Learkana Chong
Address: 436 14th Street Ste. 150, 94612, United StatesTel: 1-510-251-2070
www.facebook.com/MISSSEYIncorporated/
twitter.com/misssey_org
www.linkedin.com/company-beta/6465153/ 
Specialist areas of work and services:
Description:
MISSSEY is a community-based nonprofit in Oakland, CA that provides holistic, trauma-informed social services to sex trafficking victims.
Experience, Background and Services:
In 2007, two survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and two allies working as social service providers in Oakland, CA recognized that the needs of commercially sexually exploited girls weren’t being fully met by youth serving systems. Together, they founded MISSSEY as a community-based, gender conscious response to the rising epidemic of child sex trafficking, and as a safe space for exploited and at-risk girls to receive supportive services.
MISSSEY's longstanding partnerships with other youth serving organizations, government agencies, and connections with survivors have taught us that commercially sexually exploited youth require consistent non-judgmental, cross-sector supports; safe spaces for healing; and meaningful opportunities for growth. MISSSEY facilitates the inner transformation of sexually exploited children by holistically addressing their specific needs with the following customized direct services:
Intensive Case Management - Intensive case management provides each child with needs assessment, support to engage in therapeutic services, education, employment, enrichment, and positive recreational activities, and assists the child in meeting basic needs. The case manager works closely with each child's family and/or system provider to ensure the child is in a safe, supportive residential setting. An important part of case management is recognizing the child's efforts and accomplishments. Thus, every child receives incentives for goals met and for efforts put forth. Case management typically lasts between one and three years.
The Safe Place Alternative (SPA) - AII MISSSEY clients who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation are offered SPA services. The SPA is open Monday-Friday from 1:00- 6:00pm during critical after-school hours. Services are provided on a drop-in basis to girls and female-identified-transgender youth ages 14-24. SPA is staffed by a coordinator with a background in arts as healing and experience facilitating youth groups. SPA encourages critical reflection, life skills development and self-sufficiency training, enrichment and recreational activities, connections to resources and opportunities for long-term sustainability. A healthy meal, snacks, and access to clean clothes and toiletries are provided each day. SPA also aims to provide all clients with family-style support through celebratory events such as holiday dinners, special occasion gifts, birthday parties, and field trips.
Mentorship - Through our Lasting Links Mentorship Program, MISSSEY links clients with safe and supportive adults in the community. These mentors provide emotional support and positive role modeling. Volunteer mentors are selected, screened, and trained by MISSSEY staff and provided with ongoing supports.
Prevention and Training: MISSSEY’s prevention sessions are interactive workshops for girls identified as vulnerable to trafficking. The curriculum centers girls’ lived experiences and ensures young people have the knowledge to protect themselves.
In the past 10 years since its founding, MISSSEY has established itself as a respected and nationally recognized leader in the anti-trafficking field, as well as the premier survivor-led anti-trafficking nonprofit in the East Bay. Our work to end exploitation through comprehensive, trauma- and survivor-informed services has been honored by the Interagency Children’s Policy Council of Alameda County, Oakland City Council, California Legislature Assembly, CBS News, Soroptimist International, and the East Bay Express, among others.
- Sex Trafficking
Description:
MISSSEY is a community-based nonprofit in Oakland, CA that provides holistic, trauma-informed social services to sex trafficking victims.
Experience, Background and Services:
In 2007, two survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and two allies working as social service providers in Oakland, CA recognized that the needs of commercially sexually exploited girls weren’t being fully met by youth serving systems. Together, they founded MISSSEY as a community-based, gender conscious response to the rising epidemic of child sex trafficking, and as a safe space for exploited and at-risk girls to receive supportive services.
MISSSEY's longstanding partnerships with other youth serving organizations, government agencies, and connections with survivors have taught us that commercially sexually exploited youth require consistent non-judgmental, cross-sector supports; safe spaces for healing; and meaningful opportunities for growth. MISSSEY facilitates the inner transformation of sexually exploited children by holistically addressing their specific needs with the following customized direct services:
Intensive Case Management - Intensive case management provides each child with needs assessment, support to engage in therapeutic services, education, employment, enrichment, and positive recreational activities, and assists the child in meeting basic needs. The case manager works closely with each child's family and/or system provider to ensure the child is in a safe, supportive residential setting. An important part of case management is recognizing the child's efforts and accomplishments. Thus, every child receives incentives for goals met and for efforts put forth. Case management typically lasts between one and three years.
The Safe Place Alternative (SPA) - AII MISSSEY clients who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation are offered SPA services. The SPA is open Monday-Friday from 1:00- 6:00pm during critical after-school hours. Services are provided on a drop-in basis to girls and female-identified-transgender youth ages 14-24. SPA is staffed by a coordinator with a background in arts as healing and experience facilitating youth groups. SPA encourages critical reflection, life skills development and self-sufficiency training, enrichment and recreational activities, connections to resources and opportunities for long-term sustainability. A healthy meal, snacks, and access to clean clothes and toiletries are provided each day. SPA also aims to provide all clients with family-style support through celebratory events such as holiday dinners, special occasion gifts, birthday parties, and field trips.
Mentorship - Through our Lasting Links Mentorship Program, MISSSEY links clients with safe and supportive adults in the community. These mentors provide emotional support and positive role modeling. Volunteer mentors are selected, screened, and trained by MISSSEY staff and provided with ongoing supports.
Prevention and Training: MISSSEY’s prevention sessions are interactive workshops for girls identified as vulnerable to trafficking. The curriculum centers girls’ lived experiences and ensures young people have the knowledge to protect themselves.
In the past 10 years since its founding, MISSSEY has established itself as a respected and nationally recognized leader in the anti-trafficking field, as well as the premier survivor-led anti-trafficking nonprofit in the East Bay. Our work to end exploitation through comprehensive, trauma- and survivor-informed services has been honored by the Interagency Children’s Policy Council of Alameda County, Oakland City Council, California Legislature Assembly, CBS News, Soroptimist International, and the East Bay Express, among others.
