At Eleison, we believe that the people who have been impacted by an issue should hold a central role in designing, implementing, and evaluating strategies to address the issue. Survivors of human trafficking and/or gender-based violence are experts on their own experiences. For Eleison, being a survivor-centered organization means that survivors’ priorities, needs, experiences, and voices are our work’s primary focus and driving force. It signifies a commitment to centering survivors’ viewpoints, empowerment, and healing throughout our initiatives, programs, and policies.
Given our firm belief in the importance of survivor leadership, we invite our clients to assume leadership roles at Eleison through our Survivor Leadership Council (SLC). The SLC is an advisory board comprised of human trafficking and gender-based violence survivors who have completed at least one of Eleison’s programs. SLC members actively engage in peer mentorship and modeling, collaborate with our staff in co-facilitating activities for new clients, and partner with our staff in ensuring Eleison’s programming remains effective, sustainable, and responsive to the priorities of survivors. It provides a dedicated platform for survivor leaders to influence and shape our work actively and collaboratively, amplifying their voices to strengthen our work and reflect survivors’ diverse needs.
In 2023, Eleison expanded the SLC’s membership by welcoming two new members. We are purposefully growing the SLC to foster greater inclusivity and representation within the council, capture a wider range of survivor experiences and backgrounds, and create more inclusive and effective programming. By incorporating diverse perspectives, we have a more comprehensive understanding of the systematic barriers and challenges faced by survivors and how to develop initiatives to address these nuanced needs. Furthermore, the council empowers survivors and gives them a direct role in decision-making, bolstering agency, ownership, and providing a critical leadership role within the organization.
This expansion is a significant step in Eleison’s effort to create a society where all survivors can heal, thrive, and reclaim their lives. With survivors at the forefront, together we continue to pave the way toward healing, resilience, and a brighter future for all. If you want to get involved in helping elevate the voices of survivors, you can donate here.
