Empowering Human Trafficking Survivors

Presenter: Leya Sanchez, Neurobiology and Physiology, Global Public Health Scholars

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For my practicum, I was an intern for the Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center’s Economic Empowerment (EE) program located on the University of Maryland’s campus. As an intern for the EE program, we focused on the development of the program by identifying the specific need. Ms. Ashley Greene, Ms. Heidi Alvarez, and I decided to finish an open project focusing on employment support services concerning job readiness for human trafficking survivors. With this said, I prepared a powerpoint presentation on “How to Write a Solid Resume & Cover Letter.” Currently, we are planning to further develop talking points for the presentation as well as a reservoir of quality resume templates for human trafficking survivors to utilize for guidance. This practicum was not what I expected to have as a biological sciences major with a concentration in neurobiology and physiology, aspiring to be a Physician Assistant. However, from my years in Global Public Health scholars, I have learned that the medicinal world intercedes in both science and public health. So, I learned that it is important to broaden one’s perspective in order to effectively address health matters. Although my practicum does not directly address public health, it can be a determining factor. From FMSC 110S and the many colloquium courses we have had, I have further learned that these factors or social determinants of health impact the quality of healthcare one may receive – especially one’s socioeconomic status. A survivor who is overcoming trauma may not be in the most stable financial position due to external factors that restrict their resources/opportunities. As a result, human trafficking survivors may be highly susceptible to poverty traps due to a lack of financial literacy, aid, and guidance. Supporting them in employment services opens a door of opportunities for them so that they can afford quality health services and learn preventative measures to avoid poverty traps. Furthermore, Ms. Alvarez told me that globalization/collaboration is key in helping marginalized communities, which is the embodiment of the SAFE Center as it is a collaborative initiative between UMCP and UMB.