The EMPOWER Center

A comprehensive health center for people in the sex trade*

A partnership between Health + Hospitals – Gouverneur and Sanctuary for Families

Through free, high-quality, and trauma-informed medical, clinical, legal, and case management services, we help people in the sex trade lead healthy and independent lives.

Refer a client

Questions? Contact us at empower@sffny.org

* The sex trade includes but is not limited to street-based, brothel, and web, gang and family-facilitated prostitution; stripping, sexual massages, pornography, and escort service.

Services for All

We provide skilled and sensitive services to everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, and age.

Case management

Case management

Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
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
Danger/lethality assessments and safety planning
Information and referrals for medical, mental health, legal, and social services

Legal screenings &
consultations

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

Learn more about our legal services

Mental Health

Mental Health

Referrals for substance use disorders
Individual & group counseling led by licensed clinical social workers

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Obstetrics & Gynecology

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

Primary Care

Routine check-ups
Vaccinations
Sick visits
Management of chronic health conditions
Referral to sub-specialists as needed

Peer Care Navigation

Peer Care Navigation

Guidance and support from people who have been in the sex trade.

Our Peer Care Navigator:

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
Leads individual and/or group outdoor wellness events, including trips to museums, parks & cultural events
Supports clients to develop interpersonal effectiveness skills & build relationships with other providers
Facilitates art activities to promote self-empowerment, self-actualization, self-esteem, and self-confidence
Educates on healthy relationship boundaries
Develops mentorship packets based on the client’s personal aspirations & life goals
Supports with case management goals, including danger/lethality safety planning & suicide safety planning
Supports clients in developing self-advocacy & time management skills

Thriving Services

Thriving Services

Community building and self-exploration through:

Art workshops
Yoga and Muay Thai
Nutrition and cooking classes
Support group

Economic Empowerment

Economic Empowerment

The EMPOWER Center Economic Empowerment Specialist utilizes a trauma-informed approach to promote each client’s right to self-determination; the program 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

Case management
Legal screenings &
consultations
Mental Health
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Primary care
Peer Care Navigation
Thriving Services
Economic Empowerment

Case management

Suicide Risk Assessment and Safety Planning
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
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

Learn more about our legal services

Mental Health

Referrals for substance use disorders
Individual & group counseling led by licensed clinical social workers

Obstetrics & Gynecology

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

Routine check-ups
Vaccinations
Sick visits
Management of chronic health conditions
Referral to sub-specialists as needed

Peer Care Navigation

Guidance and support from people who have been in the sex trade.

Our Peer Care Navigator:

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
Leads individual and/or group outdoor wellness events, including trips to museums, parks & cultural events
Supports clients to develop interpersonal effectiveness skills & build relationships with other providers
Facilitates art activities to promote self-empowerment, self-actualization, self-esteem, and self-confidence
Educates on healthy relationship boundaries
Develops mentorship packets based on the client’s personal aspirations & life goals
Supports with case management goals, including danger/lethality safety planning & suicide safety planning
Supports clients in developing self-advocacy & time management skills

Thriving Services

Community building and self-exploration through:

Art workshops
Yoga and Muay Thai
Nutrition and cooking classes
Support group

Economic Empowerment

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

Training & Community Outreach

Our staff frequently collaborate with city, state and federal agencies, courts, consulates, hospitals, medical professionals, community-based organizations and schools to identify and assist trafficking survivors and youth at risk of exploitation. If you or a group you represent are interested in receiving training on the risks and warning signs of sexual exploitation, skills and strategies to reduce risk, and rights and resources available to survivors, please go to our Outreach & Training page to learn more.

Request a training Download our flyer

Guiding Principles

Culturally and linguistically sensitive

Respectful & empowering services
delivered without judgment

Trauma-informed care

Client-focused

Strengths-based

Collaboration

Launched in 2020, the EMPOWER Center is a new collaboration between NYC Health + Hospitals – Gouverneur, a New York City hospital located in the Lower East Side, and Sanctuary for Families, a service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender-based violence.

The Center is an expansion of the EMPOWER Clinic which was founded in 2013 by Dr. Veronica Ades. By integrating medical, social, and legal services, we hope to provide people with any experience in the sex trade with a “one-stop shop,” a hub where they can access all the services they need to lead healthy and independent lives.

Do you need help?

Do you feel trapped in an abusive relationship? It is not your fault and help is available.

Get Help Here