THE SPARROW FOUNDATION

GIVES AND GOES
WHERE IT MATTERS MOST

The Sparrow Foundation stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Like the sparrow, small yet mighty, we believe that every soul, holds within it the power to rise above adversity. We are here to lift up the weary, to offer strength to the broken, and to remind each person that they are seen, valued, and worthy of a brighter tomorrow. Just as the sparrow finds its place in the sky, we too must find our place in this world—together, united, and unshaken in our belief that we can soar higher. With love, with courage, and with unwavering faith, we will overcome, we will rise, and we will lift each other to Freedom.

ABOUT

The Sparrow Foundation takes immediate action to provide boots-on-the-ground support for victims in crisis. This includes but is not limited to human trafficking and trauma. Our unwavering commitment ensures victims receive critical assistance in real time.

Additionally, we actively facilitate specialized training for professionals, including law enforcement, medical personnel, educators, and state officials, empowering them to respond effectively to the needs of these victims.

  • At the forefront of change, we actively engage in shaping laws that profoundly impact human trafficking victims. By collaborating with policymakers, we champion for legislation that provides comprehensive protection, support, and justice for survivors.

    In 2016, Michelle Johnson sought to expunge her criminal record after enduring forced crimes while trafficked. Hindered by Louisiana's expungement law, she faced denial of housing, jobs, and education opportunities. The prospect of a 96-year expungement process led Michelle to advocate for herself and fellow survivors, bypassing a pardon in favor of legislative change. In 2021, her efforts saw success with the Human Trafficking Prevention Commission Advisory Board endorsing post-conviction relief for trafficking victims. Michelle's passionate testimony in the House and Senate garnered bipartisan support for SB148, culminating in Governor John Bel Edwards signing ACT 130 into law, named the "Michelle Johnson Act." Witnessing the positive impact, Michelle remains dedicated to battling human trafficking and advocating for survivors in Louisiana.

  • Our tailored training equips professionals across industries with the tools to identify and assist human trafficking victims within their specific fields, enabling them to provide crucial support and resources to survivors.

    We train medical and mental health personnel.

    Our training empowers medical and mental health professionals to detect signs of human trafficking, respond with empathy, and connect survivors with the appropriate care and resources needed for recovery.

    We train educators.

    Through our training, educators gain the skills needed to identify potential trafficking victims among their students, creating a safe environment where they can reach out for help. Our training also guides them in connecting survivors with the necessary support systems.

  • Through our specialized training, law enforcement personnel learn how to recognize trafficking situations, effectively interact with victims, and collaborate with other agencies to combat trafficking and ensure the safety of survivors.

    We train state officials.

    State officials receive comprehensive training on the complexities of human trafficking, enabling them to develop informed policies, coordinate interagency efforts, and allocate resources effectively to address and prevent trafficking within their jurisdictions.

  • Through our crisis response efforts, we extend urgent and direct care to victims of human trafficking. We accompany them on their path to healing, offering vital resources and essential support through their journey of recovery.

  • With the help of our trustworthy and reliable partnerships, we strategically connect human trafficking survivors with a safe place to live as they get out of “The Life” and recover from the effects of their traumatic experiences.

WHAT ROLE DOES SPARROW PLAY IN HELPING SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

WITHOUT SPARROW

WITH SPARROW

SURVIVOR STORIES

COURTNEY

In the spring of 2024, our team had the privilege of meeting Courtney, a resilient young woman whose story touched our hearts. Referred to us by a local high school, she was identified as a victim and was facing homelessness, far from her hometown and without a family to lean on. With compassion and support, we provided her with clothing, shoes, hygiene essentials, and a welcoming host home. Despite the immense challenges of losing her family and facing exploitation, Courtney triumphed by graduating from high school. We cheered her on with pride as she stood on that stage, diploma in hand. Now, she is boldly setting her sights on college, eager to expand her education and carve out a brighter future. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience and hope.

Aaliyah

A distressing call reached us in the summer of 2024 about one of our former foster youth, Aaliyah, who had recently found herself entangled in the grips of exploitation and incarceration. Identified as a victim rather than a criminal, she desperately needed support and stable housing to steer her life away from the shadows of the justice system. With unwavering determination, our team collaborated closely with the court to secure the essential services she required to flourish. Today, Aaliyah is a beacon of resilience—housed, employed, and diligently working towards her GED. This remarkable journey has ignited her passion for education, and she is now on the path to pursuing college courses in criminal justice, determined to transform her past into a powerful force for change.

Dani

In 2018, our team was introduced to Dani through the FBI, beginning an inspiring journey together. A year later, we stood by her side as she bravely confronted all five of her traffickers during their sentencing hearing. With unwavering courage, she delivered a powerful victim impact statement, shedding light on her harrowing experiences. Over the years, we've walked alongside Dani, witnessing her incredible resilience and determination to achieve two monumental goals: sharing her story with the world and obtaining her driver’s license. In 2023, she accomplished her dream by appearing on PBS in an eye-opening segment, "Turning the Tide: A Story of Hell, Healing, and Hope," hosted by the esteemed journalist Karen Swenson. This fall, Dani celebrated another significant milestone—she earned her driver’s license and is now excitedly preparing to purchase her first vehicle. Her journey is a testament to the power of hope, healing, and the indomitable spirit of survival.

EVERY ONE COUNTS.

EVERY ONE COUNTS.

meet our project director

Alliece Cole graduated from Northwestern University and started her career working with homeless and at-risk kids in a temporary shelter. She spent over twenty years working for the Department of Children & Family Services, moving from case worker to investigator and eventually to regional trainer. After leaving DCFS, she worked as a specialized housing developer and program director, serving human trafficking victims and women leaving the sex industry. Ms. Cole has been appointed to multiple Governor’s Committees and working groups to evaluate and change legislation regarding human trafficking. In 2014 she received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for her work with trafficking victims. In 2015 she received a Leadership Award and special recognition from the Governor of Louisiana for her anti-trafficking efforts. She also served as a trainer for the Attorney General’s office for post certified training for law enforcement and for the Department of Children and Family Services. In 2018, Ms. Cole was appointed by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to sit on the Human Trafficking Prevention Advisory Board. Ms. Cole also serves as the Training and Survivor Voice Consultant to the Office of the Governor. Ms. Cole currently serves at The Sparrow Foundation, as the director of the statewide anti-trafficking initiative; efforts including serving international victims of the labor and sex trade, youth victims of trafficking in child-welfare, and providing direct services to domestic survivors of trafficking.

“The best thing we can offer the hurting is hope period.”

— Alliece Cole

Need support or services?

NEED TRAINING OR WANT TO CONNECT?

Collaboration is at the heart of our mission. We are proud to partner with a diverse range of organizations who share our commitment to combating human trafficking and creating a brighter future. Together, we amplify our impact, pool our resources, and unite our voices to drive change.

OUR PARTNERS

Check out the resources below to hear from some of The Sparrow Foundation team, survivors, and partners.

WATCH

UNBRANDED

DANI’S STORY

ROUNDTABLE Discussion

“The caged
bird sings with
a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.”

Maya Angelou

GET INVOLVED

Support Sparrow

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a meaningful impact. Your donation helps us provide essential resources, support services, and prevention programs that combat this heinous crime.

Join us in creating a world where survivors can heal and thrive, and where the fight against human trafficking is stronger than ever.