Empowering Change: Allies Against Slavery Receives HHS Grant to Combat Human Trafficking

We are excited to share that Allies Against Slavery has been awarded the prestigious Phase One Grant from The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Innovation Challenge. This grant recognizes our innovative work and vision for the future as we leverage data to make significant strides in ending human trafficking.

The HHS Innovation Challenge

In 2023, the HHS launched a national Innovation Challenge, offering up to $1.8 million to organizations with groundbreaking approaches to preventing human trafficking among women and girls in the United States. The award is divided into two phases: an initial $50,000 grant followed by a second phase where eight organizations will each receive $100,000. Allies Against Slavery’s Phase One recognition will significantly advance the research and development of our cutting-edge data platform, Lighthouse.

Lighthouse: A Beacon of Hope

Lighthouse, as most readers know is our powerful, secure, cloud-based technology platform that plays a crucial role in the fight against human trafficking. It is used by organizations and policymakers working with vulnerable populations to screen for sex trafficking and improve client care. Decision-makers rely on Lighthouse to access aggregated statewide data in one dashboard, enabling them to identify hotspots, evaluate strategies, and make informed investments. Lighthouse empowers evidence-based interventions.

Data-Driven Insights and Interventions

This grant allows us to further our mission of eradicating human trafficking through data-driven insights. With additional funding, we plan to continue to enhance Lighthouse’s analytics and collection capabilities, supporting evidence-based interventions. The goal is to create a predictive model of risk for sex trafficking, guiding policy decisions and improving health outcomes for women and girls affected by trafficking.

A Vision for Change

“This award not only recognizes the innovative work we have done but also our vision for the future. We believe that data-driven solutions can transform the fight against human trafficking.” John Nehme, CEO of Allies Against Slavery, expressed deep gratitude for the grant.

In Closing

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) remains committed to protecting the health of all Americans and addressing critical health and social issues. Allies Against Slavery’s recognition in the Innovation Challenge exemplifies the power of collaboration, innovation, and data-driven approaches in the battle against human trafficking.