Exclusive: UPS Foundation and Atlanta-based nonprofit Wellspring Living join forces to support victims of human trafficking

Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. It has become a fixture in the city and a major conduit for human traffickers, leading to one of the highest rates of child sex trafficking in the country. But a partnership between the UPS Foundation and Wellspring Living aims to change that grim reality.

While many anti-trafficking efforts focus on prevention and rescue, the long-term needs of survivors often remain unmet. According to a recent report According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the demand for housing assistance for victims of human trafficking exceeds available resources.

Recognizing this gap, the UPS Foundation has partnered with an Atlanta-based nonprofit to fill the gap. Wellspring Life to provide comprehensive recovery services to domestic sex trafficking survivors and those at risk. This initiative goes beyond the initial rescue and provides trauma-informed, victim-centered support to help survivors rebuild their lives.

The UPS FoundationKnown for its global community impact, the UPS Foundation has been at the forefront of such initiatives for more than 70 years and has contributed $3 billion worldwide. Nikki Clifton, president of the UPS Foundation, emphasized the foundation’s mission to create a more just and equitable world, stating, “Fighting human trafficking is one way we fulfill that mission every day.”

In preparation for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, raising awareness and providing comprehensive care for survivors is paramount. “Human trafficking is one of the most overlooked humanitarian crises of our time,” said Clifton. “We recognize that there are approximately 27.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. Our drivers are the eyes and ears on the road, and we are very proud to be leading the fight against this problem.”

UPS has trained more than 189,000 employees, known as UPSers, to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. Working with Truck drivers against human traffickingUPS equips its drivers to recognize red flags and take action. Clifton described the training, which includes identifying victims who may appear disconnected from the community, improperly dressed for the weather or have someone monitoring their movements.

The huge role that transportation plays in human trafficking is often underestimated. “They use the airlines, they use buses, they use trains, they use Uber to transport their victims to and from various commercial sex markets. And access to transportation is also very important for survivors to be able to escape,” Clifton said. “We even learned from our drivers who were parked at truck stops that they would see victims in the parking lots. And they didn’t realize that they weren’t there by choice. They didn’t understand the difference between someone who is in the sex trade and someone who is a prostitute. And neither of those problems are things that you want for people.”

In addition to training, the UPS Foundation has pledged $1 million to support Wellspring Living’s Welcome Home campaign, which provides therapy, housing and educational resources to victims of human trafficking. Led by CEO Christian Murphy, Wellspring Living offers wraparound services, helping victims transition to stable, independent lives.

But the partnership extends far beyond training and financial support. UPS and Wellspring Living work together to raise awareness and educate the community about the realities of human trafficking.

Clifton stressed the importance of community involvement, from donating to local nonprofits to volunteering and providing practical support like resume writing and childcare for survivors. She also highlighted the nation’s most vulnerable population facing this problem. “Human trafficking disproportionately affects Black women and girls at an alarming rate,” she said. “We must be vigilant to protect our children.”

The UPS Foundation remains committed to expanding its efforts to combat human trafficking. Collaborative efforts with other Atlanta-based companies, such as Delta Airlines, have also been an integral part of the process.

“We will continue to work primarily in the Atlanta area. We will also continue to train our employees. We are committed to training all of our drivers on the signs of human trafficking, and then training our management to recognize the signs as well, so they can be smarter and better educated to create a safer world,” Clifton said.

The UPS Foundation President is urging people to educate themselves, recognize signs of human trafficking and take action by reporting suspicious activity to the UPS Foundation. National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

To learn more about this transformative partnership and to watch a special episode of “The Balancing Act” that sheds light on survivor resilience, click here.

About the author of the post

Hunter Gilmore

Hunter Gilmore is a journalist, producer and screenwriter with a wealth of experience in television production, print/digital media and content writing. Driven by a burning passion for media, Hunter thrives on bringing visions to life through her compelling storytelling, creativity and strategic prowess.