Human Trafficking Survivors Get Help From Troy-Based Leadership Group

TROY, MI — A Troy-based leadership group is doing what it can to help victims of human trafficking. On Saturday, Leadership Oakland helped renovate a home that will serve as a shelter for human trafficking survivors.

Up to 16 trafficked women will be able to live in the home, located in an undisclosed location in Pontiac. Monarch Wings-Hope Against Trafficking owns the home and will provide the safety, services and support the women need to start over. Women who break free from abusers often struggle on the streets because they don’t have a safe place to go.

“As I learned more and more about how human trafficking is a problem in our state, I wanted to do something to help,” Kendra Corman, owner of H2H Consulting, said. “Creating a sanctuary for these women could give them a chance to feel safe and start over.”

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Corman is one of 52 leaders selected by Leadership Oakland to spend a year working on leadership development, community engagement and social issues facing Oakland County. At the conclusion of the program, the leaders work together on a project designed to leave a legacy and improve the county.

“The generosity of our sponsors and community leaders allowed us to expand the original scope of the project and clean up the neighborhood around the home. We were also able to do some landscaping and trash removal, which will benefit both the survivors and their neighbors,” Leadership Oakland Executive Director Nancy Maurer said.

Since 1990, Leadership Oakland has trained more than 1,200 leaders from corporate, civic and non-profit organizations. The group is currently accepting applications for the upcoming 2017-2018 session.

“We are looking for people who want to get to know Oakland County better, enhance their leadership skills and make a difference in our community,” Maurer said. “This is a program designed for people who want to get involved and stay involved in Oakland County’s future.”

Applications, which can be completed online, are due by May 31. Leadership Oakland’s mission is to develop leadership skills, expose individuals to key issues impacting the region and enable participants to reach their full potential personally, professionally, and through public service to their communities.

Photo courtesy of Leadership Oakland