Human trafficking happens, even in our beautiful state of Michigan, but these homegrown organizations are fighting back.
While it can be hard to imagine anything untoward happening in our beautiful home state of Michigan, the National Human Trafficking Association Hotline explains that human trafficking happens in every single state in the United States, including Michigan.
The 2024 Michigan Human Trafficking Commission Report notes that since the hotline’s inception in 2007, over 10,000 signals have been received. 6,200 victims have been identified in Michigan, a number, the report added, that is probably severely underreflective of the true scope of victims. Trafficking occurs in every state, but not every state is the same in how it fights back against the atrocity. Unfortunately, Shared Hope International, an international anti-trafficking organization, gave Michigan an ‘F’ grade on how it identifies and serves victims.
That doesn’t mean Michigan can’t change. Many local and statewide organizations are working hard against the horrors of human trafficking. From official task forces to survivor-led networks to safe, transitional homes that house survivors and help them build new lives, here are 10 Michigan organizations fighting human trafficking to lend your support to.
1. Michigan Anti Trafficking Project (MAP)
- What they do: Support locally + host events
- How to help: Support their stall sticker program or link a Kroger rewards card
The Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project (MAP) is a 501(c)3 volunteer-led organization that works through three main pillars: 1) local, volunteer-led community groups throughout Michigan, 2) collaboration with other anti-trafficking organizations, such as the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission, and 3) awareness through in-person and virtual events.
They also host informal volunteer meet-up events every month for individuals looking to get involved or to learn more about the organization. Meetings are posted to their online calendar so you can find one near you. To support MAP, you can make a one-time contribution, donate to their sticker project to place labels with human trafficking help hotlines in bathroom stalls, or link your Kroger rewards card to help the organization earn points.
2. Michigan Human Trafficking Commission
- What they do: State anti-trafficking agency
- How to help: Engage in education and sign up for update emails online
The Michigan Human Trafficking Commission is an official governmental organization established after the 2014 legislature, which enacted the Human Trafficking Commission Act. The Act The MI Human Trafficking Commission, which consists of 14 members, including designees from the Michigan State Police, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Governor.
To support the organization, you can educate yourself on how to fight against human trafficking by visiting their website and signing up for email updates. They also list training opportunities if you are interested in getting more involved in a more hands-on capacity with victims and survivors.
3. Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF)
- What they do: Connect federal, state, and local agencies and forces
- How to help: Donate online
The Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF) is a collection of 100 different agencies in Michigan that include representation from federal, state, sheriffs, and local police agencies, legal experts, and victim service providers. The mission of the MHTTF is “to facilitate a collaborative effort to prevent trafficking of persons within the State of Michigan, to pursue prosecution of perpetrators, and to protect and actively support rehabilitation efforts for trafficking victims.”
The task force is involved in both advocacy and educational efforts, as well as on the practical level, such as training Michigan police officers, sponsoring conferences, and working directly with victims and survivors. They also help support a peer-to-peer support group for survivors. You can donate to the task force directly online or support the group through other means, such as raising awareness, volunteering, and shopping ethically.
4. Unsilenced: Battle Creek/Kalamazoo Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition
- What they do: Local support + advocacy
- How to help: Volunteer or donate online
UnSilenced is a survivor-led anti-human trafficking organization based in both Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Mich. While both organizations work locally to support survivors, they also operate throughout Michigan. The Kalamazoo arm of Unsilenced is formally known as the Kalamazoo Area Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition (KAAHTC and was formed in 2012. The organization meets monthly and is recognized as a regional Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force.
You can donate to either organization online or support them in other ways, such as through volunteering, hosting an outreach event, or partnering with them to create larger safety nets in the area. For instance, some partner organizations include tattoo parlors that may work with survivors to cover up past tattoos or create new symbols of hope, as well as ministries that gift vehicles to support fresh starts.
5. Avalon
- What they do: Provide medical exams for victims
- How to help: Donate or shop their Amazon wishlist
While many of the organizations listed provide important advocacy, education, and practical resources, Avalon is unique as a 501(c)3 non-profit that pairs trained Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners with victims for medical exams and forensic evidence collection. They provide 24/7 services, all free of charge, with medical-forensic exams available up to 120 hours after an assault. The organization also offers free counseling and advocacy services to anyone at any time, and it is the largest sexual assault victim program in Michigan.
Staff can help victims find and get to a clinic for their exam and evidence collection, and trained volunteers and staff are available for victims every step of the way. Avalon is working with Detroit and southeast Michigan to address the backlog of untested assault kits, and at the regional, state, and national levels, Avalon is involved in task forces, advocacy, legislation, and training.
