Bridge to Freedom Foundation is currently working to provide a variety of services to both survivors of modern slavery, and those service organizations which support them. Future Programs include the development of an Education and Scholarship Fund.

Division of Research and Evidence Based Programming:

Bridge to Freedom Foundation (BTFF) is committed to bringing survivors and the nonprofit community the best possible programming. As such, we are committed to conducting core research and developing evidence based programming and continuously striving to further our knowledge base and performance. Believing that interactions with highly vulnerable populations ethically requires a sound knowledge base and continual lines of inquiry, Bridge to Freedom Foundation’s (BTFF) Division for Research and Evidenced Based Programming has a dual yet complimentary focus. The Department of Research focuses on academically sound research that incorporates real-world needs and timelines. At the same time, the Department for Evidenced Based Programming seeks to create and assess current programming geared towards at-risk populations, current victims, and survivors of modern-day slavery in all its forms.

Evidenced Based Programming is considered interventions that have been rigorously evaluated for optimal client results. Common in other disciplines, the anti-slavery movement is unfortunately lacking in this type of quality control. BTFF believes that evidence based programming is more than just an academic or business priority; but that evidence based programming is an ethical issue. When working with a highly vulnerable and traumatized population, BTFF has an ethical responsibility to ensure that the programming and models we create and implement do what they are intended to do and do no harm to the clients or community served.

BTFF's Evidence Based Research and Programming team needs your voice as we conduct research to identify recovery hurdles for which survivors have, or may, come across in the process of recovery and rehabilitation. Please find the links to each individual survey here: General Survey, Nutritional Habits Survey, and Health Survey. All surveys are confidential and anonymous.

Please contact research@btff.org should you have any questions about the surveys or BTFF's Division of Research and Evidence Based Programming. 

Violence Prevention:

Bridge to Freedom Foundation's Violence Prevention Program seeks to both prevent violence and modern-day slavery, empower survivors in their healing and protect both survivors and ourteach workers from potential violent conflicts.  Additionally workshops are provided to the general community to raise awareness and funding for free training for survivors.

Bridge to Freedom Foundation's Violence Prevention/Self-Defense Workshops seeks to guide and assist survivors of modern slavery in both their physical and mental empowerment. The workshops are all currently led by our Executive Director and Founder, Cassandra Clifford, who addition to her daily activism in the fight against modern slavery, has also worked tirelessly over the last few years training in Krav Maga, Israeli Hand to Hand Combat -a real life self-defense system. Recognized by her instructor, Nick Masi of First Defense Krav Maga, she was asked -and accepted the challenge- to take the difficult path to become an instructor. Cassandra is excited to bring the empowerment of Krav Maga to the survivors we serve and continue to train other survivors of abuse and at-risk populations around the country.

Cassandra is working in partnership with her studio and fellow instructors to provide training around the country to survivors and outreach workers, in addition Cassandra through BTFF seeks to train other instructors across the country on how to work with survivors of human trafficking, sexual and physical abuse, recognize the signs of PTSD, RTS, Trauma Triggers and use language appropriate wording in survivor communities.

Key Areas the Program Seeks to address:

• Regular self-defense training for locally based outreach teams and staff.

• Provide workshops at partner organizations for survivors to introduce them to self-defense.

• Educate service providers and mental health care professionals on the positive power of self-defense training in recovery.

• Provide scholarships for training with First Defense Krav Maga (VA), Maximum Defense (AZ) and  other affiliate schools/instructors nationally and internationally. 

In additon to providing training in the anti-trafficking community, BTFF will conduct training workshops across the country at survivor and human trafficking related conferences, as well as related causes including, but not limited to; child abuse, sexual assult, domestic violence, rape, etc  BTFF will also provide training to community groups, businesses and the general community. 

Personal Development:

Bridge to Freedom Foundation's Personal Development Program seeks to give survivors of modern slavery a positive self image, both internally and externally. The need for a positive self image is present in all individuals, and can often be a daily struggle for anyone, however the need and ability to develop a clear and positive self image, when one has been a victim of any form of abuse is even greater. One cannot move ahead in life if they do not have confidence in themselves and their abilities. Confidence comes from within, and can be difficult to attain for many people, however a victim of abuse, is even more prone low self esteem. Therefore this program will address the individual needs of each survivor in the program to ensure that they receive adequate support based on their individual needs and personality.

Areas the program will often address include; body dimorphic disorder, as it may not be uncommon to have survivors’ who are extremely disassociated with their real body image. To get a better understanding of a client who may be facing will be asked to draw a self portrait, and other activities, so that we can clearly address the areas which require more attention and focus, as well as evaluate if any additional care or assistance is needed. If assistance or support is need for which we are unequipped or able to provide, BTFF staff will ensure that the needs of the client are met through a reputable and reliable outside source or partner organization.

Every person deserves and has the right to feel comfortable in their own body, and when one has control of their image, and the confidence in which they are on the outside they can present the person they truly are on the inside and move forward into the careers that they desire and dream of. Therefore the Personal Development Program will better prepare and enable clients to seek educational and professional development and provide them with the self-worth that they deserve, to take hold of, and advance their lives, to break the cycle of modern slavery and abuse. The Bridge to Freedom Foundation’s personal development program will truly be one of the first and major steps in bringing clients from surviving to thriving!

Key Areas the Program seeks to address:
1. Image development and self esteem building
2. Etiquette and socialization skills
3. Wardrobe
4. Health and Beauty

Educational Developement:

Bridge to Freedom Foundation's Educational Development Program's College Prep and Job Rediness Workshops seek to guide and assist survivors of modern slavery in obtaining higher level education. Clients will ideally have gone through our personal development program prior to participating in this program, however this is not a prerequisite and each client will be assessed individually. Breaking the cycle of modern slavery contains many aspects, which as  includes the need for survivors to find employment and obtain an alternative income that allows the individuals to thrive.  However many survivors have not had the opportunity to receive education beyond that of secondary school. Therefore, the Bridge to Freedom seeks to provide survivors with College Prep and Job Readiness Workshops that will prepare individuals for the often daunting task of continuing their education, whether it be university, trade school or taking the GED. Clients will have the opportunity to work with and meet professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds through this program and we will work with them to see that they grow and develop in order to find the education and career path they want to pursue in the future. Some of our well known hiring companies offering job opportunities include well known brands such as:

• Timeshare Merchants
• Patriot Bankcard
• National Cannabis Chamber of Commerce
• PRWest.com