A Note from the Executive Director

In May, I had the honor of joining Ashley’s graduation ceremony. As a She Has A Name Strategies for Success (SFS) scholarship recipient she was matched with a mentor in addition to financial support each semester of her program. Hearing her name announced as a graduate, I was struck by the realization that this moment was a dream that has become a reality.

When SHAN launched SFS in 2018, we had hoped to support survivors through the completion of a degree. You can imagine the barriers that confront survivors of trauma in pursuing education, many of whom are working through sobriety, most who are reunited with family, some of whom carry a criminal record or are awaiting expungement. I was touched considering the small role SHAN played in cheering Ashley on.

In the midst of the vastness of this issue I have HOPE. My 2024 word of the year helps me to look ahead to new opportunities and honor the gifts that have already been invested. It is an honor to serve as the Executive Director of She Has A Name. I am humbly grateful for the unique ways that each of you courageously responds to HT. Together we are making a difference for all those impacted!

Courtney Schmackers, Executive Director

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SHAN believes education opens minds to care for all those impacted by human trafficking and can be a catalyst for connecting community resources with organizational needs.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING 101

In 2024-25 65 community members participated in our Human Trafficking 101 Training offered in a hybrid format in August (28) and February (37). Lower attendance numbers reflected the launch of our Day of Learning in November. Offering a virtual format increased our reach into Canada and across 15 states.

Survey Data:

• 90% strongly agreed the objectives of the training were clearly defined

• 100% agreed the content was organized and easy to follow

• 97.8% agreed the time alotted for the training was sufficient

• Positive Feedback: Many responses express satisfaction with the training, highlighting clarity, organization, and usefulness. Examples include comments such as "Everything was very clear and easy to follow," "You guys are fabulous!," and "Well done! It was really informative!".

• Constructive Criticism and Suggestions: Some participants offered suggestions for improvement, such as rephrasing questions for panelists or using interactive tools like menti.com for more engagement.

• Specific Learning Points and Appreciation: Several responses mentioned specific takeaways or appreciated the depth of information provided, particularly regarding labor trafficking and insights from partnering organizations.

Day of Learning

We gathered everything we’ve learned about human trafficking in one place for 29 attendees to steep themselves in the most up-to-date information. We invited XX our partners to share resources, ways to get involved, and specialty courses around a variety of topics intersecting with human trafficking.

Community Training Requests

By meeting businesses through professional development, SHAN’s Human Trafficking 101 equips employees to identify and appropriately respond to suspected cases. 726 community members tuned in to 14 off-site training programs. We were proud to present at several conferences including:

• International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference

• The SOAP Project’s first ever conference focused on male survivors of human trafficking

• Columbus Educators' Human Trafficking Summit

Online Learning Platform

265 adults and teens accessed the content over the course of the year. In partnership with the Harry C. Moores Foundation and Xcelerate Media SHAN updated our online course with the most recent available data. Top referral sources included our network of partner organizations (43%), from a friend (17%), and online (16%).

Trauma Responsive Care Training

19 people gathered at the Fairfield Inn and Suites and 13 people gathered at La Navona in Gahanna to learn about how trauma effects the body, to hear from lived experience experts, and to practice self care. Nearly half of those who attended were professionals, with another 10% identifying as a survivor of trauma. [[Insert in kind support logos-venue, coffee]]

Photos courtesy of Erika Moore Photo

There is more work to be done…

Many agencies that directly interact with potential victims of trafficking haven’t heard about our comprehensive Human Trafficking 101. When we can recognize the signs and report suspicious cases, we end exploitation and break cycles of poverty.

Will you invest in education to equip more professionals to identify and appropriately respond to exploitation?

Our vision is to see all those impacted by human trafficking restored into society. We act as a resource by providing supportive programing for survivors, thrivers, and solicitors. Our hope is to not only care for those who have already experienced exploitation, but to prevent human trafficking before it ever starts.

April Thacker Dream Scholarship

XX survivors of human trafficking attended She Has A Name’s Dream Sessions in September and March to discover what comes next. 3 Dream Scholarships were awarded for a total of $6,000. Two published books, one took her first ever family vacation, and another got promoted at work and is relocating to launch a new branch.

• St. Alban’s Episcopal Church hosted a book signing for Dream Recipient Karen Monroe. The event included Karen’s family, recovery support community, and SHAN advocates.

Photos courtesy of XXX

strategies for success

academic scholarship

She Has A Name awarded eleven financial scholarships with a total investment of $15,652. Seven of these awards were renewal applications, meaning that survivors aren’t just starting school, they’re completing degrees!

thrivers spiritual + social support groups

Thrivers (survivors in advanced recovery) are often embarking on new leadership, career, and social journeys in addition to new paths in recovery. One of the most impactful outcomes from our group is the number of years women have been connected to the group and their celebrated years of sobriety. Their collective sobriety and shared recovery journey give the group a strong sense of belonging. The shared experiences of trafficking, time in prison, relationships with men, family impacts, and many other commonalities give the group a sense of safety to show up without having to hide who they are.

10 unique survivors of human trafficking are part of the spiritual support group with an average monthly attendance of 6.

spiritual support group

We've had the privilege of serving alongside Lower Lights Recovery through a bi-weekly spiritual support group since 2019. 24 unique individuals participated, with an average weekly attendance of 8. The group compliments physical and mental health resources by providing spiritual and social development, all of which contribute to holistic healing from trauma.

Thank you to Chroma Church for providing meals for spiritual support groups!

There is more to be done…

Thanks to your support we are able to financially and relationally support our students. Because of your donations, we opened the Spring 2026 applications and are promoting them throughout the country. Right now, we have 100 people on the waitlist. Each is hoping for a scholarship valued at $1,000. Every dollar you invest goes directly to a survivor student!

Will you join us and send more survivors through school?

solicitor Education

We hosted four programs in August and November 2025 plus February and May 2026 at Veritas Community Church’s Tri City campus. A total of 143 people completed the program. Net proceeds totaling $18,198.04 were reinvested into our survivor scholarship programs.

In October(?) we launched Solicitor Education Programs, LLC. Separating this program into a standalone for-profit entity enables greater ease in multiplying the program across the country. It is set up as a social enterprise, with proceeds continuing to fund survivor care initiatives.

There is more to be done…

She Has A Name learned about the prevelance of childhood trauma among sex buyers. The next phase of research would provide additional insights around the cultural factors contributing to the acceptance of sex work, and inform cultural-specific care options for buyers. Our sex trafficking demand reduction curriculum is waiting to be connected with men’s groups.

Will you change the conversation about cultural acceptance of sexual exploitation?

We are committed to faithfully and transparently stewarding the people and resources entrusted to our care.

The following figures represent our financial health during our 2024-25 fiscal year from July 1st, 2024 through June 30th, 2025.

We continue to navigate unprecedented personnel turnover. This year, we hired and said goodbye to our Development Director, Kelsey, along with Communications and Marketing Manager, Justyna. We have welcomed Jodi to our Board of Directors as we said goodbye to John-Michael and Rhi.

Previous Reports

She Has A Name was established in 2010. Click the images below to view previous year’s reports.

View SHAN’s IRS Listing (EIN 83-1552393), including our 990 filings here: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019