Fall 2016

Dear Friend,

What does progress towards a more just world look like? Innovative technology is the future of engaging pro bono expertise and delivering timely legal services to the vulnerable. This month, as ALIGHT prepares to present on this very topic at Princeton Woodrow Wilson School and Columbia Law School, we return to the basics – how to increase access to justice for survivors of human trafficking.

On one side of the equation is survivors’ critical need for legal assistance. A recent success case, profiled below, shows what’s at stake for an individual seeking to recover from his trafficking experience. On the other side is the necessity to channel direct legal action to the underserved. By leveraging technology, we provide access to under-utilized resources and harness professional volunteer networks. We must seize every opportunity to ensure that survivors of human trafficking connect to legal support.

And we’re not the only ones who believe this is important. ALIGHT welcomes the latest community partners joining the ALIGHT Legal Needs Matching Pilot:

Servicios de la Raza – a leading provider of case management services to the Latino community in Colorado

Rivonia, Inc. – a nonprofit organization focused on housing and intensive reintegration services for survivors, including foreign child and adult nationals tricked into sex trafficking, and labor trafficking on ranches, farms, nail salons and in private homes

Urban Peak – a program helping thousands of homeless youth each year, a population that is often vulnerable to being trafficked

Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center – a multidisciplinary office providing free legal assistance to victims of violent crimes such as human trafficking

Just as we are grateful to all our partners, we are privileged to have YOUR support of our work. In this season of giving, please consider being a Light for Justice and donate.

In Full Light,
The ALIGHT Team

ALIGHT ENVISIONS a world where anti-trafficking professionals have the resources to achieve justice and restitution for victims of human trafficking. Our MISSION is to enable anti-trafficking advocates and legal providers to connect across borders and build solutions together.

SUCCESS CASE

Brandon* was being seen by a Licensed Professional Counselor for issues related to complex trauma, including human trafficking. As he was describing struggling with problems related to his immigration status and obstacles to marrying a US citizen, Brandon’s therapist realized that some of these issues were legal needs. Although new to the issue of human trafficking, his therapist reached out to ALIGHT for help. The result? Brandon was connected with a lawyer who could advise him on his immigration questions, which significantly reduced his anxiety, led to a positive legal outcome, and allowed him to focus on school and work. Brandon continues to make great strides in building a safe, stable and fulfilling life.

*The details of this account have been modified or generalized to protect the survivor’s privacy and are shared with his permission.

ALIGHT RESOURCES FOR YOU

LEGAL NEEDS OF SURVIVORS

Curious how about how you can start recognizing the legal needs of survivors? Download the ALIGHT Legal Needs Examples.

PRIMER ON TRAUMA

When working with survivors of human trafficking, lawyers, advocates and others simply must have sensitivity to the trauma sustained by such individuals. Survivors’ trauma impacts daily life, as well as interactions with professionals. To address these concerns and more, we have developed an informational guide drawing from multiple disciplines. To request your copy of Working with Human Trafficking Survivors: A Primer on Trauma for Lawyers, Advocates and Others, please write to connect@alightnet.org.

ALIGHT LEGAL NEEDS MATCHING PILOT (WITH 4BELLS APP)

The Pilot uses real-time, mobile technology to match Need to relevant and available Expertise. With direct and easy access to legal resources and knowledge, precious time is not wasted on coordination, and more of the survivors’ diverse, nuts-and-bolts problems can be expediently resolved.

CALL FOR PILOT PARTICIPANTS!

Get in touch if you are interested in joining the ALIGHT Legal Needs Matching Pilot, whether as a service provider (Need) or pro bono attorney (Expertise), by writing to connect@alightnet.org.

UPCOMING 2016 ALIGHT PRESENTATIONS

NOVEMBER 21, 2016 PRINCETON WOODROW WILSON SCHOOL, PRINCETON, NJ: “Innovative Approaches to Human Trafficking Problems: How Tech Tools for Justice Create Opportunities for Big Impact”

NOVEMBER 23, 2016 COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL, NEW YORK, NY: “Rethinking Human Rights Models: Impact at the Intersection of Law, Innovative Technology and Human Trafficking”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Marianna Kosharovsky of ALIGHT, Professor Roberta Mancuso of Regis University and Dr. Kristy Eldredge

“The Urgent Need for Multidisciplinary Collaboration in Human Trafficking,” Regis University 2016

NOVEMBER 5, 2016 PRESENTATION AT REGIS UNIVERSITY 2016 CSI CONFERENCE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DENVER, CO

In their joint presentation, Dr. Kristy Eldredge and Marianna Kosharovsky delved into the whys and hows of collaboration needed to build a powerful community response. Offering examples from mental health and legal disciplinary perspectives, the speakers discussed the role of the professional and the importance of seeing “client issues” as “legal needs” to serve survivors more holistically.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016 FREEDOM COLLABORATIVE FEATURE

Read here the feature interview on ALIGHT’s work by the Freedom Collaborative, an international community of over 300 grassroots human trafficking organizations.

CHAMPIONS OF LIGHT

Thank you Frank Gibbard for being ALIGHT’s Champion of Light! The Champion of Light Program is an opportunity for individuals, professional services firms or corporations whose values and mission are consistent with ALIGHT to support our work through sponsorship. Champions of Light play an early, critical role in supporting our innovative anti-human trafficking endeavor to ensure that lawyers and advocates have the tools to collaborate across borders and provide justice for victims of human trafficking.

CHAMPION OF LIGHT FRANK GIBBARD

“My interest in human trafficking was sparked by a trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, sponsored by the American Bar Association. At a display there I learned of the appalling facts surrounding this awful crime and its victims. Later I became inspired by information from ALIGHT concerning the possibility of using the law more effectively to help victims. That is why I support ALIGHT as their Champion of Light.”

Frank Gibbard is a Denver attorney and author. His book, Steam, Steel & Statutes: True Tales Form Colorado Legal History was a 2010 Colorado Book Award finalist. He also runs a French-language Meetup group, Denver Metro French Table, that welcomes French speakers from diverse backgrounds for weekly conversation.

INTERESTED IN BEING A CHAMPION OF LIGHT?

You, too, can participate. Learn about the different ways Champions of Light support ALIGHT here, then email our Executive Director Marianna Kosharovsky.

TO LEARN MORE

To learn more about human trafficking, we invite you to visit our Resources page, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

ALIGHT PARTNERS