2018 GRATITUDE REPORT MAKING FREEDOM REAL
1
SLAVERY TODAY
“So I wanted to raise my voice for other women. You’re not alone.
”
—
“EMILY” GRADUATE OF RESTORE NYC PROGRAMS
2
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
*No identifiable women in our communications are known to have been exploited.
3
A LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JIMMY LEE Dear friends,
We are in a cultural moment when communities around the globe are taking a stand against sexual violence. The Restore NYC community has been fighting sexual exploitation and gender-based violence since our founding in 2009, so for this new momentum, we have been grateful. And within this broader movement, we are encouraged by the momentum we have at Restore. I remember our first board meeting back in 2008. At that time, Restore was a dream in the heart of our visionary founder Faith Huckel Motter, and we were trying to figure out how to make that dream a reality. We knew we had to do something, but we did not know exactly what to do or if anyone would join us. Fast forward to 2018. We better understand the depravity and complexity of trafficking. But we also know that there is hope and that there are solutions. Since that first board meeting, we have learned a lot about how to move from noble intentions to real results.
Some of my favorite updates from 2018 include: • The average earnings for a survivor after one year of work in our social enterprise are $35,000. • We have trained the FBI, Delta Air Lines, and hundreds of frontline medical professionals who have then identified victims because of our training. • Over 30% of our growing program team are survivors who have graduated from one of our programs. Because of supporters like you, we are approaching Restore’s 10-year anniversary with momentum. This momentum is a great friend to a survivor of sex trafficking, a brave woman who now has the freedom to live her life as it was intended to be. It is a privilege for me to share this year’s Gratitude Report with you. You make all of this possible. Warm regards,
4
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
5
SLAVERY TODAY
GLOBALLY,
1 IN 200
PEOPLE LIVE
IN SLAVERY. New York City serves as a gateway and is one of the largest destinations for trafficked women in the country.
AN ESTIMATED
403,000
PEOPLE LIVE IN TRAFFICKING SITUATIONS IN THE U.S.
Right now, in every borough of the city, women are being forcefully exploited for sex.
6
MAKING FREEDOM REAL Restore NYC exists to end sex trafficking in New York and restore the well-being and independence of foreign-national survivors. Since 2009, we have pioneered innovative housing and economicempowerment solutions that give survivors access to a safe home and a real job—the things that our data tell us make freedom real. Our entrepreneurial spirit paired with a commitment to trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and culturally competent care have made us a leader in the rapidly evolving anti-trafficking field. The federal government has distinguished Restore NYC as the only anti-trafficking organization in the U.S. to receive Department of Justice grants for both housing and economic empowerment. For all services, we are committed to interagency collaboration and rigorous outcome evaluation. Armed with this data, we have trained over 250
aross 21 states including,
ARE SURVIVORS WHO ARE NOW LEADING OTHERS TO FREEDOM.
organizations
LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
OVER 30% OF OUR PROGRAM STAFF
OUR PROGRAMS
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
HOSPITALS
CLIENT SERVICES
HOUSING
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Ultimately, we are most grateful that Restore NYC is a place survivors call “home” and are flourishing.
8
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
9
RESTORE’S IMPACT TO DATE
OVER
1,700 SURVIVORS SERVED FROM
71 COUNTRIES ACROSS THE GLOBE
30 WOMEN
PLACED IN SAFE JOBS SINCE LAUNCHING OUR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM IN 2016
OVER
250 ORGANIZATIONS TRAINED ACROSS
21 STATES 10
11
2018 AT A GLANCE
We served 328 CLIENTS this year, more than ever before.
Our survivor-owned, co-op staffing agency now has 25 BUSINESS PARTNERS.
Graduates of our Economic Empowerment Program, launched in 2016, are reporting average annual earnings of $35,000 after one year of work.
We launched a HOUSING PROGRAM. Previously called the Safehome Program, Restore’s Housing Program reflects our expansion into independent living, emergency housing, and flexible funding. 12
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
13
CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS
WHO WE SERVE
Average age: 38 Education level: 59% have a high school education. Nearly 60% of the women we serve have children.
