The Los Angeles-based Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (Cast) has been named the 2019 National Award Winner of the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award.
The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.
Chairman and CEO of Mutual of America Foundation, Thomas Gilliam.
“The Award Selection Committee was impressed by the program’s impact on the lives of the targeted population and the impressive results of this dynamic partnership since its inception.”
Cast is the recipient of the Thomas J. Moran Award in recognition of its groundbreaking partnership with Dignity Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. This unique partnership aims to ensure victims of human trafficking are identified in healthcare settings by Survivor Advocates working alongside health practitioners.
A 2016 Cast study found that 97% of victims were never provided with information or resources about trafficking from healthcare providers. Over the last year, 105 potential human trafficking victims have been identified in four Dignity Health hospitals as a result of their partnership with Cast.
“Cast has been leading the charge to end human trafficking through cutting-edge partnerships that identify and empower survivors in new sectors. It is truly an honor to be recognized for our commitment to survivors and innovative teamwork.”
Cast CEO, Kay Buck.
Cast stands in partnership with over 3,000 cultural and faith-based community groups, healthcare organizations, and government agencies that work collaboratively to provide accessible services and justice for survivors. Cast is committed to strengthening its partnerships with leading anti-trafficking organizations and coalitions around the country, as well as forging new relationships with service providers to meet the increase in demand for social and legal services in Los Angeles County. For more information about Cast’s partnerships and outreach visit https://www.castla.org/about/services/.