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More2Life describes survivor-led services, trauma‑responsive curriculum and demand‑reduction program
Summary
More2Life executive director Dawn Sachs told the Hillsborough County Commission on Human Trafficking on July 24 that the nonprofit provides wraparound services across six Florida counties, has developed a survivor‑informed trauma‑responsive curriculum for providers and is launching a restorative‑justice program aimed at reducing demand.
Dawn Sachs, executive director of the nonprofit More2Life, told the Commission on Human Trafficking on July 24 that her organization provides wraparound services for people exploited by trafficking and has expanded across six counties including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Miami‑Dade. "We don't settle for temporary fixes. We focus on building identity and self worth, providing care that heals and not just responds, and reeducating offenders instead of recycling harm," Sachs said.
Why it matters: More2Life said its model uses survivor mentors, clinician advocates and long‑term case management to support clients from about age 10 through 28, and that its services include housing support, behavioral‑health coordination, life skills, prevention education and restorative‑justice programming aimed at people who purchase sexual services. The commission heard that the group developed a trauma‑responsive curriculum after finding that standard trauma‑informed trainings were not consistently implemented at service sites.
Sachs said the trauma‑responsive curriculum was developed with input from survivors and is available for case managers, law enforcement and others. "This curriculum was really developed by survivors," she said, and the work was supported by "appropriations through the state of Florida." She said More2Life can share the curriculum with county partners.
Kim Figueroa, identified in the meeting as More2Life's law enforcement advocacy specialist and a survivor mentor, described work alongside police to improve victim‑centered responses. "The partnership wasn't there...and so just really being able to come alongside them and partner with them and just give them the information from a victim's perspective," Figueroa said, adding that the role includes in‑field guidance, court accompaniment and training to improve investigations and prosecutions.
Sachs also described a restorative justice course intended to address demand. She said the program is being developed in partnership with other offices and has run in some circuits, with a goal of broader rollout. "Our Restorative Justice to In Demand. This is a course that is, for men, for perpetrators," she said.
The commission did not take action on any More2Life proposals during the meeting. Commission members asked that More2Life share its curriculum and said they would explore partnership and outreach opportunities. More2Life said it is undergoing rebranding and will provide updated one‑page materials when available.
Ending: Commissioners and staff asked More2Life to provide materials and indicated interest in further conversations about training, the restorative‑justice curriculum and using survivor mentors in local cases. No procurement, contract awards or spending decisions were made at the July 24 meeting.