SARA*
PRIMARY EMERGENCY NEEDS:
• Transportation • Personal care • Employment
When the NYPD came through the doors of the “spa” where “Sara” worked, she thought first of her daughter, “Grace.” Her love of Grace was the reason Sara found herself where she was, four years of being forced to provide sex to strange, sometimes violent men. Grace was just a baby when Sara left her with her grandparents in Guatemala, determined that her daughter would not forever live in a one-room house unsure if there was enough food. When Sara saw the police, she thought with a sinking heart, “I hope I don’t get deported.” The policemen turned out to be much nicer than Sara’s bosses at the spa had promised American cops were. They brought with them some women who also spoke Spanish and worked at a place called Restore NYC. These women explained that Sara’s bosses were using the threat of deportation unlawfully in order to keep her trapped. They offered to help Sara find a place to live and a new job. When we welcomed Sara to our offices, she wanted three things: to speak with Grace, a safe place to live, and a real job. She entered our Safehome shortly thereafter. Sara also joined the Spanish-speaking cohort of the job-readiness course offered through Restore’s Economic Empowerment Program. She marveled that the class was taught by another woman who had gone through similar things before entering and graduating the program herself.
PRIMARY LONG-TERM NEEDS:
Sara also applied for a T-visa and joined Restore’s social enterprise, a worker-owned cooperative that enabled her to work. Sara now has a job with a coffeeshop business partner.
• Employment • ESL • Family needs, including reunification
Restore also helped her navigate the myriad of benefits and responsibilities that come with being formally identified as a trafficking survivor. Through Restore’s partnership with the federal Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP), Sara started receiving $500 a month. Coupled with her job, this was sufficient for Sara to start earning enough money to accomplish two important goals: send money home and start saving to live on her own. She accomplished both goals and more. When she graduated from the Safehome 16 months later, she was able to move into her own apartment. She is no longer clinically depressed. She regularly attends graduate events. Sara is a deaconess in her church, where she met two women who shared their stories with her. Recognizing the signs of potential trafficking, she referred them to Restore. Restore counselors formally identified the two women as survivors, and they are now receiving services from Restore programs as a result of Sara’s referrals. *Sara’s story reflects a composite experience of the survivors served at Restore.
14
15
SHAPING AN EVOLVING FIELD The anti-trafficking field is rapidly evolving. Because of this, we believe collaboration is key and frequently share our learnings.
“Restore showed me a new way to reach patients who might otherwise be yet again overlooked by society. I learned a great deal about how to make a difference in both my perceptions and my practice.” - Dr. Jemella Raymore, Huntington Hospital
To date, we’ve trained over 250 organizations across 21 states. Highlights from 2018 include: OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME (OVC): In March, OVC, a part of the U.S. Department of Justice, invited Restore to speak at the 2018 Human Trafficking Grantee Meeting on economic empowerment for survivors of trafficking. Chief Program Officer Dr. Amanda Eckhardt presented on our economic empowerment model and impact design.
“Restore’s trainings were very eye-opening. They not only covered the uncomfortable areas about the problem,
NORTHWELL HEALTH: Through a partnership with Northwell Health, the largest integrated health system in New York State, we trained nearly 500 health care providers on how they can play a vital role in the fight against trafficking. More than 80% of survivors report that while being trafficked, they came into contact with a health care provider, making it crucial for us to share our expertise with frontline hospital staff. TRAFFICK-FREE NYC: In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Faith and Community Partnerships, TrafficK-Free NYC launched its #PartoftheSolution campaign this year. At the kickoff event in January, Dr. Eckhardt was the featured speaker on housing needs for survivors of trafficking. As a result of this event, 18 houses of worship expressed interest in providing housing for trafficked victims.
they also focused on the promising practices—helping in the healing process and making referrals to appropriate resources. As a social worker on the frontlines, I feel more prepared to work with this population overall.” - Zairia A. Finch, LCSW, MS, Lenox Hill Hospital
“Restore has done an incredible job. The day after a training, a patient was identified with many red flags for trafficking and referred to Restore. The patient successfully exited her trafficking situation and is now receiving the care she deserves. Our work is paying off. Lives are being changed, which is why we do what we do.” - Dr. Santhosh Paulus, Northwell Health Human Trafficking Response Program
16
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
17
SURVIVOR LEADERSHIP
PEER ADVOCATES Peer Advocates are graduates who support survivors currently enrolled in a Restore program. These leaders connect with and serve other survivors through crisis intervention, helping clients access emergency housing and ensuring clients have access to food and clothing.
