Cast’s Emergency Response Program Manager, Leigh LaChapelle, pens an open letter to our community partners in change and human trafficking victims.

Dear Community Partner,

We at Cast want to update our community about our services and the steps we have taken to protect our clients and staff during COVID-19. Cast is committed to our mission of ending modern slavery through education, advocacy, and empowering survivors of human trafficking. Our team is working diligently to ensure survivors are receiving compassionate care and support during these uncertain times.

In compliance with current guidelines, the majority of our services are being provided remotely and we are equipping our staff and survivors with the knowledge and materials they need to keep themselves safe. Our 24/7 hotline and Emergency Response Program is still operational and serving survivors of sex and labor trafficking of all demographics in Los Angeles County. If you are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to call our hotline at (888) 539-2373.

Though we have made adjustments in an effort to ensure client and staff safety, our operations have not ceased and we are still able to connect human trafficking survivors to safe emergency shelter, access to basic needs, relocation assistance, legal consultation, and long-term social and legal services.

We greatly appreciate your continued partnership during this time as we all work to ensure that marginalized individuals who are at-risk of or have experienced human trafficking know that help is out there and they will be seen and heard during this crisis  We are thinking of all of you during this time and wishing you welln.ess and resilience as you weather this unprecedented situation.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns about the Emergency Response Program or enrolling a survivor in services. Thank you.

In Solidarity,

Leigh LaChapelle

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Leigh LaChapelle (they/them) is the Emergency Response Program Manager at the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking in Los Angeles California. This program includes a 24 hour hotline and a team of advocates who provide in person crisis services to escaping survivors of human trafficking of all ages and demographics. This program is instrumental to CAST’s mission of ending modern slavery through education, advocacy, and empowering survivors. Prior to working with CAST LA, LaChapelle graduated with BA’s in Psychology and Gender Studies from the College of Charleston. They have managed a 24/7emergency response program for survivors of sexual violence and served on the board of directors for an LGBTQ+ non-profit focusing on trauma-informed program development.