Can ALIGHT solve the problem of human trafficking? No one organization or person can ever correct for this problem of inequity, injustice and violence. No one organization or person can ever put back all the pieces of a life shattered by human trafficking. But we can work together with other dedicated professionals to be more effective and comprehensive in our services.
We are delighted to announce a number of initiatives this Fall to increase awareness of The Legal Deserts Report and strengthen a coordinated response.
On October 25th and November 15th, ALIGHT Executive Director Marianna Kosharovsky and Survivor Advisory Council member Megan Lundstrom will present a special workshop series on Survivors Legal Needs, hosted by MOSAICS of American University. Then on November 17th and 18th, ALIGHT will present a number of events at the JuST Conference with fellow founders of The National Survivor Law Collective. See the details in UPCOMING EVENTS below and join us!
No one of us can fix this profound problem. Together, however, we can move mountains. We hope you consider sharing our work and supporting us for Colorado Gives Day (December 7th) by scheduling your end-of-year donation today!
In Full Light,
ALIGHT
| ALIGHT exists to unlock a fresh start for survivors. We ENVISION a world where every human trafficking survivor connects to a mobilized legal network to rebuild and thrive. |
JOIN OUR TEAM
We’re hiring! Do you love our work and want to join our team? Are you a BSW, LCSW, MSW or MSW candidate? ALIGHT is looking for a part-time Intake Advocate to help human trafficking survivors connect to critical legal services and unlock a fresh start. See the description and get in touch!
VIEW INTAKE ADVOCATE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER 25, 2021 HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS’ LEGAL NEEDS PART 1: BARRIERS ON THE LEGAL JOURNEY (VIRTUAL WORKSHOP)
Human trafficking survivors defy many categories of traditional victim services and often fall through the cracks because of rigid eligibility criteria. The Legal Deserts Report, published by The Avery Center (Avery) and the National Survivor Law Collective (NSL Collective), revealed that of the 550 U.S. organizations that publicly claim to offer legal services to survivors, only 61 responded with information about their direct legal services. In this workshop, presenters Megan Lundstrom of Avery and Marianna Kosharovsky of ALIGHT (Alliance to Lead Impact in Global Human Trafficking), a member of the NSL Collective, discuss recent research on the landscape of legal services available to human trafficking survivors, case studies of how this harms individual survivors and opportunities for legal professionals to help.
Time: Monday, October 25th at 12 – 1 pm MDT
NOVEMBER 15, 2021 HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVORS’ LEGAL NEEDS PART 2: A CONSTELLATION OF LEGAL PROBLEMS (VIRTUAL WORKSHOP)
Due to the complexity and severity of human trafficking, survivors often have multiple and interlocking legal needs that directly affect their ability to stabilize and escape the trafficking cycle. “[S]urvivors need specialized services that can assist with expungement, vacatur, and record sealing. Beyond criminal records, survivors also face other legal obstacles” such as debt, identity theft and child custody, according to The Legal Deserts Report, published by The Avery Center (Avery) and the National Survivor Law Collective (NSL Collective). In this workshop, presenters Megan Lundstrom of The Avery Center for Research and Services and Marianna Kosharovsky of ALIGHT (Alliance to Lead Impact in Global Human Trafficking) discuss recent research on the landscape of legal services available human trafficking survivors, case studies of survivors’ legal needs, opportunities for connecting survivors to legal services and where additional legal services are needed.
Time: Monday, November 15th at 12 – 1 pm MDT
NOVEMBER 17, 2021 LEGAL DAY, JuST CONFERENCE, OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL, WASHINGTON, DC
NOVEMBER 18, 2021 “NAVIGATING THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND WORKING WITH A PRO BONO TRAUMA-INFORMED LAWYER – SURVIVORS ONLY” at THE JuST CONFERENCE, OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL, WASHINGTON, DC
This session is geared at survivors of human trafficking. It will focus on strategies to navigate the legal system and ways to support other survivors as they do so. This session will focus on practicing compassion, non-judgment and empowering survivors throughout the legal process. The first part will be a panel of pro-bono trauma-informed lawyers led by a Survivor moderator. We will address questions related to the legal process, discuss legal remedies available to survivors, including accessing legal representation across multiple states. After the panel, participants can ask questions in a break-out session about the legal system, how to access pro bono legal services, and achieve their legal goals. We want to remind participants this is not a consultation and we cannot provide any legal advice at the time.
Time: Thursday, November 18th at 9 am EST
REGISTER FOR JuST CONFERENCE HERE
NOVEMBER 18, 2021 “TOOLKIT FOR NON-LAWYERS TO HELP SURVIVORS THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS” at THE JuST CONFERENCE, OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL, WASHINGTON, DC
This session is geared at service providers working with survivors of human trafficking. This presentation is designed for anyone interested in learning about how to support a victim or survivor navigate the legal system in a trauma-informed manner. The presentation will discuss the gaps in legal services for survivors nationally and the experiences of survivors within the legal system. It will then discuss how to identify a legal need, common legal needs among survivors, victim’s rights in the criminal process, preparing for a case, and how to locate legal services for a survivor. The presentation will then discuss the stages of a legal case, trauma-informed interview practices, working with an interpreter and skills for supporting survivors before, during and after court.
Time: Thursday, November 18th at 4 pm EST
