Arizona AG awards grant money to help human trafficking victims

PHOENIX — The Arizona Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday announced it awarded about $275,000 in grant money to local organizations that provide support to human trafficking victims.

The grants, spread across four organizations, are expected to help about 150 individuals, according to a press release.

“We are blown away at the level of commitment and support that the Arizona Attorney General’s Office continues to provide to victims and survivors of human trafficking,” Brian Steele, executive director of Phoenix Dream Center, said in the release.

Phoenix Dream Center was one of the organizations to be allotted grant money, receiving $75,000 to expand shelter beds and on-site medical, psychological, educational and legal services.

Starfish Place, a city of Phoenix-funded housing program for human trafficking survivors, was awarded $75,000 to add therapeutic services for individuals living there.

“Now more than ever, we must ensure that this vital property and the resources it provides are available to those who need it,” Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring, the chair of the city’s human trafficking task force, said in the release.

Tucson-based Our Family Services was awarded $75,000 to expand emergency temporary shelter, permanent housing and trauma-informed case management for survivors.

Finally, Mesa-based A New Leaf was allotted $49,130 to expand the provision of emergency shelter and Rapid Re-Housing assistance, wrap-around support services and to purchase a van that will take survivors to appointments.

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