THE SURVIVOR ALLIANCE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2024

Survivor Alliance is pleased to announce Cohort 2 of the Survivor Leadership Academy (“the Academy") with support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the Sherwood Foundation. Grounded in the learnings from the pilot of the Survivors LEAD program in 2021, the Survivor Alliance Leadership Academy (the Academy) is an 18-month leadership development initiative designed to fill a gap in survivor leadership in the anti-trafficking sector. The Academy is designed for survivor leaders who want to work full time in anti-trafficking and related sectors full time, whether as independent consultants or employees of organizations.

The Academy’s 2024-2025 cohort is dedicated to elevating the Spanish-speaking community and bilingual survivors, recognizing the unique impact of racism on survivors of human trafficking. With the significant Spanish-speaking community in the United States, our focus in this cohort is on amplifying the Latin@ and Chican@ survivors in their work and advancing their leadership skills. Historically, there has been a lack of programs tailored specifically to survivors serving Spanish-speaking communities, highlighting the need for more representation within the anti-trafficking sector. The Academy aims to address various forms of trafficking that affect the Spanish-speaking community and provide a supportive environment for survivors to come together to build collective support and power.

The content of the Academy is delivered through the implementation of three modules that build upon one another to deepen survivors’ knowledge and skills to work in the anti-trafficking sector. The program is open to survivor leaders nationwide in the United States.

The Academy provides foundational skills around leadership and wellbeing with an approach informed by Critical Pedagogy and Paulo Freire’s work. The curriculum combines experiential education, socioemotional learning, leadership development and upskilling for employment to achieve its intended outcomes. The Academy engages in a trauma-informed, multimodal approach designed to be accessible to and beneficial for people from diverse backgrounds with varying levels of formal education. The Academy incorporates self-directed learning, live virtual workshops and virtual educational field trips, when possible. Throughout the program, Academy participants benefit from working directly with other survivor leaders, who serve as facilitators and peer mentors to participants throughout the program.

Participants who choose an internship placement will work directly with host sites with the support of Survivor Alliance. Placement host sites, typically organizations that engage in anti-trafficking work as a priority focus, receive training on implementing ethical survivor inclusion practices. This training and ongoing support for supervisors hosting a survivor intern helps with organizational readiness to recruit and hire survivors in the future. As a final stage, Academy participants, with input from their placement site supervisors, will have the opportunity to reflect on their placement experience and opportunities to continue to grow.

We are harnessing employability and career paths for the Academy’s participants and creating opportunities for anti-trafficking organizations to contribute to wider systemic change.

Who should apply?

Survivor leaders bilingual in English and Spanish and/or survivor leaders serving Spanish-speaking communities

Survivor leaders who want to work (or continue to work) full-time in anti-trafficking or related sectors

Survivor leaders with experience organizing or leading a community for at least 2 years (it does not have to be formally through an organization)

Current Survivor Alliance Members or leaders willing to become Survivor Alliance members


What is the Time Commitment?

This is an 18 month program, with a commencement in June 2024 and conclusion in December 2025. This schedule incorporates an opportunity for an internship placement.


What to Expect?

Practical, focused, and relevant leadership development seminars

Two-hour weekly, live online sessions with breaks

Participants who fulfill their commitments have the opportunity to be compensated every 3 months through scholarship stipends which add up to $5500 for the full 18 months

 

FAQ

  • No. Being bilingual is not a requirement but a preference.

    If you are not bilingual and would like to apply, we ask that you have some experience working with the Spanish-speaking community (past or present) and would like to continue serving the Spanish-speaking community.

  • We ask that you have some experience working in the anti-trafficking sector, other than public speaking. This does not have to be formally as an employee/employer of an organization, but can be as a consultant, collaborator on anti-trafficking initiatives, or consistent volunteer in the sector for at least two years.

    * Note: We define formal experience in the anti-trafficking sector as having been an employer/employee of an organization primarily focused on anti-trafficking; or, a full-time/part-time independent consultant in the anti-trafficking sector consistently for the past two years

  • The academy entails an 18-month commitment (June 2024 - December 2025) structured as a personal development challenge, yet offers flexibility for early graduation or departure on a case-by-case basis. There are three modules and an opportunity for a 6-month internship placement with an organization in the sector.

    There will be weekly 2-hour sessions on ONE of the days and times listed below. The exact date and time will be communicated to selected applicants prior to the start of the program. Sessions are anticipated to begin the week of June 3, 2024.

    Mondays, 6-8 PM EST; Tuesdays, 12-2 PM EST; Wednesdays, 6-8 PM EST; or Thursdays, 12-2 PM EST

  • The two-hour weekly sessions will be conducted through a live virtual platform, with plans for an anticipated in-person extended session in January 2025, funded by Survivor Alliance.

  • Yes. However, we ask that you have at least two years of working experience in a related field which may include fields such as, but is not limited to homelessness, gender-based violence, foster care system, etc.

  • No. Once enrolled, you will receive a laptop from Survivor Alliance.

  • All participants will have the opportunity to be compensated once every 3 months through scholarship stipends which add up to $5500 for the full 18 months.

  • No, but we do ask that you be willing to become a member.

  • We have allocated funds to assist participants in overcoming some barriers to participation, such as access to the internet, childcare, or other necessary support you identify will be a benefit to your success. Upon acceptance into the Academy, we will provide detailed information on how to apply for these funds to ensure your success in the program.