News

October, 2024

COTS – 2nd Edition

Welcome to the 2nd edition of Cry of the Streets International. This magazine has a long history in SA, first being designed in our pilot program in Calgary, Alberta (Canada) in 1990. It is the creative outlet for the young women in our program to share their stories, artwork and messages of hope to other women still experiencing sexual exploitation. As the SA Foundation grew and developed its program model in cities around the world, we expanded this outlet to the international level.

It also includes space for our dedicated leaders to share their experiences, strengths and hopes with readers and with others contemplating a call to serve exploited women. This year’s edition has a theme:

Grateful for Freedom, recognizing that we all have things we need freedom from.

Enjoy!

Click in the link below to access the new edition:
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/246830122/

September 1st, 2024

RESTORE

In our previous blog, we introduced the first "R" in our SA Program Model, REFUGE. Our upcoming content will focus on the second "R" in the SA Program Model.

The Second R stands for "RESTORE."

Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are horrific crimes that leave deep scars on survivors. Survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation are highly likely to experience mental health issues such as depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders, attachment issues, and addiction. They need their lives restored through appropriate care and support to enable them to have true freedom.

It's common for people to blame victims for their past experiences rather than trying to understand their behavior and actions. Many assume that simply freeing victims from their abuser or culprit is enough to help them recover. However, the trauma and fear that they face even after being rescued are often beyond our understanding. Victims may be physically free, but they can still feel trapped and imprisoned mentally, making it difficult for them to live a normal life. The mental health challenges the victims of sexual exploitation suffer are very significant, and it is not just about their internal thoughts but also about how others treat them.

People with certain characteristics or differences often face harsh judgment and societal discrimination. They are often deprived of opportunities and feel insecure and isolated. This constant struggle to survive and be accepted can take a toll on their mental and emotional health.

For survivors of sexual exploitation to live normal and happy lives, they require assistance in solving their emotional puzzles. We all need to discuss the pain within ourselves to facilitate healing, and individuals who have experienced trauma require someone to listen to their pain and stand beside them during their journey to restore their stolen value, identity, and freedom.

The SA Foundation is dedicated to helping women and girls recover what has been taken from them. Our program is designed to offer all participants hope and a better future. We provide expert guidance and create a supportive community that fosters a safe and empowering environment for all participants. A healthy environment helps promote growth and healing among all our participants.

Without access to the necessary resources to address their physical, mental, and emotional traumas, individuals may find themselves being pulled back into their old ways of life, even though it is not the best choice for them. It can feel like being trapped in quicksand, making it difficult to move forward without support from others.

It is a sad reality that many women are trapped in sexual exploitation and feel utterly hopeless and fearful. To help us understand the trauma and conditions of these women, Covenant House Toronto has compiled a list of shared experiences. Below are some of those experiences that shed light on the severity of the situation:

- The trafficker provides and controls all needs, such as love, food, money, shelter, etc.
- The victim may have an intense, often romantic attachment to the trafficker (trauma bond).
- Employment options can be limited for victims in the "mainstream world" because they may lack education, work experience, etc.
- Victims often come to believe that the only person they can trust is the trafficker.
- Victims battle with feelings of hopelessness connected to needing to start again without resources or support.
- Victims face judgment from service providers, friends and family, and/or their community.
- Those judgments are internalized into shame and self-blame for their current situation.
- A victim may not think or realize they need help due to the trauma bond they may form with the trafficker.
- Victims may have experienced various forms of trauma throughout their lives, including poverty, neglect, and abuse. That experience of trauma continues while they are being trafficked and can impact their worldview, the way they see themselves, and their overall mental health.
- Fear of retaliation against themselves and/or family.
- Fear of not being believed by others.
- Fear of the unknown, including how to re-enter mainstream life.
- Victims are often isolated from their social support network by the trafficker.
- Victims often don't know where to seek help, or help isn't available in their communities.
(Source: covenanthousetoronto.ca/traffick-stop/why-victims-cant-leave)

Thanks to your invaluable contribution, we can provide essential resources to empower women and their children worldwide. We are deeply grateful for your support. As our beloved founder used to say, "We are the truck, and you are the fuel." Without your help, we cannot continue our mission to make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

So, consider joining our community of like-minded people who want to see true freedom for those women whose hope was taken away so aggressively and violently. Join our Liberty Collective today and receive updates on what is happening in the life of the SA Global Network.

https://www.safoundation.com/give

August 1st, 2024

2023-2024 Annual Report and Financial Statement

We are delighted to share that our 2023-2024 Annual Report and Financial Statement is now accessible on our website: safoundation.com/about: 'Annual Report and Financial Statement'.