EXPANDED GRADUATE PROGRAM In 2018, we refined and expanded our Graduate Program to ensure that survivors integrating back into society have support. Previously led by a staff member who was not a graduate and limited to graduates of our Housing Program, the Graduate Program is now open to graduates of all programs and led by a survivor. Since we made these changes, the program has been flourishing. Participating graduates have met 21 times this year for outings, meals, and gatherings at our office. We hope that graduates will continue to build lasting friendships with each other. Our vision is that by 2030, survivors will make up at least 25% of our entire staff team (not only the program staff team) and will play key leadership roles throughout the organization, including on the Board of Directors. MEET “EMILY”
Here’s how we’re doing so far:
Soon after Emily moved to a big city in Central America, a friend
Over 30% of our program team are graduates and/or survivors of trafficking.
told her about a job with a wealthy family. But she soon learned that her employers were involved in organized crime. They trafficked people, weapons, and drugs. After years of being
7 graduates serve as Peer Advocates.
trafficked in Central America and the U.S., Emily escaped. When she first arrived at the Restore Safehome, she immediately felt
47 total survivors serve in a leadership capacity, including as staff members and board members and co-owners of our social enterprise.
like she was home. The Restore community walked alongside her during a difficult healing journey. Today, Emily is an Assistant Facilitator in our Economic Empowerment Program. She is also taking on a growing number of speaking engagements to raise her voice for other survivors.
18
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
19
INNOVATION At Restore, we strive to be innovative and entrepreneurial problem solvers. We are constantly trying to improve our work. Here are some of the things we piloted, expanded, refined, and improved upon in 2018.
“HOUSING FIRST” This year, Restore adopted Housing First principles. This approach has been implemented across homeless housing programs in the U.S. with great success. Housing First believes housing is a right and that when housing is secured as a first point of intervention, other basic needs and vulnerabilities can be adequately
PARTNERSHIP WITH SINGLE STOP
addressed.
The women we serve often have to travel to multiple locations across New York City to receive needed resources. This travel can become extremely burdensome. In
RAPID REHOUSING is a best-practice approach designed
response to client feedback, we started a partnership with Single Stop locations in
to help survivors quickly exit homelessness and return
NYC to provide “one-stop-shop” wraparound services ensuring clients have access to
to permanent housing. It is offered without preconditions
all major anti-poverty resources (e.g. SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, financial clinic, free
like employment, income, absence of criminal record, or
tax assistance, SSI, HEAP, housing applications, WIC, emergency food pantry).
sobriety. IN THE SAFEHOME. Restore phased out curfew and
LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR ALL
eliminated household chores. Additionally, there are
Restore is the only agency in America focused on serving female foreign-national
no longer any formal rules on the safeguarding of food.
survivors of trafficking, and we are intentional about staff reflecting Restore
Feedback surveys report positive responses to these
clients. Our team hails from 15 countries and speaks 12 languages! In late 2017,
changes, including residents remarking that they want to
we implemented language access with CTS LanguageLink Inc., which provides
ensure we do not return to the old policies.
interpretation and translation services. Now, we are able to better serve more women. To date, we have served women from 71 countries across the globe.
