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YOUNGSTOWN -- While awareness about human trafficking is crucial, a new organization in the Mahoning Valley is taking direct action. FreeThree, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is making strides in combating this issue through awareness, outreach and direct care across the Valley.
The "Three" in FreeThree represents the counties it serves -- Columbiana, Trumbull and Mahoning -- and the three core services it provides: awareness, outreach and direct care.
Ohio ranks fifth nationally for human trafficking, a crisis worsened by the state's mix of urban centers, quiet suburbs and major highways connecting it to other states. This network facilitates the movement of traffickers and makes it easier for victims to be displaced and hidden in less conspicuous areas.
Trafficking looks different for each victim. According to a member of the Mahoning County Human Trafficking Task Force, drug addiction often intersects with trafficking in the Valley. Victims may begin trafficking themselves or their loved ones to fund their addiction. They also can be forced to take drugs by their trafficker or use drugs as a coping mechanism for the trauma they endure.
The past year has seen a 300 percent increase in exploitation cases, according to the task force. Exploitation is when someone blackmails an individual for inappropriate photos, or the misuse of images from professional or educational platforms.
Recognizing the severity of these statistics, Amy Bordanaro and her daughter, Michala Sakotas, founded FreeThree in June. Their education about human trafficking and exploitation in the Mahoning Valley began in 2021 when they collaborated with the Mahoning County Human Trafficking Task Force and Judge Renee DiSalvo with GRACE Court, to address the lack of awareness and the gap in aftercare support for survivors.
"Telling people and learning about human trafficking will help, but then it's taking that information and showing up for the victims, showing up for the people at risk or vulnerable, so they can either prevent or get out of that life," Sakotas said.
Serving as mentors for GRACE Court and other trafficking survivors, FreeThree's direct care services already have made a significant impact, assisting 40 survivors in June and July alone.
One survivor shared their appreciation, stating, "Just to know I have someone in my corner at any time in my life is very special and I'm so very thankful. There was a time in the beginning I didn't think I would be where I'm at in my life, or for the relationship I have today; a stronger bond with my child."
Once the survivors graduate from GRACE Court or complete rehab, there's no other services to help them. That's where FreeThree's aftercare plays a role.
Many survivors face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives from scratch upon completing rehabilitation programs. They're often left without essential documents like driver's licenses or birth certificates -- all materials needed for securing jobs or housing.
Survivors have to find a job and a place to live with little to no money, or they risk ending up back on the streets and with their trafficker. They're often trying to maintain sobriety and manage anxieties with healthy coping mechanisms, as they return to a life that was never truly normal for them.
Sakotas emphasizes the importance of FreeThree's aftercare programs.
"They did the hard work getting out of that lifestyle and creating a new life for themselves. We hold their hand and help them, so they can stay out because it's something they truly don't want to go back to."
Finding a place to live for every survivor is not easy and is not something FreeThree wants to do forever. Future plans include establishing safe houses in the Mahoning Valley to provide survivors with transitional housing as they re-adjust to life. There are no safe houses for trafficking survivors north of Columbus, Sakotas said.
FreeThree also plans to introduce drop-in houses -- safe, accessible locations where individuals at risk or those actively trafficked can receive immediate assistance, including meals, hygiene products and emotional support. This is another resource that also does not exist north of Columbus.
These houses are strategically placed in high-need areas to ensure accessibility for those who are restricted on their activities because they are actively being trafficked. Drop-in houses help build trust and give victims an opportunity to experience healthy relationships. These houses are not residential and simply a place to stop by to enjoy a taste of normalcy.
Along with direct care of survivors, FreeThree provides education and awareness and hosts free training sessions for the community on human trafficking, exploitation, supporting the vulnerable communities, trauma and more. FreeThree goes to businesses, schools, churches and more to educate on these topics.
Sakotas said it's more than just learning the numbers around human trafficking.
"It's learning about trauma, addiction, and mental illness. It's way more complicated because not every person who has been trafficked or every person who's at risk or vulnerable even understands what's going on. There's people we've worked with for two years that still don't even admit they were trafficked because they don't see it as that," she said.
FreeThree also participates in outreach, serving the vulnerable and at-risk communities. In their first two months of operation, they provided outreach to more than 1,000 people. While trafficking and exploitation can happen to anyone with a phone or a computer, it's most common for the people who are not getting their basic wants and needs met.
Some identities of people vulnerable and at-risk can include low-income households, homeless persons, children, the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, those with disabilities and people who battle substance abuse.
FreeThree invites the public to its fourth Global Walk for Freedom at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown on Oct. 19, starting at 9 a.m. You can find more information about FreeThree or donate to their services at www.freethreeyo.com.