Youth At Risk of Human Trafficking

This training will provide both the basic information about the realities and risks of human trafficking, while world-building with character tableaus to increase comprehension of those affected by this complicated experience. Attendees can expect to learn, skill build, and be provided solutions to care for people most at-risk in their communities.

Objectives

• Understand what a victim of Human Trafficking looks like 
• Learn what risk factors exist and who is most affected by them 
• Develop skills and proper question phrasing to know how to identify warning signs in real time
• Participate in rich discussion about current barriers to care, and how to combat them

Intended Audience

• Community members
• Providers
• Young people

Presented by: Faith Bessette (she/her) is a 28 year old, white woman who is growing out a buzz cut and loves brussels sprouts. She is a youth advocate at Sojourner House with a passion for active listening and encouraging others to give themselves grace. Along with a brief stint of being a young person herself, Faith has worked in the Summer Camp industry for a decade, at shelters for youth who are unhoused, and currently spends her days assisting in the creation of the YHDP funded Youth Diversion program at the Sojo Drop-in center in Prov. Faith is currently in school to complete her BSW and MSW, and hopes to use her experience and education to continue advocating for the rights of young people, while finding joyful space to do so.

Maria Haces (she/her) is the Human Trafficking Community Services Coordinator. Her role is to facilitate trainings in English and Spanish to educate the community about what trafficking is, sits on the Rhode Island Human Trafficking Task Force, facilitates support groups for LGBTQ+ survivors of trafficking that speak Spanish,  and works with survivors of sex and labor trafficking. She earned her BA in Educational Pedagogy in Mexico City at Universidad Panamericana.  As she moved from one county to another her career path changed from teaching to working hand-in-hand with incredible non-profits.

Antonia Kosnoski (she/her) is a TAY Housing Advocate at Sojourner House working with 18-24 year olds in the Rapid Rehousing Program.  Through her role, she is able to connect clients with critical services, while fostering resilience and ensuring they have the tools needed to thrive.  Toni earned her BA in Criminology, Sociology, and Women’s Studies at Assumption University in Worcester, MA and will begin her MSW next fall in hopes that she will be able to make lasting positive impacts on the lives of each person she works with. 

Sojourner House is a victim services agency based in Rhode Island that has been providing safe shelter, housing, and life-saving supportive services to survivors of abuse since 1976. We invite survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking into spaces that are comfortable and empowering so they can begin to heal and rebuild their lives. Our advocates can make recommendations and connect victims with helpful resources, but most of all, they listen. They do not judge or pressure victims to make changes before they are ready.

Event Venue

United Way of Rhode Island, 50 Valley Street, Providence, United States