Around the world, children who are orphaned or in foster care are at an elevated risk for human trafficking and exploitation. Free for Life International is passionate about protecting future generations from cycles of abuse — our goal is to increase education about risk factors to foster community change and better protect children and youth in need.
On May 26th, 2022 – as part of National Foster Care Month – Free for Life International hosted a one-of-a-kind, virtual conference to examine this important intersection point.
This innovative conference brings together experts in domestic and international child protection, law enforcement, and anti-human trafficking. This offered an exciting opportunity to collaborate across sectors and communities for one common goal: protecting children and youth from human trafficking and exploitation.
Request the free recording here!
MEET OUR
SPEAKERS
Jason Wilkerson
Special Agent – Criminal Investigator
Human Trafficking Unit
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
As a career law enforcement officer, Jason will share about his unique experience intervening in cases of human trafficking and runaway youth. He will discuss the connection points between the systems of law enforcement and child services, as well as what gaps exist.
Tiffani P
Board Member & Survivor Advisor – Free for Life International
Founder – GloryB
Tiffani is a survivor of human trafficking through the foster care system and has chosen to share parts of her lived experience. She will touch on what assistance could have helped her as a child and the gaps she has identified as the founder of her own organization serving in this space.
Gabrielle Thompson
Executive Director & CEO – Free for Life International
Gabrielle Thompson has served as Free for Life International’s Executive Director & CEO for the past seven years. She will focus on her international and domestic experience as an anti-trafficking practitioner and the role of prevention education in cutting the first link of exploitation and abuse.
Nicole Wilke
Director – Applied Research & Best Practice Initiative
Christian Alliance for Orphans
Nicole has extensive experience with foster and orphan care, trauma recovery, children with special needs and OVC research. She will focus on the research-driven side of international child protection and care.
Kara Sievers
Former Social Worker with Experience in Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Refugee and Immigrant Work
Kara brings a background in social work and a passion for empowering vulnerable people from every background. She will focus on her time spent working with teens and adolescents and the red flags she encountered that pointed to exploitation and abuse.
Nelson Paulino
Founder & CEO – Casa Misionera
Casa Misionera opens doors of opportunities in ministry to young adults in the Dominican Republic. Nelson will share about his experience with the orphan care system in Latin America and the need for collaboration between youth empowerment and anti-trafficking efforts.
Retail Orphan Initiative
The purpose of Retail Orphan Initiative is to raise awareness and provide real solutions for more than 400 million vulnerable children worldwide. They partner with organizations serving this need across nearly 20 countries.
Our One-of-a-kind Prevention Curriculum