Dear Friend,
Can you imagine a way to instantaneously connect human trafficking survivors to lawyers eager to help? ALIGHT could and did – with a phone app. We are proud to announce the launch of the ALIGHT Legal Needs Matching Pilot, which uses mobile technology to link survivors – through their service providers and advocates – to attorneys with a wide array of expertise in family law, criminal law, contract law and more.
The Pilot launched on February 1, 2017, with community partners and volunteer lawyers in Colorado, and introduces a new approach to connecting and organizing legal resources. As we have seen recently, there is a great need to efficiently plug committed and passionate pro bono attorneys into at-risk communities and individuals.
Through the 4Bells app, survivors of human trafficking and their advocates can request specific legal assistance directly from attorneys. In a recent Colorado Bar Association Family Law Section Newsletter, Kristen Berg, ALIGHT Director of Outreach and Partnerships, writes “for many survivors, a 30- to 60-minute consultation about their situation makes all the difference in helping them to understand what they can and cannot expect from the legal system, and to be empowered to make informed decisions in this complex area of law.”
With the introduction of the ALIGHT Legal Needs Matching Pilot, we are working toward a future in which technology can improve anti-trafficking efforts and increase access to justice for survivors.
We request YOUR support as we embark on this exciting new phase of our work. Please consider being a Light for Justice and donate today.
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.
ALIGHT LEGAL NEEDS MATCHING PILOT
CALL FOR PILOT PARTICIPANTS!
While the Pilot is underway, we continue to grow the community of participating advocates and pro bono attorneys. If you are interested in joining the ALIGHT Legal Needs Matching Pilot, write to pilot@alightnet.org. To better understand the various legal needs of survivors, download the ALIGHT Legal Needs Examples.
APPLY TO ALIGHT’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Join us as we build a powerful community fighting for justice for survivors of human trafficking, by becoming a member of our Board of Directors. Learn more about the position and requirements here, then write to us at connect@alightnet.org.
UPCOMING 2017 ALIGHT EVENTS
FEBRUARY 16, 2017 COLORADO SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMISSION ON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, DENVER, CO: ALIGHT will speak about its innovative pro bono legal referral model before the Service Group Subcommittee.
MARCH 12-17, 2017 UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, NY: ALIGHT is honored to serve as a delegate representing the peace messenger organization Pathways to Peace at the United Nation’s 61st Commission on the Status of Women. ALIGHT was chosen to participate in this annual gathering of UN entities, governments and NGOs because “who you are and what you do elevates the status of women and we honor you deeply for that,” according to the invitation from Pathways to Peace.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
JANUARY 11, 2017 TELETECH, ENGLEWOOD, CO: On Human Trafficking Awareness Day, ALIGHT was invited to present at TeleTech, a company that provides consulting and customer service solutions to Fortune 500 companies across the globe. The presentation addressed Colorado’s striking human trafficking examples, such as the 2013 conviction of Kizzy Kalu for trafficking in forced labor of foreign nurses; law enforcement concerns about human trafficking related to the National Western Stock Show; and a federal lawsuit filed by Peruvian sheepherders working on a Western Slope ranch. The group discussed what lawyers in private practice and in-house counsel positions can do to help survivors, and the role of technology in making a difference.
NOVEMBER 21, 2016 PRINCETON WOODROW WILSON SCHOOL, PRINCETON, NJ: ALIGHT spoke to public policy and international affairs students on “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: We presented to a human rights law and development class about “Rethinking Human Rights Models: Impact at the Intersection of Law, Innovative Technology and Human Trafficking.”
AMBASSADORS OF LIGHT
Thank you Rick Blodgett for being ALIGHT’s Ambassador of Light! The Ambassador of Light Program is an opportunity for individuals, teams, community groups, professional services firms and other organizations to step into leadership in the anti-trafficking movement. By helping spread ALIGHT’s work and message, Ambassadors of Light are an active part of the effort to ensure that lawyers and advocates have the tools to collaborate within and across borders and provide justice for victims of human trafficking.
AMBASSADOR OF LIGHT RICK BLODGETT
For his birthday, Rick Blodgett gathered about 20 of his friends and family for a painting class and ALIGHT fundraiser.
“I have a deep passion for people, and it breaks my heart to know that the war on slavery has not finished,” Mr. Blodgett said. “There are millions of sex slaves and victims of human trafficking every year. And although my contribution is small right now, I know that light spreads more light. … I chose a painting that the eyes are drawn to the light, it is the centerpiece and likewise, I hope that ALIGHT will grow in the hearts of those who were able to join me in the fun and spread the good word. I believe when we share our joy, like my birthday celebration, with a group that can benefit from a portion of proceeds, then we truly are A Light in our communities.”
INTERESTED IN BEING AN AMBASSADOR OF LIGHT?
You, too, can participate. Learn about the different ways Ambassadors of Light support ALIGHT here, then email our Development Associate.
TO LEARN MORE
To learn more about human trafficking, visit our Resources Library. We also invite you, especially legal representatives, to consider how trauma affects human trafficking survivors and the dynamics of legal representation in Working with Human Trafficking Survivors: A Primer on Trauma for Lawyers, Advocates and Others.
ALIGHT PARTNERS
Click on AmazonSmile and sign up ALIGHT as your charity of choice, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases.