"The mission of the SA Foundation is to empower and support leaders in as many countries as possible to replicate the SA Program Model.

Together, we can change people's lives, provide freedom, and make a difference. We eagerly anticipate the 2024-2025 year and the incredible things God will do through each one of us."


https://www.safoundation.com/about

July 3rd, 2024

REFUGE

In our previous blog, we announced that we are reintroducing the SA Program Model. Our upcoming content will focus on each part of the SA Program Model "5 R's" over the next few months.

The first R stands for "REFUGE."

Every woman deserves a safe place to begin her journey towards healing and recovery. A REFUGE filled with hope and love provides just that. It's where women can take the first step towards reclaiming their lives and rebuilding their futures.

It's not enough just to be rescued; victims of sexual exploitation experience severe PTSD symptoms and are at risk of other mental health problems such as depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts, problems with alcohol abuse, and many more.

It's like imprisoning a bird for most of its life; it will forget how to fly. The same thing happens to women who have been subjected to abuse and exploitation. Unless someone takes the time to teach and support them, showing them that they are valued and capable of achieving more, they will remain trapped in their own thoughts, trauma, and false beliefs, making it nearly impossible for them to start a new life.

The SA Foundation empowers and equips leaders worldwide to help women who are victims of sexual exploitation. Our goal is to enable these women to lead fulfilling and dignified lives. We strive to provide a safe and secure environment for the women we serve, helping them begin their journey towards healing. Through collaborative efforts with people like you, we aim to provide true freedom to these women.

The SA program model has three distinct stages and boasts a 73% success rate:

1st Stage – Front Line Housing:
Young women start by exiting sexual exploitation and move into front-line housing. In this supportive context, participants develop basic living skills.

2nd Stage – Transitional Housing:
This level of housing aims to increase participants' responsibility and freedom within a monitored environment. A housing Support Worker is on-site to ensure the overall safety and security of the home and offer problem-solving assistance as needed.

3rd Stage – Independent Living:
The objective of the Independent Housing structure is for participants to either move into Phase III housing or move into an apartment in the community at large once they have reached all the markers to ensure a successful transition to independent living.

We aim to expand the SA Program Model globally and grow our SA Global Network. We have a well-documented development process in place for implementing the SA Model. This process begins with reaching out to those willing to start a project. We then assess, train, and develop a local program with the help of local people. As a result, we expand the SA Global Network by sharing stories of trained and empowered leaders, women, and children who have been saved. We build a network of safe refuge places while providing updated training to our network.

Our SA Global Network operates with unwavering strength and determination in crisis zones worldwide. The teams will ensure that women escaping human trafficking and sexual exploitation receive the help they require. Here is a short update on our network:

Asia– Our oldest project outside of North America is in Nepal, and it is flourishing. Our newest project in the Philippines finished our comprehensive leadership assessment and plans to launch its project this Fall (2024).

Europe– Hungary is our oldest project in Europe and has just opened a new REFUGE location. We also have projects in Germany, Italy, and Greece.

North America– We have helped start, train, and carry out projects to develop REFUGE homes and apartments in Canada and the US.

Last February, our team finished their assessment and training in the Philippines and went to Nepal for their annual evaluation, training, and certification.

The Philippines:
The team from the Philippines is prepared and enthusiastic about bringing hope and healing to the women they will serve. They plan to launch the project in Fall 2024, and we eagerly anticipate its positive impact on the community. We are thrilled with their progress. The team will continue training until the launch date, and we will provide ongoing mentorship and financial support. We are very excited about that.

Nepal:
The team in Nepal underwent their annual SA Global Network certification. Additionally, they received new training to help them continually deliver the SA Program Model excellently. They are also implementing measures to become more sustainable and offer new services to support their budget.

Please stay tuned and come back here frequently, as we will update the life of the SA Foundation and its Global Network.