeless persons, EHN supports
a permanent housing model and employment paths that focus on the individual’s unique needs
and plans. EHN’s model removes barriers that would be impossible or take years for a Survivor
to surmount without support.
Process:
- Partner program submits a nomination to the local EHN Advocate detailing readiness and goals surrounding housing, education, and employment
- Over 4 to 8 weeks, the Advocate fosters a relationship with the Survivor directly, establishing the importance of reliability and accountability
- When ready, the Survivor and Advocate sign an Empowerment Plan with a goal of fiscal independence which outlines the responsibility of both parties for the following 12 to 18 months
- Beginning qualitative measurement tool response is documented and scaled
- While active, there are ongoing empowerment sessions
- Between months 6 to 9, midterm qualitative measurement tool response is documented and scaled
- Program Committee meets quarterly to review processes and any outlier cases
- After 12 to 18 months, the Empowerment Plan closes and the final qualitative measurement tool response is documented and scaled, along with a quantitative assessment of success: is the Survivor in sustainable housing and fiscally independent?
Advocates:
EHN Advocates are independent consultants who reflect the field well: 70% are women of color, speaking many languages, and with substantial expertise in the trafficking field. At the time, EHN has one Survivor serving as an Advocate.
Advocates work with members (Survivors) to secure housing and further other components of their individual Empowerment Plan (education and/or employment). EHN’s team of 12 local Advocates work with each recipient for up to 18 months. EHN’s cutting-edge program has attracted the best and brightest among the movement. They meet virtually or in person with members, an average of one hour per week.
Special placement information:
Accepting part-time MSW students.
Travel reimbursement not available.
Stipend not available (student will be compensated at a base rate per client).
Liability insurance required.
Video-/Audio-taping not permitted.
Agency hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM EST. Weekend and evening hours available.
The agency operates remotely, and the student will not have to come into the office.