I’m a survivor of sex trafficking. This led me to not to know anything about employment. My support from Community Against Sexual Harm referred me to the Employ + Empower (E+E) program at 3Strands Global Foundation (3SGF). When I came to E+E, I didn’t know how to look for a job or go through a job interview. I gained the necessary skills to find employment through E+E. When I came in, I only knew about being trafficked. So, getting a job was hard for me because the lifestyle was what I knew.When I came in, I was totally broken, had mental health issues, and didn’t have a home. Finding a job was very, very important to me. My 3SGF case manager and I started on the long road to recovery. She supported me while I gained the necessary skills to go into an interview and know what questions to ask and what information to give and not to give. My first interview didn’t go well because I didn’t understand how to answer the questions. I contacted my case manager and told her why I most likely did not get hired for that job. We started mock interviews- which was really helpful. When I got the next interview–I didn’t tell my case manager about it. She was surprised when I called her, crying and excited to tell her I got the job. It was my first job ever. E+E takes the time to teach clients skills needed to gain employment and to understand who they are and their needs. Now, I am co-chair of the Survivor Advisory Board (SAB) for 3SGF. Being on the SAB is empowering- being a voice for survivors or survivors. I also get to go out and speak and utilize my survivor experience to help other people. It’s important to me. I was trafficked at 13. So, my voice was taken. I refuse to let that happen to others. Being on the SAB has given me drive, ambition, and the ability to support others.
