Our Impact | Creating Freedom with Aruna Project

Free. Employ. Empower.

Aruna creates lifelong freedom for victims of human trafficking by providing sustainable employment and holistic care. By combining nonprofit services and freedom business solutions, Aruna frees, employs, and empowers.

FREE

Our outreach centers help create pathways to freedom and provide holistic care for victims of human trafficking.

EMPLOY

Our training centers help equip survivors with the skills they need for independence and employment.

EMPOWER

Our freedom business, driven by sales from Artisan-crafted products, creates lifelong independence for survivors.

Our Challenges.

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.)

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 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.

As many as 8 out of 10 victims who are freed are re-trafficked, which is only a 20% success rate.

From exploitation to empowerment, Aruna’s distinctive mix of providing sustained support through the entire process with Aruna’s Four Pillars of Holistic Care, we have seen an over 63% reduction in re-trafficking rates and an over 86% sustained freedom rate both internationally and domestically.

What we do together makes a difference. One woman at a time.

Aruna has developed a vertically integrated model to specifically address the problem of re-trafficking.

Meet Priya

A journey from exploitation to empowerment.

“My father, desperate for money, sent me away…I was sold for $400. I was 13. I wanted to die.”

EXPLOITATION

70% of human trafficking victims are women and girls.

"After years of abuse and a life that was “brutal, dehumanizing and unforgiving”…I was found in an alley, left to die. The Aruna team “gave me a reason to live."

...the Aruna team gave me a reason to live."

OUTREACH CENTERS

Aruna’s Outreach Centers are located in concentrated areas of trafficking and local brothel systems. Through daily outreach, trusted advocacy and providing direct services, the Outreach teams help create a pathway to freedom for trafficking victims.

TRAINING CENTERS

Once freed, she enters transitional housing locations and is given the opportunity to enroll in the Aruna Apprenticeship Program, where she receives trauma counseling, life skill training, skill & trade development, a monthly financial stipend and future employment opportunity in Aruna’s Freedom Business and Freedom Business partners.

"This place, these people, this life, is where I’m meant to be. I enjoy my freedom, do things my way, became a master in tailoring, and help bring freedom to other women just like me."

FREEDOM BUSINESS

Each Artisan has access to stage 2 transitional housing moving to independent living. She earns a competitive wage, health care, retirement savings and receives ongoing trauma counseling. She joins a team of other survivors to produce premium quality Aruna Athleisure products utilizing eco-friendly recycled fabrics and trims

"My work helps bring freedom to other women just like me."

aruna artisans cutting fabric at the freedom business

EMPOWERMENT

Artisans develop and grow in a safe community with access to career advancement in Aruna and access to developed opportunities outside of Aruna. Through their strength, others benefit -- some are also freed, others are no longer at risk for being trafficked.