Case Management
- Routine check-ins and follow-up on individual goals
- Accompaniment to various city agencies
- Advocacy on behalf of education, employment, legal, housing, public benefits, etc. issues
- Public assistance and housing application/voucher support
- Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
- Danger/lethality assessments and safety planning
- Information and referrals for medical, mental health, legal, and social services
Legal Screenings & Consultations
Full representation and referrals will be made on a case-by-case basis. Legal services include:
- Immigration relief, including T Visas, U Visas, VAWA, and Asylum cases
- Criminal defense, including active warrants and charges, as well as vacatur of prior criminal convictions
- Family Court representation, including custody, visitation, child support, and matrimonial matters, as well as orders of protection
- Administration of Children’s Services representation, including through the investigation stage, during open cases, and in expungement hearings
- Collateral legal services, including Victim-Witness advocacy
- Referrals to a specialist for any services not within EMPOWER practice areas
- Information and referrals for medical, mental health, legal, and social services
Learn more about Sanctuary’s legal services
Mental Health at Jacobi and Woodhull Hospital
- One-on-one therapy by licensed Psychologist (Jacobi)
- One-on-one psychiatric care by licensed Psychiatrist (Woodhull)
- Psychiatric and psychological evaluations
- Virtual visits available if deemed suitable
Obstetrics & Gynecology at Woodhull Hospital
- Routine gynecological care
- Prenatal care
- Contraception
- Asylum affidavits for female genital mutilation/cutting and other scars
- Affidavits for gender-based violence immigration matters
Primary Care at Woodhull Hospital
- Routine check-ups
- Vaccinations
- Sick visits
- Management of chronic health conditions
- Referral to sub-specialists as needed
- Virtual visits available if deemed suitable
Peer Care Navigation
Guidance and support from people who have been in the sex trade.
- Coordinates with clients and the EMPOWER team to ensure consistent and client-centered delivery of EMPOWER’s wrap-around services
- Reduces barriers to care through client accompaniment to medical, legal, social service, and out-patient substance use appointments
- Develops mentorship packets based on the client’s personal aspirations & life goals
- Supports clients to develop interpersonal effectiveness skills & build relationships with other providers
- Educates on healthy relationship boundaries
- Supports clients in developing self-advocacy & time management skills
- Supports with case management goals, including danger/lethality safety planning & suicide safety planning
- Leads individual and/or group outdoor wellness events, including trips to museums, parks & cultural events
- Facilitates group art activities to promote self-empowerment, self-actualization, self-esteem, and self-confidence
Thriving Services
We recognize that many of our clients have been socially isolated, prevented from building healthy relationships and subject to violence and abuse at important developmental stages. This is why we offer our Thriving Programming. These are wellness workshops that run throughout the year, intended to build community, healing, and promote self-exploration. Previous workshops have included:
- Art
- Meditation
- Yoga and Muay Thai
- Self-defense classes
- Nutrition and cooking classes
- Support group
Group Workshops
Economic Empowerment Workshops
We partner with University of Maryland and Marriot International to provide a hospitality training curriculum for survivors of trafficking.
Ending the Game Workshops
EMPOWER staff are trained in a “coercion resiliency” curriculum created by survivors that reduces feelings of attachment to traffickers and/or a lifestyle, thereby reducing the rate of recidivism among sex trafficking survivors.
Family Support Workshops
A space for all family members of clients who are interested in learning about Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Red Flags, Indicators, and how to support someone engaged in the sex trade.
Economic Empowerment
The EMPOWER Center Economic Empowerment Specialist utilizes a trauma-informed approach to promote each client’s right to self-determination. This service emphasizes safety, respect and dignity.
Services include:
- Career exploration and employment assistance (career fairs, networking, resume editing, cover letters)
- Financial management skills
- Vocational training and education (ESOL classes, GED, HHA …)
- Professional counseling and mentorship
- Entrepreneurship mentoring and connection to NGOs that assist with micro-grants
- Economic empowerment workshop
