Thrive – Offering education and support for parents, guardians, or caregivers of youth who have experienced sexual exploitation

When we think about teenagers who are survivors of trafficking, we often think about their circumstance through the lens of the youth, or even from the social services perspective. What we often don’t think about is the perspective of the caregiver.

Parents and guardians of youth affected by human trafficking and sexual exploitation have a unique set of experiences, concerns and needs that are often unmet. In 2016, Allies developed a curriculum specifically designed for these caregivers called Thrive. Thrive is a 10-session curriculum that covers a variety of topics centering on the themes of understanding human trafficking and trauma, relationship, and safety in a confidential and non-judgmental group setting with other parents and guardians.

Allies is honored to walk with these adults providing education and tools for success but also with a form of support and empathy that only others who have similar experiences can provide.

Hear from participants themselves as they reflect on the impact Thrive has had on their lives:

“I am using everything you ladies are teaching me with ALL of my kids. I did boundaries with my youth last week during family therapy, and I took a moment and paused before reacting to my adult daughter as well.”  

“The most helpful thing that stuck out to me was being able to put myself in my kids shoes, recognizing her trauma, seeing her trying to articulate that but not knowing how.”

 “I didn’t have boundaries set. When you don’t have boundaries, you have chaos. Learning how to set boundaries and stick to them with respect to how others are feeling was important.”

“To another parent, I would say give it a chance, even if you are apprehensive. If you want change, take the group. It’s brain food. You can take these skills and incorporate them in all walks of life, including being a better parent.”

“I think self-care is really important because a lot of us don’t really do that . . . I’ve learned how to make a better home and a better me.”

“You find common ground. You learn from each other. I’ve learned a lot from [other participants]. That was important, bouncing off of each other.”