In 2022, Eleison has expanded its programs and services to serve more survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. As a women-led organization comprised of experienced practitioners, researchers, and survivor leaders, we center the voices of survivors and work tirelessly to improve the quality of care.
As 2022 comes to an end, our team is still busy providing services to survivors in crisis, with our staff on call to provide round-the-clock crisis intervention support throughout the holiday season. Thus far in 2022, we are pleased to have served 125 survivors through our various programs, including 286 client engagements in our typhoon response program and 195 additional program sessions with clients.
While we are proud of the many ways our team has grown in 2022, we would like to highlight two particular programs of significance in 2022. First, one of our accomplishments for the year was the Odette Emergency Response (OER) program, a four-phase emergency response program carried out by our team of five from December 2021 to April 2022. This crisis program provided crucial support to survivors, many of whom had lost their houses and access to basic food and water. Throughout the crisis, Eleison staff visited clients’ houses to personally provide emergency relief supplies to 68 families, including food, water, and hygiene kits. Additionally, we provided 114 emergency cash transfers to clients to help them rebuild their homes and cover other urgent needs. We also prioritized mental health support and referrals for other community services, including psychosocial support, crisis intervention, and psychological debriefs in a total of 218 psychosocial support sessions.
Another notable achievement for 2022 was the launch of the Healing and Resilience after Trauma (HaRT) program, an innovative mind-body intervention that addresses the urgent need for evidence-based mental health programs for survivors in community-based settings. In 2022, we began the first two HaRT cohorts with 11 survivors and a total of 24 weekly sessions. From the sessions, participants expressed feeling physically relaxed, socially accepted, and emotionally supported as they discovered how to take care of their bodies, set personal boundaries, and develop healthier relationships with others. Simultaneously, we are partnering with the University of Alabama to conduct a mixed-methods evaluation of the intervention with three cohorts of HaRT participants. This research study assesses how the program affects survivors’ social and mental health, contributing to the global evidence base on community-based mental health programs for survivors.
While we have made great strides, we cannot do it alone. In order to meet our mission and achieve our goals, we rely on the assistance of generous community-minded individuals, especially now as we face the daunting challenges of this economic crisis.
We’re one step closer to a better future. Make a significant impact in the lives of human trafficking and gender-based violence survivors. Donate here today.
