Girls Educational & Mentoring Services

Introduced to Congress earlier this year, the TSRA bill is designed to give survivors legal protections for crimes committed while they were victims of human trafficking through the dismissal of certain convictions and removal of certain arrests from their records. Many survivors leaving the life are faced with numerous challenges, and face additional difficulty securing employment, housing, child custody, and other pathways to stability with criminal records resulting from their exploitation. TSRA has the potential to protect victims and survivors of human trafficking from criminalization and further victimization. Do your representatives support TRSA? https://lnkd.in/gAQNJmFN #tsra #traffickingsurvivorsreliefact

Happy Back-to School Season! With September right around the corner, it's time for many GEMS members and their children to prepare for the school year ahead. Consider donating an item from our back-to-school wishlist to help set our girls and young women continuing their educational journeys up for success! https://a.co/iPh8VHU

On August 26th, Women's Equality Day is celebrated in the United States to commemorate the adoption of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Despite the milestones achieved in the past, the movement of gender equality in the US and abroad is ongoing. #womensequalityday #genderparity 

The first year of a survivor’s healing journey after the life is often the most challenging. When you register for the Survivor’s Guide to Leaving Training, you’re signing up to learn key ways to improve your engagement with victims and survivors in that crucial year. This survivor-created, survivor-facilitated training will be led by GEMS’ Founder & CEO, Rachel Lloyd, and is designed for anyone working directly with survivors of trafficking and the commercial sex industry to effectively use the groundbreaking Survivor’s Guide to Leaving book in their work. This one-of-a-kind training is available at a discounted rate until August 28th – get your tickets now and save! https://lnkd.in/eWM8MrUs 

Today's quote is from Baroness Valerie Amos, former Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs. On this World Humanitarian Day, we are reminded of global movements to address the well-being of those in crisis and aid workers around the world. Through awareness, advocacy, and aid, we collectively advance and reinforce the achievements of humanity. #worldhumanitarianday #actforhumanity

We are so excited to announce our NEW Survivor's Guide to Leaving Training. Led and facilitated by GEMS CEO & Founder, Rachel Lloyd, this training is designed to help providers better understand and support survivors leaving the life. Implementing the practice-based evidence VSL model that GEMS has pioneered, the Survivor’s Guide to Leaving training focuses on the first challenging year in a survivor’s journey. Registration link: https://lnkd.in/eWM8MrUs

Secure and stable housing provides a foundation for safety, stability, and well-being, which is shown in GEMS' outcomes. When people have access to consistent and reliable housing, they are less likely to be in vulnerable situations that traffickers exploit. Help us ensure the future of GEMS housing by donating, purchasing an item off of our housing wishlist, or sharing this post!

In a report released by New Destiny Housing late last month, the organization highlighted the urgent housing needs of domestic violence survivors in New York City. In the United States, homelessness and domestic violence are intrinsically linked. Nearly 80% of women with children struggling with homelessness have also experienced domestic violence, and 57% of all women experiencing homelessness report domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness. Instead of transitioning to long-term housing, more families are moving from shelter to shelter. Last year, only 9% of those in domestic violence shelters transitioned to permanent homes. As such, the need for safe, stable housing for survivors and their families is of paramount importance while they get back on their feet. One of the ways this need can be addressed is by ensuring supportive housing is accessible and adequately funded. That way, survivors can heal and take steps towards their long-term success and well-being, without the risk of re-traumatization for themselves or their children. GEMS housing is available to girls ages 16 - 29 with mother and child capacity - however, due to our recent loss of City Council funding, this no-cost, all encompassing service is in jeopardy. As New York City's housing crisis worsens, we want to continue providing a haven for survivors and their children. Please consider supporting GEMS by making a donation, purchasing an item off our wishlist, or spreading the word! Gothamist Article: https://lnkd.in/eeFgzyKS New Destiny Report: https://lnkd.in/epbBGmuy Donate: https://lnkd.in/eVKjwbGT Wishlist: https://lnkd.in/er9Kb3NG

 Congratulations to Simone Biles and the US Women's gymnastics team for a fierce, legendary, and awe-inspiring showing at the Olympic Games!