Ontario Division

Toronto Harbour Light Immigration and Refugee Services (IRS)

Toronto Harbour Light IRS strives to incorporate MSHTR work into their daily operations and programming for immigrants, refugees, newcomers, and participants of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program. This includes:

Assisting victims and survivors in their application for their Temporary Resident Permits.
Assisting victims and survivors in the gathering of documentation and filling out of forms.
Assisting victims and survivors in applying for lost passports and other forms of personal identification.
Distributing MSHT information to clients to bring awareness and education.
Providing spiritual and pastoral care to victims and survivors.

Contact:

(416) 682 2491

Regional Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Response Advocate:
Captain Angelica Hernandez – ONT-MSHT@salvationarmy.ca

To find out more information about our programming, visit our website at:
www.torontoharbourlight.ca/immigrant-refugee-services

London and Surrounding Area Corrections and Justice Services (CJS)

The Salvation Army’s London and Surrounding Area CJS operates seven direct MSHTR services and initiatives in Canada for both victims and survivors of MSHT. Led and informed by survivors, they provide safe and innovating spaces for victims and survivors to be heard and supported as they journey towards their well-being, effective intervention and advocacy strategies, and intentional engagement to reduce the demand. Their services and initiatives include:

Phoenix Peer Support Outreach Program: Led by Peer Survivor Support and Outreach Workers, this program focuses on preventing MSHT and supporting women / girl survivors and their families in their journey towards well-being through outreach, case management, referrals, access to support group sessions, provision of hygiene kits and clothing, and assistance in navigating NGO and government systems and structures.
Outreach and Prevention Supports: Includes assistance with appointments and services (legal, medical, court, dental, and counselling, etc.) including accompaniment, help with transportation, assistance with application forms, and finding information / answers that create barriers to accessing services. Support is also provided to victims and survivors in accessing food banks, meal programs, daycare supports, mom and tots and new mom programming, and housing issues.
Emergency Kits: Are provided to the London Police and OPP to distribute to victims exiting situations of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Prevention Awareness and Education: Is provided through public presentation to churches, social groups, educational institutions, NGOs, and civil sector actors throughout the year.
The Dignity Project Evening Virtual Drop In – Is private and secure digital meetings that have temporarily replaced their weekly drop-in group during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this safe space, victims and survivors can connect with supportive community, Peer Survivor Support Workers, and be referred to Nurse Practitioners as needed.
Journey to Justice: In collaboration with London Abused Women’s Centre, Youth Opportunities Unlimited and WAYS Mental Health Support, this program uses evidence based promising intervention practices to enhance support and equitable access to justice for victims and survivors of MSHT. Using trauma-informed, survivor centred, cross sectoral, wrap around supports, resources, and tools, Salvation Army Outreach Workers provide survivors support when reporting to law enforcement; information about the criminal justice system to make informed choices; court accompaniment; assistance accessing victim compensation and taking social justice action and needed advocacy with law enforcement and within the criminal justice system.

Sex-Buyers Accountability Program: Is a community based alternative measures program offered to those who have been arrested for purchasing sex. This full day program seeks to educate sex buyers on the realities of prostitution and human trafficking. The program consists of speakers from the community, videos, and group discussions. Topics include: Canadian MSHT, prostitution law, and the Equality Model, the implications of a criminal record, the impact their actions have on the community and their families, and the realities, harm, and trauma caused to those entrapped in prostitution, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking. The goal of this program is to provide accountability and education while addressing the demand for paid sex as a path to abolition of the sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of women and children.

Contact:

(519) 432 9553

Ontario South West Regional Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) Response Advocate:
Aura Burditt - ONT-MSHT@salvationarmy.ca

To find out more information about our programming, visit our website at:
www.cjslondon.ca

Lawson Ministries: S.A.F.E. Hub – Hamilton

Through their developmental services, Lawson Ministries hosts S.A.F.E. Hub - weekly classes for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities that seeks to prevent and disrupt cycles of human trafficking and exploitation by supporting, equipping and empowering participants.

Classes cover:

Healthy Relationships – a six-week group that educates participants on the foundational aspects of healthy relationship. Topics include public vs. private behavior, understanding emotions, personal space, consent, hygiene, difference between friends, strangers, community helpers, acquaintances and romantic partnerships.
Abuse Prevention – four workshops that focus on anatomy, sexually transmitted infections and body changes.
Internet Safety – a two-part educational workshop that focuses on general internet, social media and online dating safety.
Fast Friends - a social event hosted monthly to encourage participants to make new friends in a safe and supportive environment

Contact:

To learn more about this project, please contact Caitlin Donaldson at caitlin.donaldson@salvationarmy.ca

To find out more about Lawson Ministries, visit www.lawsonministries.org

Instagram: S.A.F.E._hub

Woven, North York Temple, Toronto

Woven is a weekly empowerment program for girls in Grades 7-12. It works to prevent incidents of human trafficking by empowering girls through safe community and mentorship, developing self-efficacy while growing self-confidence, resilience and leadership skills. This program strengthens the areas in young girls lives that traffickers typically seek to exploit, such as social-isolation, low-self-esteem, instability and lack of awareness about trafficking. Its foundations are built on relationship and creating a safe community for girls where they feel seen, known and loved while being encouraged, empowered and invested-in on a weekly basis.

