Freedom a la Cart
Who We Are: Freedom a la Cart is a nonprofit organization and catering social enterprise that empowers survivors of human trafficking to build new lives of freedom and self-sufficiency. People are not property. We believe that women who have lived in slavery should be empowered to gain freedom through personal and economic independence. Through offering comprehensive supportive services, practical life skills, paid workforce training and one-on-one case management, Freedom is a place where survivors can heal, learn and grow as their dignity is restored and they prepare to live independently in the community.
What We Do: Freedom a la Cart takes a holistic approach to helping survivors move from vulnerability and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. But Freedom a la Cart offers more than just a job. In partnership with CATCH Court specialty docket in Franklin County, Freedom provides survivors with a myriad of supportive services: including transportation, clothes and personal items, assistance gaining a driver's license, education and housing assistance, life skills training, tattoo removal, and personal mentors. Freedom’s Butterfly program is an innovative, peer-to-peer program that provides a community of long term support to assist survivors with the many obstacles that could divert them off the road toward stabilization.
Why We're Important: Human trafficking, the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, has deep roots in Central Ohio. As many as 1,200 solicitation arrests are made each year in Franklin County. An estimated 92% are identified as victims of human trafficking. These women were trafficked at the average age of 13, and have suffered extensive trauma, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, and poverty. We know that economic independence starts with a sustainable job, but human trafficking survivors face severe barriers to employment. By addressing the link between supportive services, community, and employment, Freedom a la Cart is helping survivors live independently.
How We Impact The Community: Freedom a la Cart provides supportive wraparound services to approximately 300 survivors each year. In the last four years, 75 survivors have also received paid workforce development training, of which 26 have transitioned to sustainable employment in the community. 80% have received no new criminal record. Our results are self-sufficient women who are earning their first paycheck, opening checking & savings accounts, getting their driver's license, buying a car, moving into their own apartments, going to college and regaining custody of their children. Generational impact!
In early 2021, Freedom a la Cart will open its first Freedom a la Cart Café + Bakery, located on 123 E Spring Street in downtown Columbus. The 5,000 square foot space will include a commercial kitchen supporting both catering and the café, café seating, plus a first-of-its kind survivor resource center - The Freedom Center. This project will enable Freedom a la Cart to employ twice as many survivors through our workforce development program, and reach over 600 survivors annually through the resource center. We hope to see you there!
“Freedom has blessed me with much more than a job. Everyday I walk through these doors I receive the support and encouragement I need to keep striving for the life I deserve.”
- Cheyenne
How You Can Help: We invite you to join us in building this city’s most innovative social enterprise and creating long-lasting change in the lives of survivors of human trafficking. There are several ways to support these brave women on their journey toward restoration and self-sufficiency.
Donate. Your gift of $50 provides supportive services to one survivor for a month.
Volunteer. Become a mentor, bring meals to CATCH Court or help in our kitchen.
Order. Select Freedom a la Cart to cater your next event; order holiday cookies through our Cause Cookies campaign; or try our new Chef-designed weekly meal prep service — Freedom at Home.
Donate, volunteer and order at freedomalacart.org.
Connect with Freedom a la Cart
123 East Spring Street Columbus, OH 43215
Mailing Address: 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd., Columbus OH 43220 614-992-3252
Chief Executive Officer: Paula Haines
Email: paula@freedomalacart.org
Board Chair: Kate Finley, Founder + CEO, Belle Communications
