Blog

Rachel Haaga: FACES of Memphis

"It was during a job at Trilogy Tattoos and Piercings that Rachel was first introduced to the realities of human trafficking. Today, she works to raise trafficking awareness, fight for systemic changes and empower survivors." Said Gaye Swan, a freelance writer with StyleBlueprint. Just recently Rachel had an interview with StyleBlueprint whose focus is  "Connecting Women to Their ...

What is one thing people don't talk about when it comes to Human Trafficking that they should?

The following are responses from Restore Corps team members in response to the question asking "What is one thing people don't talk about when it comes to Human Trafficking that they should?"

Cattle Call Podcast Interview w/ Rachel Haaga and Julia Bey

Recently Rachel and Julia had the opportunity to sit down with Isaac at Cattle Call Podcast. Cattle Call focuses on "anything and everything", and this week they chatted all about Restore Corps. Check out part one and part two here:

New Beginnings

Topic: What does the word "future" and a "new year" mean to you?

Human Trafficking Awareness Month Legislative & Policy Roundtable

In honor of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Restore Corps along with Grow free Tennessee and End Slavery Tennessee held second virtual roundtable discussion. This time, the three Tennessee Anti-Slavery Alliance partners were joined by Shared Hope International (Christine Raino) and Tennessee State Legislators Rep. Debra Moody, Rep. London Lamar, and Rep. Mary Littleton.

An Introspect On The Meaning of MLK Day

Today is Friday, January 22, 2021. It’s almost a week after MLK Day. I didn’t post about Martin Luther King Jr last week. I always consider it, but I hesitate to ensure I “get it right.” I think we can all agree it’s quite easy to post something to social media and then go about our days. ​In a world where it’s become so easy to share thoughts and opinions, ...

Two Mid-South organizations team up for Human Trafficking Awareness Month

“At the end of the day, it is discouraging to know that that number is likely higher," said Rachel Haaga, Restore Corps.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month Lunch & Learn

Categories: Press Release

Partners from the Tennessee Anti-Trafficking Alliance (TASA) gathered together to have a Webinar on Facebook Live. Executive Director, Rachel Sumner Haaga hosted the event. During the round table discussion, professionals Coasy Hale, Director of Survivor Services from Restore Corps, Tia Bowden, Intervention Coordinator from End Slavery Tennessee, and Lisa Bolton, Director of Youth Services from ...

Gratitude in Our Work with Survivors

In this season of gratitude, I am reminded of what a privilege it is to serve our survivors on a day to day basis. To be involved in the day-to-day process of healing and restoration of our residents is an honor and gift to be a part of.  

Survivor Christmas Wishlists

For most people, the holiday season means time with family, fun with friends, wonderful meals, and exchanging special gifts. But for others, those whose lives have been picked apart by exploitation, the idea of a happy holiday is much harder to understand. They may not have family or friends to celebrate with, big meals to indulge in, and gifts are the last of their ...

COVID-19 and Restore Corps

Sometimes, I look back and it seems as if I just woke up one day and a pandemic was here. I remember it being a distant fear, but I can hardly remember it becoming our daily reality. I could never have guessed all that was to come.  I guess no one could.

What We Think About #saveourchildren

I love being a part of the counter-trafficking movement. I have been working with survivors in some capacity since fall of 2008 - advocating, freedom fighting, crying and cheering for over 10 years. 

Worldwide Red Sand Project to Honor Human Trafficking Suriviors Comes to Memphis

House passes Human Sex Trafficking Bill inspired by Cyntoia Brown

Local educators receive human trafficking training

“According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, human trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal industry in our state, just behind drug trafficking,” continued Shoup. “We are fortunate in Tennessee to be leading the way with human trafficking Laws.”

TBI: Human trafficking tactics more coercive than zip-tie windshield “hoax”

“What we have seen a lot more often is called a Romeo pimp or a boyfriend pimp,” said Rachel Haaga, the executive director at Restore Corps. “So the client, survivor the victim feels like she is in a relationship she doesn’t want to leave.”

Woman tells police she was held hostage in motel, forced into sex trafficking

“It’s out there it’s happening every day. It’s definitely one of the most prolific crimes happening in our community that people just don’t know about,” Haaga said. “Victims are exploited for the demands of the trafficker but the demand is what drives it all.”

Restore Corps Volunteer Trainings

Passionate about ending human trafficking? Wanting to donate some time to helping restore lives? Become a Restore Corps volunteer! During our 1.5 hour long training session, you will learn the ins and outs of volunteering with an anti-trafficking organization and how to work with trafficking survivors. At the end, you'll be equipped for many various volunteer jobs within our organization. Pick ...

