Traffick Free Inc.

As a board member, I have been involved for the last year, I remain inspired by the organization's efforts to provide training and community engagement. The focus to educating people about the signs of human trafficking and essential to stopping human trafficking and helping the most vulnerable. I support the mission and efforts of a best-in-class nonprofit.

Much like other small non-profits, the pandemic was not kind and the new executive director, Gina, has had to make some important decisions regarding the direction of this agency. She tapped into the community, brought folks on board with both expertise as well as new energy, and Traffick Free is powering through, continuing to make an impact in the field of anti-human trafficking and I am excited for the future. This agency will reach new audiences as they continue education and awareness which, in turn, will allow for more community identification of human trafficking, more services offered, and more convictions reached.

As a former board member to an organization offering transitional housing, counseling, and substance use prevention education to youth I've seen first-hand the rapid growth and devastating effect of human trafficking. It's an unconscionable and inhumane criminal act that often exploits our most vulnerable populations and individuals. Traffick Free's noble mission helps raise awareness by collaborating with, educating, and informing key stakeholders across the community to help prevent trafficking and report possible victimization. Their well-versed and experienced speakers tailor content to equip audiences with the information most applicable and beneficial for their purposes. I've worked with Traffick Free board members, am a donor, and recommend supporting their admirable work and mission to end the demand for human trafficking.

Traffick Free's mission is incredibly important as they aim to provide education and outreach to the greater community to assist survivors, community members, and others at risk of human trafficking. By reaching out to social workers, law enforcement, businesses, and financial institutions, the organization ensures their mission is both wide-reaching and accessible.

I interacted with members of this non-profit through a former client. Its mission is so important and I do feel better equipped to spot the warning signs, having knowledge of the trainings and their speakers. I hope to have the chance to dig deeper into the issues through follow-up trainings or even having a speaker come into our organization.

Deborah's Place had the great pleasure of hosting a training for staff led by Gina Parisi in 2022. Gina spoke at length and in detail about how our staff - primarily case managers who work with unhoused women - could be better attuned to the needs and experiences of people who have been trafficked. Gina took our staff's questions in stride and created an environment of curiosity and openness. Traffick Free and Gina Parisi are doing an incredible job educating the general public and service providers on how to honor and support people who have experienced sex trafficking.

Traffick Free raises awareness of human trafficking through education and community outreach. It helps professionals and community members to better identify human trafficking in their everyday lives and provide resources to assist victims, survivors, and those who are at risk. TraffickFree makes a meaningful difference in our community!

Really love working with this organization to promote education around human trafficking. They are a dedicated team of diverse professionals and do wonderful, free presentations for the community

Great organization serving women in crisis situations due to exploitation and educating communities about the realities of human trafficking here in Chicago.

Traffick Free is focused on their participants. They are mission driven and do all they can to help those caught in human trafficking. Their new crisis intervention program is a testament to their dedication to combat human trafficking and help survivors.

There are so many misconceptions about human trafficking out there. One of the biggest misconceptions is that trafficking is something that doesn’t happen here and is something that happens in foreign countries. That is untrue. I’ve worked with so many survivors in Chicago. This problem disproportionately affects women, especially women of color. The trauma that survivors experience make getting any sort of help difficult. Survivors may have substance abuse issues, trust issues, or even trauma bonds with their abusers. All of these things make adhering to strict rules that organizations and programs require near impossible. That’s where the uniqueness and specialness of Traffick Free comes in. They don’t drug test, they don’t have any invasive, re-traumatizing intake questionnaires and have like a total open door policy. No questions asked at all! Traffick Free believes in the power of choice.. something survivors were stripped of. They offer options of different meals, toiletries, clothes and aid that survivors can choose from. They don’t push survivors into anything that they don’t want. Having a program like this in Chicago is so important.

I worked as a volunteer to help the executive director upgrade and improve the drop in center. She has a very clear and dedicated idea of what the center should be to create a warm, peaceful and safe environment to anyone entering through the door. We cleaned, painted, collected clothes, shoes, toiletries and food to make it feel like “home”. In the end, it was what she aspired it to be and I cannot imagine anyone not feeling safe and welcome at a time when they needed it most. The resources, dedication and center are a vision come true for the staff and clients!

Love this non-profit that does everything it can to be a first point of contact for trafficked women in the Chicagoland area. From providing transportation needs, hygiene products, or a safe place to have access to rest and resources at their drop-in center, this organization has the interests of the women they serve as their first priority always.

