Survivor-Led Peer Advocacy Program
MISSION
The Survivor-Led Peer Advocacy Program at Restorations is a space that has been designed by survivors for survivors of Human Trafficking and exploitation. The program compliments non-peer related services at Restorations as it exists to promote collaborative relationships that empower survivors.
Our Peer Advocacy Program aims to mobilize resources, provide a community, nurture reintegration, and support autonomy building through a combination of skill construction and wellness planning activities.
Our programming
The Peer Advocacy program supports survivors of human trafficking and/or sexual exploitation who are living in the community or reside at Nancy’s House and are over 18 years of age. While our primary focus is on the Hamilton and Halton regions, our commitment extends across Ontario by providing virtual opportunities to receive services.
We believe in meeting each participant where they are at to provide on-going, individualized care that centers around connection, goal-setting, skill-building and resource connection. Our primary aim is to establish a strong, trusting relationship with each participant.
Please note that Restorations is not a crisis response centre. If you are in crisis, here are some resources that might be helpful.
Mentorship & Encouragement
Through one-on-one support, we connect with survivors to navigate life’s celebrations and challenges.
RESOURCES & CONNECTION
We share resources and opportunities with our network of survivors and help survivors navigate systems (judicial, health, social, economic, etc.) that support their healing journey.
Amplifying voices
At Restorations, we have a policy to amplify survivors’ voices when possible and appropriate. We aim to actively look for opportunities for survivors to speak and share their voices, stories, and expertise.
In support of this intent, we launched a blog category called “Survivor Voices” in Spring 2020. These posts include reflections on arising topics or issues and more.
We recognize the importance of financially compensating survivors for their time, energy, and expertise and, as such, we financially compensate all survivors who contribute written pieces for the blog. We strongly believe in the necessity of financial compensation for this work, and we urge other organizations who request survivors to speak, write, or consult for their organization to do likewise for the following reasons:
to demonstrate a commitment to honour and respect survivors’ time, energy, and expertise;
to demonstrate an appreciation for the emotional, mental, and physical energy necessary to share their experiences with us in order to benefit others;
and to demonstrate a commitment to developing the economic independence of survivors.
Connect
Community and self-referrals are welcome!
Email us at peeradvocacy@restorationscanada.org to learn more and/or book an appointment.
Guiding Values
Click here to learn more about our guiding values that shape our peer programming.
