#LifeAtHireRight: Working with International Sanctuary
Join us in honoring and celebrating women worldwide today and every day! We had the privilege of chatting with Wendy Dailey from International Sanctuary. Wendy shares the incredible work of International Sanctuary, dedicated to aiding girls and young women in their journey towards healing.
Here at HireRight, our teams work hard to build the future of screening services while striving to put the customer first. But what is it like to work here? And who are the employees behind our background screening and workforce solutions?
Today, on International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024, and throughout the month, we honor the remarkable achievements of women worldwide in social, economic, cultural, and political spheres. Among our initiatives, I head up our employee-led affinity group, World Wide Women (WWW). Primarily, WWW serves as a secure forum for individuals to exchange stories, insights, and inquiries. Our overarching goal is to empower women to achieve their own versions of success, whatever that may entail.
This year, in honor of International Women's Day, I am delighted to share our support and partnership with International Sanctuary. This organization offers hope, dignity, and liberation to survivors of human trafficking by empowering them through education, employment, healthcare, and community support as they rebuild their lives. Today, we welcomed Wendy Dailey, co-founder and Head of Strategic Partnerships at International Sanctuary, to our WWW meeting, where she shared information on the inspiring work of International Sanctuary, which helps girls and young women heal from their past. Wendy shared her journey on founding the organization, and her work with the survivors.
To help support International Sanctuary, I’m pleased to share that this year our annual Global Benchmark Survey (which is live until Thursday, March 28) will be raising money for the charity, with HireRight donating for each completed survey we receive—so please take part if you can.
Wendy, thank you for hosting our WWW event, and thank you for speaking with me here on the HireRight Blog! We are excited to share more about your organization.
Can you tell us about International Sanctuary, and what are the organizations missions and goals?
International Sanctuary is driven by a steadfast mission to change the stories of survivors of human trafficking to achieve success, - doing whatever it takes to ensure their well-being. At present, we work alongside 64 women and aspire to extend our support to an additional 20 women in the upcoming year. Since our inception in 2007, International Sanctuary has maintained open doors, offering a secure and nurturing community for survivors to embark on a journey of healing, growth, and thriving.
Our commitment is encapsulated in the mission to do whatever it takes to foster the success of each individual. Headquartered in Orange County, California in the U.S., our non-profit not only provides opportunities for income generation and workplace skills training, but also facilitates access to education, healthcare, mentoring and counseling—all within a safe, trauma-informed community. Through our program, we’re nurturing a shift in mindset from victims to capable, strong, confident women, which in turn leads to a shift in the way they think about and work toward a future.
Our Sanctuaries are strategically located in Mumbai, India, Kampala, Uganda, and Cebu, Philippines. Each of them provides employment opportunities through our social enterprise, PURPOSE Jewelry. This enterprise supports young women escaping human trafficking through the creation and sale of handmade jewelry, contributing to their economic security and overall growth.
How did International Sanctuary start?
International Sanctuary was founded by Stephanie Pollaro and me in 2007. Deeply moved by the issue of human trafficking and the lack of opportunities for survivors, Stephanie envisioned creating a space where survivors could find healing, support, and a path to economic independence. Their desire was to provide not only a safe haven for survivors, but also a means for them to gain valuable skills and sustainable income.
International Sanctuary grew to offer survivors a comprehensive program that includes education, workplace skills training, counseling and mentoring, healthcare, and community support. Our organization's social enterprise, PURPOSE Jewelry, was established to create employment opportunities for survivors, allowing them to craft and sell handmade jewelry as they learn crucial life and workplace skills.
Since its founding, International Sanctuary has expanded its reach to multiple locations, including Sanctuaries in Mumbai, India, Kampala, Uganda, and Cebu, Philippines. Our organization continues to make a significant impact on the lives of survivors, providing them with the tools and support needed to break free from the cycle of exploitation and build a brighter future.
Can you tell us more about the Sanctuary(s) that you have across the globe?
Our Sanctuaries are located in:
Mumbai, India (established in 2007)
Kampala, Uganda (established in 2016)
Cebu, Philippines (established in 2020)
Each Sanctuary provides education, healthcare, employment, and community support. The young women lead independent lives, attending the sanctuary daily to engage in work, learning, and personal growth within a safe and healthy environment. Women may remain with us for several years as they diligently work towards rebuilding their lives. At present, we are caring for 65 women, fostering their growth and recovery. In collaboration with local aftercare homes, we support young women as they prepare for emancipation, and our outreach extends to 34 girls[NC1] . Most women are between 18 and mid- thirties.
As participants graduate from the program, their achievements are a testament to their resilience. Some have pursued higher education, earned master's degrees in social work, completed law school, entered into marriages, and started their own families. We take immense pride in their courage to overcome the trauma of their trafficking experiences.
Wendy, what are the best ways to help support International Sanctuary?
Together - is part of our mission statement! We cannot do this without you! There so many ways to get involved:
Give: to help fund the care of women rescued from human trafficking. 100% of donations go directly to the care of women—$0 is spent on overheads of the non-profit. We’re looking for people to sponsor and contribute toward women in our program for a year and beyond. You can also step in to give towards specific needs - laptops, celebrating their birthdays - which are significant in their journey of recognizing they are worthy.
Shop: purchase with PURPOSE. www.purposejewelry.org Handmade jewelry made by survivors of human trafficking.
Volunteer: More to come as the HireRight + International Sanctuary partnership develops. Connect with our headquarters to volunteer in Orange County, Mumbai, Cebu, or Kampala by contacting getinvolved@isanctuary.org. We’re always looking for people who could bring their expertise in specific areas - helping us to tell our story of our women more effectively.
Wendy, thank you so much for speaking at our IWD 2024 event and sharing International Sanctuary’s story here and in our World Wide Women group. We are happy to help support such a wonderful cause.
We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with HireRight and for all the support and dedication to the mission to help girls and women escaping human trafficking. Through our partnership and your genuine engagement, HireRight has made a significant impact on the lives of girls and women recovering from human trafficking. Together, we are not only raising awareness about the critical issue of human trafficking, but also providing survivors with the opportunities they need to rebuild their lives. We are proud to have HireRight as a partner in the fight against human trafficking, and we look forward to achieving even greater milestones together in the future.
Release Date: March 8, 2024
Teresa Fitzgibbons
Based in London, Teresa has been at HireRight for eight years, originally managing regional marketing teams in EMEA and APAC. For the last two years she has taken the role of Senior Director, Global Field Marketing. Teresa took over the role of President of the then newly formed Global World Wide Women Group in 2020 and with the help of a great group of board members and allies, has been actively trying to create a global group that gives people the opportunity to network, learn, and celebrate the success of the formidable women in HireRight. Prior to HireRight, Teresa spent over 20 years working for the NatWest Group of companies starting in branch banking and building up to a number of Senior Corporate Marketing roles before taking time out to travel across Asia and Central America, spending some time working in a school in Pursat Province in Cambodia.