“I have personally witnessed life transformation take place in some of the young women I have had the privilege of coming to know over the past two years. I've seen girls come out of their shells, share their hearts and lives with us, be connected to the local corps (churches) through volunteering, find new, healthy friendships, begin their faith journeys with Christ, begin going to youth group, and find support and healing through the encouragement of their program mentors and discussion group conversations. I see God's fingerprints all over their lives and to get to be a small part of their story is an honor and a privilege that I don't take lightly.”
-Mikhaila Tao, director of Woven

Contact:

To find out more about Woven, please contact Mikhaila Tao at mikhaila.tao@salvationarmy.ca

Family Life Resource Center – Brampton

The Family Life Resource Center (FLRC) is an emergency short-term shelter for women and their children exiting violence – whether intimate partner violence or exiting a human trafficking and / or exploitation situation. Participants and members of the surrounding community are provided with individualized holistic care, supportive programs, meaningful relationships and the chance to step into healing spaces. Services and support include:

Housing – to assist with a smooth transition back into the community, FLRC provides a Housing Worker to support residents with their various housing needs and challenges.

Counselling – All women are assigned a primary counsellor to provide them with abuse and crisis counselling, support, practical assistance, advocacy, and referrals to relevant community services.

Legal Support Program – Staff and volunteers of the Legal Support Program provide participants with information, advocacy, support and referrals to meet their legal needs and concerns as well as information about the family and criminal court systems. The FLRC also offers support and advocacy for court dates, meetings with lawyers, police, legal aid and the Crown Attorney.

Children’s Services – Children residing with their mothers at FLRC receive specialized support through group support, referrals to children’s services and other community services and agencies, counselling support and organized fun events and activities.

Life Skills Group – assists participants in acquiring new skills and knowledge that not only increases self-esteem but improves their overall quality of life. Topics include: how to budget your money, effects of abuse on children, going back to school, various legal issues, and stress management.

Support Group – is an opportunity for residents and community women to come together to share their stories and experiences of violence and abuse. In this supportive and encouraging environment, women can explore their feelings and emotions while standing shoulder to shoulder with one another.

Family Matters Group – teaches residents parenting skills while exploring a different parenting topic each week such as: different parenting styles, encouragement, misbehaviour, discipline, effects of violence and abuse on children, communication, and ‘winning at parenting’.

Discovering Me Group – takes participants on a journey within themselves to look at elements they may not have had a chance to discover while allowing for rediscovery. Topics include: discovering personality traits, self- esteem, change, the art of assertiveness, feelings, and self-respect.

Referrals – to other agencies that can provide support and assistance as determined by the participant.

Outreach – The Outreach Counsellor provides personalized discharge packages and follow-up support to women after they exit from the shelter. This includes emotional and practical support, referrals, and advocacy.

In addition, the Outreach Counsellor gives presentations to various organizations to discuss the programs and services offered at the shelter as well as providing information about domestic violence and MSHT.

Contact:

To find out more about FLRC, please contact Melody Watson (melody.watson@salvationarmy.ca) or Mercy-Lilian Gichuki (mercy-lilian.gichuki@salvationarmy.ca) or visit https://tsavawservices.ca/

Others Ministry – Mississauga Community Church

Others Ministries has a profound mission, focused on the comprehensive training of 15 young adults over an 18-month program. This training encompasses leadership, discipleship, spiritual growth, evangelism, and social justice issues, specifically Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT).

This project seeks to nurture a generation of young leaders who are spiritually grounded and equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective mission work. Through a holistic approach, Others Ministries aims to support individuals as they learn to make a lasting impact on the communities and the churches they serve in.

This 18-month program is designed to provide participants with a well-rounded education in leadership principles, deepening their understanding of their spiritual gifts and empowering them to engage in meaningful evangelism through street outreach. The emphasis on social justice issues, particularly MSHT, reflects The Salvation Army’s commitment to addressing critical global challenges and making a positive difference in the lives of those affected by such injustices.

As part of this mission, participants will embarking on a mission trip, one internal to Montreal, Canada, during the Summer of 2024 and another in the Summer of 2025. By sending these young adults on these mission trips, they will gain valuable hands-on experience and foster a deeper connection with the local community and its unique challenges. This firsthand exposure will further enrich their training and empower them to be more effective ambassadors of spreading the love of Jesus, hope, and justice.