Three transportation company founders, friends, and mothers -- Sharon Siar, VP and CFO of Talon Freight Services LLC; Nicole Glenn, founder and CEO of Candor Logistics Management; and Kristy Knichel, president, CEO and owner of Knichel Logistics – joined forces to create Gift of Freedom, a forum that partners with a referral network of organizations and counselors to provide specialized care and rehabilitation for victims of sex trafficking.
“Numerous organizations save trafficked children from their abductors and abusers. However, after a rescue, there are not enough facilities or mental health professionals available to provide counseling services. As a result, many victims return to the streets because it’s all that they know,” Siar says. “We started Gift of Freedom to focus on survivors and help them to reclaim and restart their lives.”
Key takeaways:
- Human trafficking is a global crime in which people are bought and sold for forced labor or commercial sex. After children are rescued, their healing journey with therapy and medical needs has just begun. Often foster families are not equipped to help this level of trauma.
- Gift of Freedom first launched in Texas, which ranks second (after California) in the nation for reported cases of human trafficking.
- Gift of Freedom raises funds to help make the connection between mental health counselors and victims. They are building a strong referral network of mental health professionals willing to provide expert care free of charge to victims of trafficking. Additionally, they provide funding and/or counseling services through Texas Human Trafficking Shelters and Prevention Organizations.
- Gift of Freedom also partners with like-minded organizations, including ministries; law enforcement and government entities; family law attorneys; and social workers.