20
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
21
MOMENTUM
platform for job placement for our co-op staffing agency, allowing us to connect hundreds more survivors to local jobs. This year, we piloted a training with the Manhattan South vice squad of the NYPD. We directed the vision, objective, and process for a joint outreach, which resulted in a massive increase in number of women being identified as trafficking victims and enrolling in our programs. One woman who came to Restore because of this pilot now works as an Assistant Facilitator in our Economic Empowerment Program. In 2016, Restore led a training in North Carolina, which led to a 1.5-year long investigation by North Carolina law enforcement into a statewide illicit massage business (IMB) trafficking network. This year, we provided consultation and oversight for the result of that investigation: a massive local and state law enforcement operation targeting multi-state IMBs. Law enforcement successfully arrested and charged the primary target, an owner of multiple businesses across three states. We are grateful for opportunities like this to scale our impact across the nation.
As the number of Restore partners and supporters grow, we know with more certainty: we are reaching a real inflection point toward ending sex trafficking in New York City and beyond. In September, Restore received a second grant from OVC for our Economic Empowerment Program. This OVC specialized grant is a $700,000 grant over three years and is the largest in our history. It was awarded to only six organizations across the U.S. this year. With this grant, the federal government has distinguished Restore as the only anti-trafficking organization in the nation to receive Department of Justice grants for both housing and economic empowerment. In May, Steve Moroski, Senior Vice President, Head of NA Banking at Salesforce invited Executive Director Jimmy Lee, Chief Program Officer Dr. Amanda Eckhardt, and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Kim to present to his team of approximately 140 people at the New York Stock Exchange. Salesforce is also helping build a digital
“My favorite highlight this year happened in January. I was taking my lunch break and noticed two of my colleagues giggling together. I asked what they were giggling about, and ‘Laura’ said they were excited because they were applying for retirement accounts. These two women are not only my colleagues, but also survivors of trafficking and mothers with young children. It is a moment for which I will be forever grateful. Both women were part of Restore’s pilot Economic Empowerment Program in 2016. Since 2016, we have served 102 additional women, allowing so many more to achieve sustained freedom. There is a scripture that we have mounted on the wall of our Safehome that captures this moment in the office between my two colleagues: “She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” - Dr. Amanda Eckhardt, Chief Program Officer
22
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
23
FY18 REVENUES
FINANCIALS 6.3%
OTHER
FY18 EXPENSES
3.7%
11.5%
CHURCHES
MGMT & ADMIN
7.0% CORPORATE
20.7% CLIENT SERVICES
34.5%
RESTORE REVENUES & EXPENSES TIMELINE: FY09 - FY18 REVENUES
22.3%
INDIVIDUALS
14.3%
FUNDRAISE
18.7%
EVENTS
EXPENSES
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
3.8%
2500
TRAIN
2000
19.8% 3.2%
14.8%
HOUSING
MEASURE
GOVERNMENT
19.5%
1500
FOUNDATIONS
1000
$ IN THOUSANDS: 500
REVENUES
0
INDIVIDUALS FY09
FY10
FY11
FY12
FY13
FY14
FY15
FY16
FY17
FY18
REVENUES:
123
357
417
729
1,019
958
1,039
1,643
2,140
2,672
EXPENSES:
107
213
422
569
777
841
1,001
1,352
2,085
2,271
$ IN THOUSANDS:
EXPENSES $922
34.5%
FOUNDATIONS
521
19.5%
GOVERNMENT
396
14.8%
EVENTS
381
14.3%
CORPORATE
186
7.0%
OTHER
168
6.3%
98
3.7%
(Net of direct benefit expense)
CHURCHES REVENUES TOTAL:
$2,672
100%
CLIENT SERVICES
$469
20.7%
HOUSING
449
19.8%
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
425
18.7%
TRAIN
87
3.8%
MEASURE
73
3.2%
FUNDRAISE
507
22.3%
MGMT & ADMIN
261
11.5%
EXPENSES TOTAL:
$2,271
100%
NET ASSETS
24
GRATITUDE REPORT 2018
NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR
$1,221,067
NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR
$1,622,108
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
+$401,041
25
Restore NYC exists to end sex trafficking in New York and restore the well-being and independence of foreign-national survivors.
CONTACT US: (212) 840-8484 | info@restorenyc.org | restorenyc.org