Toiletry drive aims to support sex trafficking victims in Westchester
The donations will go to Lifeway Network's Safe Housing program. Executive Director Alison Boak said her organization exclusively serves victims of sex trafficking.
State Sen. Shelley Mayer launched a toiletry donation drive in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
"We, as a suburb of New York City, have to be very mindful that these young women, and sometimes men…can be caught in this terrible situation. We want to be helpful," said Mayer, who represents Yonkers and surrounding communities.
The donations will go to Lifeway Network's Safe Housing program. Executive Director Alison Boak said her organization exclusively serves victims of sex trafficking.
"With a lot of the federal funding having dried up and gone away, we're really now the only kind of transitional housing program in the Metro-New York area," Boak said.
That funding gap is part of the reason why demand for basic items is so high right now. Boak said they got over 70 referrals for their housing program last year, alone.
"Often when a survivor comes into our Safe Housing program, they have nothing but what's on their back," Boak said. "So, this toiletry drive is really important because when they come, we give everyone a welcome basket, like a hygiene kit...so they can clean themselves up and just feel respected and cared for."
Donations for the drive can be dropped off through next Tuesday at four locations around Westchester.
"I don't think people are putting enough attention into those that are subjects of sex trafficking who are generally 12, 13, 14 years old," Mayer said. "So, we're just doing something modest."
A spokesperson for Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace said her office has implemented several initiatives to detect and prosecute this crime. The spokesperson said this includes funding training for prosecutors who work on these cases and coordinating better with law enforcement agencies who work on these investigations.
