Price of Life NYC

Restore NYC & Price of Life- A force for freedom

Recently the Price of Life team met with one of New York’s most vital players in the fight against sex trafficking. After a day of planning for events, such as an artist round table discussion happening on July 16th, and executing intricate presentation for potential partners, we gathered for a memorable meeting.

The meeting was with Jimmy Lee, the executive director of Restore NYC, a nonprofit that provides holistic aftercare for foreign-born sex trafficked survivors. Founder Faith Huckel “diligently led the building of Restore from the ground up and created a movement of awareness of the realities of the modern-day slave trade in New York City,” as stated on their website. Needless to say it was an honor to speak with the now head of Restore after learning the incredible programs they are offering to mainly Korean, Chinese, and Latina women.

Read the rest of the account of the meeting with Jimmy Lee, by Price of Life: NYC Summer Intern, Maria Dora Berruti, on the Field Notes page of our website.

FYI - upcoming advocacy opportunity for New Yorkers

Passing on an invitation from the New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition. Numerous NYC organizations working with survivors will send delegates, including Restore NYC, who especially invites InterVarsity members & friends to join it:

Andi, a sixteen-year-old runaway, was repeatedly sold by her trafficker on the street. Even though the Safe Harbor Act recognizes that prostituted children are trafficking victims, Andi was arrested, arraigned in criminal court and convicted of prostitution.

In its landmark anti-trafficking laws, New York State has taken the lead in recognizing that many women and children in prostitution are victims of human trafficking and holding accountable those who organize, promote, advance, support and patronize the trafficking industry.  Although a growing number of traffickers are being brought to justice, our State legislative anti-trafficking regime contains gaps, loopholes, and inconsistencies that must be remedied.

The Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act will strengthen New York State’s response to traffickers and protection of victims.

The New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition would like to invite you to the lobby day for the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act!

Tuesday May 15^th, 10:30am – 3:30pm

The face-to-face meetings that happen during lobby days have tremendous impact. Personal stories, messages of support and real world explanations of what legislation means to voters and advocates is extremely powerful.

To RSVP please e-mail eamick@sffny.org with your name, organization and contact information. 

To learn more about the lobby day, please call into our conference call on Thursday, May 10th from 3pm to 4pm.

Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 775-7000

Access Code: 722515#

If you want to learn more about the legislation, here is a terrific interview with Dorchen Leidholdt and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin on Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin. Here is an article about the bill which includes a video of a survivor, Brianna, speaking about her trafficking experience.

Give them shelter

Meet Restore NYC’s new director, Jimmy Lee.

“If I could find an intersection between my talents and making an impact in this world for God’s kingdom … that’s where I wanted to be.”

NEW YORK—Thousands of women are sold for sex every day in New York City, but between two long-term restoration homes, only 24 spots exist for survivors to find long-term, holistic care. Seven of those spots are in a safe house in Queens, provided by Restore New York City, a nonprofit organization that provides long-term shelter for women who have been rescued out of sex trafficking.

New York has other shelter facilities for women fleeing domestic abuse, but few specialize in long-term, holistic care specifically for sex trafficking victims. At Restore, those survivors find more than a bed. They find community: conversations, prayer, movie nights, and safety.

Click here to read the whole article from World Magazine.