Heartland Alliance’s Freedom from Trafficking (FFT) program is centered on the idea that all human beings deserve the freedom to live safe, healthy, and independent lives. Sydney Strick works as a lead case manager with the FFT team, supporting survivors and their families as they rebuild their lives in Chicago. In this work, Sydney sees no shortage of barriers in the journey to healing and growth – especially when it comes to educating our society.
How did you get into anti-trafficking work?
For many reasons, I have always wanted to work in some relation with the immigrant community. Particularly, my grandmother grew up as a migrant worker and faced labor exploitation along with segregation and extreme poverty throughout her childhood. Well into her adult life, she finished a Master’s degree in Social Work and was a glimmer of hope for so many families, immigrants and US citizens alike. I also have a background in criminal justice reform research. The participants FFT works with often are involved in both the immigration and criminal justice system. Unfortunately, participants typically have negative experiences in both systems and face injustice after injustice. When the opportunity to join FFT appeared, it seemed like a perfect fit for my interests and an opportunity to actually make a difference on an individual and institutional level.
Why is this work important to the community and those Heartland Alliance supports?
FFT participants are the Chicago community. Human trafficking can happen in any type of work setting and everyone reading this has probably come in contact with a current victim without realizing it. Heartland Alliance supports equity and opportunity for all and a main goal of FFT is to support participants in their journey to live independently while they are applying for their immigration relief. Our support helps to ensure survivors of human trafficking have the opportunity to live freely and feel fulfilled well beyond their enrollment in FFT.
Was there a moment where you knew you were in the right job? And/or What is your favorite part of your job?
Every time a participant meets a goal, feels proud of an accomplishment, or tells me they feel safe because of something I did, I know I’m in the right job. FFT participants are without a doubt the most resilient people I know and I feel extremely lucky to be part of their life, even if it’s only for a short period of time. My favorite part of the job is when participants feel like they are in a place where they no longer need support from FFT and feel confident in their abilities. I have been a part of major life moments for some participants including high school graduations, family reunifications after decades apart, and moving participants into safe, new homes, all of which have been a favorite of mine.
How can others get involved in anti-trafficking work?
If folks have a particular set of expertise or a network of like-minded individuals, they can get involved in supporting anti-trafficking programs on everything from fundraising to clothing and food drives to starter kits for participants moving into new apartments. Folks can participate in awareness raising through events such as screenings on the impact of labor trafficking, on being critical consumers to avoid consuming from items or goods produced through human trafficking, and gathering their networks to think about job training and workforce development that their companies can get behind as a service element to their agency values and that are beneficial for survivors.
