Zina’s Story
After her father left, Zina* was relegated to sleeping on the streets. Her mother and sister at her side, they stayed alive by begging. They soon gained work by scrubbing...
The Aruna Project
for her freedom TM
Our Mission
Aruna creates lifelong freedom for Survivors of human trafficking, internationally and in the US, by providing sustainable employment and holistic care. By combining nonprofit services and social enterprise solutions, Aruna frees, employs, and empowers.
A Global Issue
Human trafficking is a global issue affecting every country in the world. In certain locations systemic issues like abject poverty, gender inequality, lack of educational opportunity, and government instability coalesce creating an environment where trafficking, specifically sex trafficking, thrives.
23%
Anti-trafficking organizations have reported that in some locations almost eight out of ten women previously freed are re-trafficked resulting in only a 23% success rate.
A Proven Solution
Aruna has created and successfully implemented a vertically integrated model from the point of exploitation to a place of empowerment that frees through equipping and empowers through employing. This Aruna Freedom Process, supported by Aruna's Four Pillars of Holistic Care, provides the key factors necessary to dramatically reduce the re-trafficking rates and facilitate lifelong freedom domestically and internationally.
86%
Aruna is seeing an 86% sustained freedom rate. That is over a 63% decrease in the re-trafficking rates for women served by Aruna, resulting in 3.5x higher likelihood of lifelong freedom.
Our Challenge
In the US, human trafficking crimes are reported across
All 50 States
In India alone there are at least
8,000,000
people living in modern slavery.
(Representing 1/5 of global victims. 70% of these victims are women and girls.)
Only 23%
The problem is pervasive and the long term solutions are limited. Numerous nonprofits report that only 23% of those freed remain free 12 months later. Re-trafficking is one of the most significant challenges facing the anti-trafficking effort.
Our Approach
Aruna combines the best of non-profit and for-profit to provide holistic care and a pathway to freedom for survivors of human trafficking.
Advocate
1
Build Awareness & Engagement
Race Events, Ongoing Fundraising
Free
2
Create a Pathway to Freedom
Outreach Centers, Trusted Advocacy
Equip
3
Grow Independence
Transitional Housing, Training Centers, Skills & Trade Development
Employ
4
Produce Premium Athleisure
Sustainable, Premium Materials, High-Quality, On-Trend Design
Empower
5
Strengthen Survivors
Community, Career Advancement, Developed Opportunities.
Amplify
6
Share Freedom Stories
Lifelong Freedom, Sustainable Independence
1
Advocate
Aruna Runs & Events
Local community leaders and members volunteer to host Aruna Runs to raise awareness of human trafficking and take action to help create lifelong freedom. Each participant runs for a woman by name that Aruna is working to set free.
Funds raised through Aruna Runs, other events, and individual donors are utilized to free victims, then employ and empower them as they move forward as survivors.
2
Free
Outreach Centers
Aruna Outreach Centers help create pathways to freedom and provide initial stages of holistic care for victims of sex trafficking.
The Outreach Teams go into brothel systems and places of exploitation on a daily basis utilizing trauma-informed strategies built on trust and empowering personal agency.
These strategies help in freeing victims and beginning the Aruna Four Pillars of Holistic Care.
3
Equip
Training Centers
Aruna Training Centers provide a safe place, unhurried time, and exceptional care and training to ensure survivor employability and restored personal agency.
Once freed, a survivor receives Transitional Housing with life skill development and growth opportunities in areas of personal interest.
Additionally, she can enter a paid soft goods manufacturing Apprenticeship Program supported with in depth holistic care centered on trauma counseling, resulting in employment placement after graduation.
4
Employ & Empower
Social Enterprise
The objective of the Aruna Social Enterprise is to provide a safe, fun, professional work environment with continuous holistic care to ensure lifelong freedom while excelling at producing premium Athleisure bags and accessories.
Survivors earn benefits from an annual salary to retirement savings to access to health care while developing their soft goods manufacturing expertise.
5
Amplify
USA Team
All Aruna products are survivor-made. The products are imported into and inventoried in the US, enabling Aruna to employ US survivors as key team members on the US team.
Through donations and product sales, survivor voices are amplified, their freedom is sustained, and the freedom impact is multiplied.
Our Impact
160+
Women have been freed, employed & empowered
560+
Children & family members are no longer at risk.
Over 8,400+
Victims have received direct care services.
3.5x More Likely
Women who go through the Aruna Freedom Process are 3.5x more likely to achieve lasting independence and freedom.
86% Success Rate
Through the Aruna Freedom Process supported by the Four Pillars of Holistic Care, Aruna is seeing an 86% success rate. That’s over a 63% decrease in re-trafficking rates for women served by Aruna.
What we do together makes a difference. One woman at a time.
Meet Priya
A journey from exploitation to empowerment.
View Story
More Survivor Stories
Suman’s Story
I was terrified at how fast the needle in the machine moved. It pulled the fabric forward so aggressively and left its marks so permanently. I wasn’t sure I could...
Priya’s Story
Human trafficking exists in virtually every country around the world, but in some locations certain factors coalesce so that it thrives to the traumatic detriment of those most vulnerable. Priya’s...
Our Values
Accept the Challenge
This work is difficult, messy and unpredictable. We are solutions-oriented and self-motivated. Bring it on.
Work with Excellence
What we do impacts lives. We strive to achieve the best in all we do. From top to bottom, attentiveness matters.
Remember Why
Aruna exists for her freedom. We are moved with compassion, fueling action. We persevere with her.
Be Humbly Confident
In a world of overstated hype, we are transparent and honest. We embrace reality to learn and grow. We are clear, true, genuine, and great at what we do.
Value People
First things first, people are more important than tasks. We celebrate others' wins. We serve without expectation of return.
Our Sustainability
Aruna exists to create sustainable employment for women overcoming trafficking, and that same purpose shapes every product we make. Our bags are thoughtfully crafted with environmentally responsible materials, including recycled polyester, recyclable aluminum trims, and bluesign® approved fabrics, ensuring long-lasting quality with a lighter footprint.