Restore NYC

We’re thrilled for the release of Trade of Innocents in the fall and want to invite you into our excitement. We’re interviewing people and organizations on the subject of human trafficking in preparation for the movie. Perhaps you’ve heard of some of our friends. Maybe some of these names will be new to you.

You may recognize the Empire State building, the Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park as some of the distinguishing marks of NYC. Today, we want to introduce you to one more of NYC’s notable facets. Meet Faith Huckel from Restore NYC, a non-profit dedicated to fighting trafficking and empowering survivors in New York City:

1. What exposure to human trafficking led to the formation and your involvement with Restore NYC? How did you find out about the needs and how did you know where to start meeting them?

I first learned about the effects of prostitution in 2002 working as a Social Worker in my native city of Philadelphia. I provided case management and other support services to at-risk mothers. My clients came from a background of poverty and abuse, predominantly sexual abuse and prostitution. One client in particular periodically became trapped in prostitution in order to buy food and clothes for her children. It was then that I realized that the true nature of prostitution is a symptom of poverty.

I moved to NYC in 2003 to attend graduate school at ColumbiaUniversity. This was the same year that President George W. Bush had given a speech to theUN  that concluded with regarding human trafficking as a “modern day form of slavery.”  

A few months later, The New York Times Magazine ran a front coverarticle on human trafficking  in America.   I was shocked after reading this article to learn that an organized transcontinental trade of human beings existed for the purpose of sex. In order to discover more, I made human trafficking the focus of my graduate studies. I was horrified learning about the abuse suffered by victims and became obsessed with finding solutions. I kept asking the question, “What does NYC need most for survivors of sex trafficking?” and to my surprise, received the same answer over and over again, which was the need for safehousing.

Late one night in 2004, sitting at a kitchen table, myself and two friends started brainstorming of different ways that we could affect change in the city.  Unanimously, we all desired to provide safehousing to foreign-born survivors of sex trafficking.

Three years after that conversation, I left my job to launch Restore with a $17,000 grant and my laptop. At the time, there were very few models for serving this population in a way that myself and the other founders had hoped – long-term housing that provides culturally and linguistically tailored services in a warm, home-like environment.

In 2009, Restore hired a program manager and we subsequently began providing services to clients through Queens Criminal Court. Asian women (mostly Chinese and Korean) arrested on prostitution charges were referred to Restore for services through the court’s “Alternative to Incarceration Program” in order to screen for sex trafficking. In October 2010, Restore expanded its programs and opened its doors to the very first long-term safehouse specific to foreign-born survivors in New York City.

Today Restore has served over 340 clients, and will open its second safehouse in NJ in the fall. We have also expanded our outreach services in the courts to include Midtown Community Court (Manhattan) and Nassau County Community Court (Long Island).

 2. How would you describe the role of Restore NYC and its impact in the fight to abolish trafficking?

Restore NYC’s mission is to end sex trafficking in New York and restore the well-being and independence of foreign-national survivors. Working to this end, we:

• Deliver complete care, addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

• Provide safe, long-term housing.

• Support and empower survivors when they cooperate with law enforcement.

• Increase awareness and understanding in the greater community.

• Advocate for effective policies and legislation.

Our role is to reverse the cycle of sex trafficking in NYC and nationally by utilizing a comprehensive effort of advocacy, raising awareness, and providing complete care for survivors.

3. What surprised you the most in learning about human trafficking?

What surprised me the most about human trafficking was the fact that there were so few safehouses in the nation and around the world for survivors. After a woman is either released or escapes slavery, they need a safe place to live and recover. Without the availability of a safehouse, the rates of returning to slavery are enormously high.

4. How has your vision been shaped in this process?

The vision to provide the best quality of care to survivors with an emphasis on holistic, long-term, and culturally and linguistically tailored services (specifically safehousing) has remained the same from the very beginning. The vision has continued to expand to bring advocacy into greater focus through effective policies and legislation.

5. How can the average citizen get involved with Restore NYC or help in the fight against human trafficking?

The average citizen can get involved with Restore NYC by visiting our website and making a financial donation . Each contribution makes a huge impact in helping us to maintain and grow our programs. Individuals can even create a MyRestore page  and donate their birthday or a wedding.

6. What is one of your favorite memories from your time with Restore NYC?

One of my favorite memories at Restore NYC was the day that I received the keys to our first safehouse. I had been dreaming of that day for about six years and to finally see the vision come to fruition was overwhelming. I remember standing in the empty house with the keys in my hand and tears running down my face, feeling so thankful for all of the sleepless nights, hard work, and devoted supporters because every part of the journey was worth it.

7. If you could travel any place in the universe for free, where would you go?

This is such a hard question to answer because there are so many places that I want to go! But if I have to choose, it would probably be India. I have always been fascinated by the diversity and richness of the culture. Also, I love Indian food.

Thank you, Faith, for making us aware of RestoreNYC’s work and the needs in our city!

Be in the know by FOLLOWing @RestoreNYC on Twitter.
Like what Restore NYC is doing? LIKE them on Facebook!
READRestore NYC’s blogs.

Stay current on all the latest news about Trade Of Innocents by visiting our website, or Facebook page, and view our new trailer on You Tube.