HARRISBURG, PA — The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania will expand a Philadelphia-based human trafficking survivor program across the eastern part of the state with a $250,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, according to state lawmakers.
The funding will support the New Day to Stop Trafficking Program, which provides services to people affected by sex and labor trafficking. The program was established in Philadelphia 15 years ago.
New Day served more than 1,100 people last year, providing trauma-informed case management, housing navigation and other support services, according to the lawmakers.
State Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware; Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks; and Manuel Guzman Jr., D-Berks, disclosed the grant Wednesday. O’Mara chairs the House Democratic Southeast Delegation, while Cepeda-Freytiz chairs the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus.
“This investment will help expand these resources and reach more communities,” Guzman stated. He identified trauma-informed care, housing support and recovery services as central components of the program.
O’Mara pointed to New Day’s 15-year operating history in Philadelphia as lawmakers supported extending its services elsewhere in eastern Pennsylvania.
“Our delegation was fully supportive of this new funding, and we’re proud to see it come to fruition for communities across our region,” O’Mara stated.
Cepeda-Freytiz described the Philadelphia program as an important source of assistance for trafficking victims and backed extending its reach farther into Pennsylvania.
The $250,000 award was made through a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
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