Traffick Free is an inspiring organization, serving a crucial need for drop-in support services for survivors of trafficking in Chicago. It has helped an incredible number of women since opening its drop-in space and continues to do great work!

A friend told me about this organization years ago and the impactful work they are doing all over Chicago and she was so right! It took me a while (more like almost a year) to get involved but once I understood the hands on focus and how vital the volunteers really are, I also wanted to get involved and make a difference! Now after almost 3 years of volunteering with this great group of people, I can honestly say they work diligently to help some of Chicago's most vulnerable and are a much needed resource for the city. Be forewarned - this isn't your cookie cutter volunteer experience - there's room for fresh ideas, perspectives and ways of working as well as hands on work to be done depending on your skill set and desires. From events and fundraising to painting and working with human trafficking survivors - the needs are as diverse as the awesome people you're volunteering alongside and there is always more to do pending your availability.

Traffick Free is an excellent organization that seeks to serve the most vulnerable people in the city of Chicago. This organization has exceptional leadership. It has many highly qualified and committed volunteers. I have loved volunteering with Traffick Free over the last 3 years. Looking forward to many more!!

Traffick Free is thoughtfully run. It doesn't remain stuck in raising awareness and then congratulating itself on doing so, but is instead filled with people dedicated to meeting the tangible needs identified by local law enforcement and others in the field.

Traffick Free's dedication and passion is influential and inspiring. The quality of work they produce is impressive given that they are an all volunteer staff comprised of volunteers juggling full-time work/school and personal lives.

Traffick Free is a forward thinking and dedicated organization committing to ending human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Staffed by kind, altruistic and incredibly intelligent individuals, we are currently working to open a drop in center for those being exploited in Chicago.

I occasionally volunteer with Traffick Free and also support their events because they are very dedicated to working on a cause that is too often overlooked. They make positive changes happen because their members are just as passionate as their leadership. I also feel good about financially donating this organization because I know my money is going directly to the cause. I have learned so much from my time with Traffick Free and feel confident supporting them to my friends, family, and on social media. Keep up the amazing hard work, Traffick Free.

I joined the Board of Traffick Free several years ago and have been so impressed by the organization's growth and passion from day one. It has transformed from a nascent charity to a recognized and trusted partner in Chicago-land, trying to combat human trafficking. The leadership team is an amazing group of dedicated people who give so generously of their time and talent. This is a worldwide crime and Chicago is not impervious to its malice. Traffick Free has historically been raising public awareness and assisting survivors. The next chapter for the charity is to open a much needed drop-in center in the city. This is an amazing organization that will help transform lives and bring light to the darkest corners of society.

Traffick Free is a powerhouse in the Chicago anti-trafficking space. Having started as a fledgling church ministry with a handful of volunteers in 2009, it has grown into a strong contender in the fight to end trafficking in Chicagoland and beyond. The organization welcomes volunteers and clients from all walks of life, despite being faith-focused, which shows genuine care and inclusivity for this issue, volunteers, and most importantly, victims. Having been a founding leader of TF, it has been such an honor to pass the baton to the current director and her leadership team. They have achieved much success and growth in the past five years, specifically the expansion of providing direct services in addition to spreading public awareness and building meaningful partnerships with other anti-trafficking entities. This is a world-class organization, completely volunteer-run, with a dedicated team and tangible vision to end trafficking in Chicago.

I started as an intern with Traffick Free and became the Research Specialist over the course of a year and a half. The Traffick Free team cares about bringing awareness to the community on the issue of human trafficking as well as taking direct action through their efforts to open a 24 hour drop-in center and working with partner organizations. Traffick Free has and will continue to make a difference in minimizing this social injustice in the city of Chicago.

Read the mission statement and ask yourself if Traffick Free is a centered organization committed to making a difference in this world. I can't imagine a city the size of Chicago not having an agency focused on stamping out human trafficking and assisting those damaged by its practices. Thank goodness for Traffick Free. I have been a donor, supporter and concerned citizen standing with Traffick Free for about two years. The executive director has done a masterful job harnessing the talents of a volunteer staff working together to advance its cause. Today their efforts have centered around education and programming. Their events 'ring the bell' and create awareness. Soon, their services will step up a notch when they open a Drop in Center for those victimized by human trafficking. I can't think of a more worthwhile undertaking. Can't say enough about Traffick Free. This is a special organization. One with purpose, with conviction and with soul.