By Soraya Ross-Wiley
In 2016, Elizabeth Koldyke Boolbol assisted in founding PEHT when she, along with others, acknowledged human trafficking as a local issue. PEHT works to help rebuild the lives of survivors and help them navigate their recovery. This fall, PEHT partnered with Chikahisa Studio to produce the “Love Bracelet” which is spreading awareness and raising funds to fight against human trafficking. This collaboration exemplifies how businesses can drive social change. The bracelet collection offers consumers a tangible way to support a crucial cause while providing survivors with economic opportunities and a path to recovery.
Recently GIFF got the opportunity to hear from Katie Rolleri, the Senior Director of Development and Operations to learn about PEHT’s initiatives and processes along with details about this new collaboration.
How did you get involved with Partnership to End Human Trafficking (PEHT)? Can you share a little about your experience and role within the organization?
I am the Senior Director of Development and Operations with PEHT. Over the past 17 years, I have held positions in public accounting, corporate finance, and I also have a background in secondary and post-secondary education. Prior to joining PEHT, I ran my own consulting practice, working with small businesses and nonprofit organizations, many in the addiction and recovery space. In my role with PEHT, I oversee the social enterprise business and supervise various administrative functions including development and finance. I have always been drawn to mission-focused work, and I was thrilled to join the PEHT team and be part of this amazing mission to support survivors of human trafficking.
Please tell us about PEHT’s approach to Educate, Embrace, and Empower?
PEHT’s service delivery is divided into three pillars: Embrace, Empower, Educate. Embrace: PEHT welcomes residential and community-based clients, offering wrap-around supportive services that are free of charge. PEHT operates two residential
homes Statewide in Connecticut, serving victims fleeing trafficking regardless of their state or country of origin. Empower: PEHT offers survivors of human trafficking vocational training and in-house employment opportunities at the “PEHT Shop” our social enterprise business. Educate: PEHT seeks to educate direct service providers and the community-at-large regarding the presence of human trafficking including how to identify, prevent, and respond to victims.
How has this helped with economic empowerment for survivors?
At PEHT, we strive to not only meet the immediate needs of survivors but also to empower them to move through and forward. This is where “The PEHT Shop” comes in. “The PEHT Shop” is a retail business that manufactures and distributes products handcrafted by trafficking survivors and women whose economic vulnerability makes them potential targets for traffickers. Many of our clients face significant barriers to employment including mental health challenges and legal barriers like felony convictions. The PEHT Shop provides paid employment, first-time access to bank accounts, debt relief and consolidation guidance, and assistance with obtaining government issued identification and work authorizations.
What is art therapy and how have you seen its impact?
Art therapy is a therapeutic method that addresses emotional issues using creative outlets. In these sessions, survivors participate in expressive art and movement therapy and engage in detailed discussions regarding emotional management, stress management, and understanding of their own trauma and triggers. Art therapy provides survivors with additional tools and methods to cope with their trauma in a format that may allow for easier expression than talk therapy. In conjunction with traditional talk therapy, PEHT has noticed emotional breakthroughs for clients when they are allowed additional therapeutic outlets such as art therapy.
How has conscious consumerism played a part in PEHT’s growth?
Conscious consumerism has played a huge role in PEHT’s mission and growth. As an anti-trafficking organization, we place a strong emphasis on ethical labor and production. There is increasing interest in “purchasing with purpose”. More and more people are seeking transparency about where their products come from and the impact
on those involved in production, which is an encouraging shift for organizations like PEHT. This movement not only helps us build a more sustainable business model but it also highlights the importance of education. Each time a consumer shops with PEHT, they not only support ethical practices but also become more informed about the realities of human trafficking and the importance of ethical labor standards.
How did the new collaboration with Chikahisa on the LOVE bracelet come to be?
We were thrilled to begin working with the founder of Chikahisa Studio, Ann Chikahisa, on this product collaboration. One of our amazing PEHT team and advisory board members made the connection between PEHT and Ann Chikahisa, and from there we worked together to develop a beautiful new product collaboration for our social enterprise business. The “Love Bracelet” is a beautiful brass and leather heart bracelet handmade by the PEHT Shop team.
What factors make up a successful collaboration?
There are many factors that go into a successful collaboration but for us, the most important factor in working with partners is the understanding and respect for PEHT’s mission, and passion for the work on both sides of the relationship. In our partnership with Chikahisa Studios, it isn’t just about making beautiful, hand-crafted symbols of love; it was the start of a genuine relationship with Ann, who truly cares about the work we are doing. Ann’s passion for supporting women aligns with PEHT in a very meaningful way, as relationships are at the core of the work we do. This past June, Ann even flew out from Seattle to lead a bracelet-making workshop with our team at The PEHT Shop, which demonstrated her commitment to this partnership, built meaningful relationships with our PEHT Shop team, and ultimately made the collaboration even more significant.
I know that PEHT has expanded a lot recently, what does this mean for the future of the initiative?
We are extremely proud of the immense growth PEHT has seen over the last few years. Our staff has tripled in size, and we now have an additional full-time clinical survivor advocate which doubled our community-based care service reach in Bridgeport. We have also opened our second residential home that provides 24/7 supportive care in the
greater Hartford area. We’ve also significantly advanced our business model over this past year within our social enterprise, taking deliberate steps to further center the experiences and voices of survivor employees. By prioritizing their leadership and expertise, we have been able to foster a thriving work environment.
Is there anything else you would like to share about this collaboration or any upcoming events at PEHT?
Another exciting update for PEHT is that we are moving our PEHT Shop location to a beautiful storefront in downtown Fairfield! We will be officially launching the new space in December (more details to come!) and we are so excited about the new opportunities and growth that will come with this move.
How can people get involved with PEHT and support the great work you are doing?
Anyone can support PEHT and our mission to provide survivors of human trafficking with a pathway toward healing and independence. Please visit our website to learn more about trafficking in CT, volunteer opportunities, and all the work PEHT is doing (www.peht.org).
