National anti-trafficking leader expands its long-term survivor support strategy by welcoming Elevate Academy and the Survivor Inclusion Initiative.
Washington, D.C. — July 29, 2026
Polaris today announced the launch of its Workforce Development & Economic Mobility Initiative, a new strategic pillar that marks the next chapter in the organization’s work to ensure survivors not only leave exploitation, but have the opportunity for long term freedom through meaningful careers, financial security, and lasting prosperity.
Building on more than two decades of national leadership in survivor resource navigation, research, survivor engagement, and systems change, the initiative reflects Polaris’ long-term vision for strengthening the conditions that help survivors thrive while helping prevent future exploitation. As part of this new chapter, Polaris is welcoming Elevate Academy and the Survivor Inclusion Initiative (SII), bringing together nationally recognized expertise in workforce development and financial empowerment to create a more coordinated continuum of survivor support.
For more than twenty years, Polaris has worked alongside survivors to transform how communities respond to human trafficking. Throughout that work, survivors have consistently shared that leaving exploitation is only the beginning. Lasting freedom depends on meaningful work, financial stability, supportive relationships, and the opportunity to build a future on their own terms.
“Survivors have been telling Polaris for years that exiting trafficking is only the first step,” said Megan Lundstrom, Chief Executive Officer of Polaris. “Lasting freedom comes from having the opportunity to build a life through meaningful work, financial stability, supportive relationships, and the ability to define your own future. This initiative represents the next evolution of Polaris’ direct service strategy by applying what we’ve learned from survivors to strengthen the conditions that prevent exploitation before it occurs.”
“That’s what Elevate Academy has worked toward for more than a decade—helping survivors build the lives they choose,” said Rebecca. “We’ve seen what’s possible when survivors have access to professional development, career opportunities, and a community that believes in their potential. Joining Polaris allows us to bring that opportunity to more survivors than ever before. Together, we’re building a future where survivors don’t just survive – they thrive.”
“From the beginning, the Survivor Inclusion Initiative was built on a simple idea: survivors deserve equitable access to the financial systems that create opportunity and long-term stability. We’ve proven what’s possible through collaboration across the financial sector, survivor leadership, and the anti-trafficking field. By joining Polaris, we’re ensuring this work doesn’t just continue—it grows, reaching more survivors and helping shape systems that are more inclusive, responsive, and resilient for years to come.” – Barry Koch
The Workforce Development & Economic Mobility Initiative brings together:
- Resource Navigation: Connecting survivors to housing, healthcare, legal services, public benefits, education, financial resources, employment supports, and community-based care.
- Workforce Development: Survivor-led career readiness, professional coaching, employer engagement, and long-term career pathways through Elevate Academy.
- Financial Mobility: Expanding access to banking, credit repair, financial capability, and tools that address barriers such as coerced debt and financial exclusion through the Survivor Inclusion Initiative.
- Research and Continuous Learning: Using survivor feedback and outcome data to continually improve services while informing the broader anti-trafficking field.
These partnerships reflect Polaris’s commitment to stewarding survivor-led innovation. Rather than duplicating proven models, Polaris is expanding the reach of trusted partners whose expertise strengthens the field and creates a more connected ecosystem of survivor support.
As Polaris continues to evolve, the organization remains committed to pairing survivor resource navigation with national research, trusted intelligence, technology, and systems change. Insights generated through resource navigation, survivor engagement, and workforce development not only improve individual outcomes; they identify systemic barriers, strengthen institutions, and help prevent exploitation before it occurs. Together, these partnerships with Elevate Academy and the Survivor Inclusion Initiative reflect Polaris’s vision for the future of the anti-trafficking movement; one with less duplication, more coordination, and where survivors not only access services, but also build meaningful careers, financial security, and lasting prosperity while helping shape the systems designed to serve them.
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About Polaris
Polaris is a leading nonprofit organization working to create a world where human trafficking is no longer possible. For nearly two decades, Polaris has helped shape the national response to human trafficking by turning survivor insight, data, and frontline experience into action. Today, Polaris stewards community intelligence to strengthen collective action and prevent exploitation; advancing survivor-centered research, technology, financial and workforce mobility, and cross-sector collaboration. Through its work, Polaris helps communities and institutions better understand how trafficking happens, identify where systems fall short, and build solutions that create lasting pathways to safety, stability, and prosperity.