They’re providing tremendous hands-on support and overall assistance to survivors and victims, and you can donate online in three ways: via Venmo, GoFundMe, or directly. You can also shop from their Amazon wishlist or Walmart registry to support them.
6. Hope Against Trafficking
- What they do: Offer free two-year transitional housing and support
- How to help: Donate, volunteer, or sign up for an advocacy program
Founded in 2008 by two Michigan women who started the organization after they claimed to have knowledge of 1,200 enslaved women in a three-square-mile area of Detroit alone, Hope Against Trafficking focuses on what comes after the rescue of victims. Splashy documentaries on “saving” victims may get views, but victims need life-saving support and resources to truly recover and be free, and that’s what Hope Against Trafficking hopes to accomplish.
The organization provides free two-year transitional housing for victims and connects them with healthcare, mental health resources, legal assistance, job training, education, and skill training, as well as a safe place for healing and recovery. You can support the organization in a multitude of ways, from becoming a ‘Freedom Fighter’ to sponsoring a fundraising event to volunteering, and of course, donating.
7. Sparrow Freedom Project
- What they do: Resources + a safe house in Detroit
- How to help: Shop from their Amazon wishlist or get involved
The Sparrow Freedom Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers practical support and survivor-led resources and advocacy. Previously, they had operated a crisis intervention service and center for survivors and other marginalized individuals, connecting them to necessities such as meals, clothing, and home furnishings, as well as legal and medical assistance.
However, the crisis service and center are temporarily paused as the non-profit is currently working with Share Detroit to fix up a safe house that will provide emergency beds and other crucial services for survivors. Due to the cost of repairs, the Sparrow Freedom Project is also accepting donations for the house, as well as donations for ongoing expenses.
8. Sanctum House
- What they do: 24-month residential transitional home and program
- How to help: Volunteer, get involved in advocacy, or donate online
The Sanctum House calls itself a “sanctuary” for survivors, running a safe home for women 18 years and up to help them transition to life after human trafficking. The program runs for 24 months and connects residents to trauma-informed healthcare, financial training, and education. They operate on many levels to help survivors reintegrate into society. The safe home was initially dreamed up in 2013 by founder Edee Frankling and officially opened its doors in 2018.
The Sanctum House is always looking for practical goods for the house, but does ask that you email donations@sanctumhouse.org to see what they are currently in need of and to arrange drop-off. In addition to physical resources, you can also donate money toward other home supplies and expenses online.
9. Sacred Beginnings
- What they do: Drop-in ‘Home Base’ for victims and survivors, along with street outreach
- How to help: Donate money or goods from their ongoing wish list
Sacred Beginnings was founded in 2005 by Leslie King, herself a sex trafficking victim who was coerced in Grand Rapids, Mich. at only the age of fifteen. After escaping in 2000 (a rarity in the human trafficking world, unfortunately), King began working with victims and survivors. In 2005, she founded Sacred Beginnings to serve as a haven for survivors.
Sacred Beginnings has many functions: It operates a ‘Home Base,’ which has served over 2,300 people since 2005, and hands out ‘Blessed Bags’ with personal care items and contact information for individuals on the streets who could be potential victims. Their street outreach program has reached over 20,000 people.
The Home Base is the first ‘drop-in’ physical center where active victims can find resources, support, and a safe place. The Home Base offers educational opportunities, job and life skills training, and sometimes just a tranquil place to rest. Both monetary and physical donations are welcome, and donation drop-offs to the Home Base can be coordinated by emailing cdolehanty@sbtp.org.
10. The House of Promise
- What they do: Live-in safe home and online business with survivor-designed products
- How to help: Shop Bloom, with products made by survivors
A 501c3 nonprofit, the House of Promise was founded by Sherry Montgomery in 2013. Montgomery has been a member of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission between 2019 and 2021 and has extensive experience as a speaker, advocate, and expert on human trafficking in Michigan.
The House of Promise operates a residential home that’s staffed 24/7 and offers rent-free living for residents for up to two years. Food, access to trauma-informed medical and mental health care, education, and life navigation are all included for residents. Montgomery also founded the Bloom Shoppe, an online beauty and wellness store with products designed and/or made by survivors. Bloom offers all-natural soaps and lotions, all created by residents in the House of Promise. Shopping Bloom supports both the survivors and the House of Promise’s overall work and mission—plus, you get a little pampering from your purchase too!
