FAAST Training Series Visits Philadelphia

World Hope International and its partners in the Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAAST) traveled to Philadelphia on April 16 – 18 to share strategies for fighting human trafficking worldwide. This Training of Trainers seminar was designed to raise awareness of trafficking in the US and abroad and to equip attendees with skills to work to end human trafficking.

The training was hosted by The Salvation Army of Philadelphia and brought together 25 representatives from The Salvation Army, Catholic Social Services, World Hope International, Cornerstone Community Church of Philadelphia, and other Christian community members who work to fight trafficking at many different levels. Attendees were exposed to a wide variety of situations experienced by those working with women and children who have been trafficked. The seminar taught skills for identifying trafficking victims, implementing intervention and care techniques, and understanding the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of survivors. The training also served to bring together participants with common goals to form new anti-trafficking partnerships within the Philadelphia area.

At the end of the training the attendees were called to action by listing next steps to address the needs of trafficking survivors in their particular fields. Understanding the work of peers fighting trafficking and the common goals of the group serves to emphasize the global effect local efforts may have. “We can all take a small bite, and those small bites equal one big one,” said Lisa Thompson of The Salvation Army’s National Headquarters.

Click here to see a schedule of upcoming FAAST Training of Trainers events. To make a gift to WHI Anti-trafficking or to FAAST, click here.