Empowering Survivors Through Enterprise: Hope Against Trafficking’s Internship Program in Action

At Hope Against Trafficking, we believe that long-term healing and independence for survivors of human trafficking begins with opportunity. Thanks to the generous support of Impact100 Oakland County’s recent grant, we’ve made significant strides in launching a transformative survivor-centered internship program—one that empowers participants with real-world skills, meaningful employment, and the chance to shape their own futures.

In partnership with RingTrue, this initiative combines hands-on training in both retail operations and social media marketing. Survivors not only earn paid internships but also gain valuable, transferable skills that prepare them for professional success in today’s evolving workforce.

Retail Internship: Learning by Doing

The heart of our social enterprise effort is a structured Retail Internship Training Program, developed to introduce survivors to every facet of product-based sales. Participants receive weekly, trauma-informed instruction from RingTrue’s expert staff in areas such as:

• Product handling and merchandising

• Inventory management and point-of-sale systems

• Event setup and live sales environments

Whether setting up booths at community events or managing stock behind the scenes, survivors are actively engaged in every step of the retail process. By working with the very products they help create, they build confidence, accountability, and professional readiness within a functioning business model.

Social Media & E-Commerce: Telling Their Story

Alongside retail experience, participants also engage in a Social Media and E-Commerce Training Track—a forward-thinking component of the program designed for the digital age. Interns learn:

• Product photography and image editing

• Caption writing and storytelling

• Content planning, scheduling, and online branding

This training culminates in work that directly contributes to our upcoming online store, where survivor-made products will be shared with a broader audience. By guiding the digital voice of Hope Against Trafficking, survivors help grow our social enterprise while learning how to succeed in the online economy.

Real Impact. Real Growth.

Through this powerful initiative, we’re seeing incredible outcomes:

• Paid internships provide financial stability and a sense of purpose

• Trauma-informed instruction ensures a supportive, survivor-first approach

• Material support from the grant sustains both production and education

• Hands-on contributions to Hope’s new e-commerce platform empower participants to own their progress

This program isn’t just about training—it’s about transformation. Survivors aren’t just learning to work in retail or marketing; they’re building pathways toward healing, confidence, and economic independence.

We are deeply grateful to Impact100 Oakland County and community partners for making this vision a reality. Together, we are not only creating jobs—we are building hope.