New bill offers human trafficking curriculum in schools

Advocates working to close loophole that allows child predators to have record wiped clean

As it stands now, if judges so chose, when someone appears before them and it’s their first charge like this, the judge can give them the chance to end up with a clean record.

Coley looks back on his work after announcing he won’t seek re-election

Man arrested for soliciting 12-year-old for sex

Faith901 Podcast: Restore Corps

Restore Corps is an anti-human trafficking organization based in Memphis, TN. The mission of Restore Corps is to empower trafficking survivors, equip communities and change systems of injustice.

Crosstalk Women's History March

This edition of Crosstalk focuses on Women's History Month. Hear about a local organization empowering women and a group working to end human trafficking.

Bluff City Life - Jan. 24 (Pt. 4 of 4)

Categories: Press Release

Watch the full video at wmcactionnews5.com

Six charged in prostitution arrests near Binghampton school

MEMPHIS, Tenn. —Police arrested four women and two men following an undercover operation about one mile from a school in Binghampton.

Lamar bill could cut sentences for child sex trafficking victims caught in violent acts

Inspired by the story of Cyntoia Brown, state Rep. London Lamar is hoping to give sex-trafficking victims who are minors an earlier chance at redemption if they’re involved in a violent act.

Violent sex offender arrested again after woman accuses him of sex trafficking

MEMPHIS, Tenn. —  A man classified by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation as violent sex offender was taken into custody again after a woman claimed she was the victim of sex trafficking.

Small Steps, Big Change - Episode 2 The Collaboration

As Margie and Ryan began to work together in Tennessee they found they had a unique and vital perspective as a partnership of law enforcement and NGOs. Watch Episdoe 2, and then tell us: What are the partnerships and friendships that you have built while fighting sex trafficking? If you want to become an Activist too, take action ...

Small Steps, Big Change - Episode 1 The Introduction

It all began when Margie Quin and Ryan Dalton met across a long table in an important meeting between the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations and Tennessee legislators...This month we're telling the inspiring story of how two people took small steps that created big change in Tennessee's fight against child sex trafficking. Check out Episode 1 and come back next week for the next part of their ...

National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. What can you do to take a stand and help raise awareness? Restore Corps is inviting the community to join the fight to end human trafficking by asking for ideas to fill each day in January with an event designed to facilitate awareness of the issue.

Coley’s child trafficking legislation making a difference

Tennessee netted the nation’s highest score for child trafficking laws from a national advocacy group for the second straight year, an area state Rep. Jim Coley makes a priority in the Legislature.

Tennessee Tops 2018 Shared Hope International Report Card

Tennessee was given an A and the highest state score from Shared Hope International for the 2018 Human Trafficking Report Card. Tennessee rose two grade levels from 2011 to 2018 and assisted in raising victim protections by 52.7% nationally. The Report Card is based on an analysis of Shared Hope International and sets a national standard of protection against domestic minor sex trafficking.

Tennessee #1 for fighting human trafficking

Tennessee is ranked first in the country for its counter human trafficking legislation, according to Shared Hope International. Read the full story.

4th Annual Memphis Smoke

Join us on October 20, 2018 behind the Tinder Box S. Main location!

Restoring Hope

"Restoring Hope" features interviews with Kelcey Johnson and Jarad Bingham of Hospitality Hub of Memphis, a center dedicated to connecting individuals with the resources they need to begin their journey out of homelessness; Rachel Sumer Haaga of Restore Corps, a non-profit working to eradicate human trafficking; and Jim Kothe of Expedient, a company providing cloud services and giving ...

Stolen Innocence: Saving our youth from world of sex trafficking

A Memphis teenager disappeared, and when the alert was issued, she was labeled as a habitual runaway, but her mother knew it was worse. 

Human Trafficking Targets Children in the Mid-South

Human trafficking is something children are being lured into and something they don`t understand.

FedEx Joins Battle Against Human Trafficking

FedEx is joining the movement to end the trucking industry’s role in human trafficking. The shipping company said it will train its freight drivers to spot victims in need of help, according to a company ...

Restore Corps on WMC Action News 5

Memphis police officers made hundreds of prostitution-related arrests over the last year and a half, but where is prostitution happening the most?

Restore Corps on Channel 5

Trafficking victim recovered in Lakeland, TN just outside Memphis. Channel 5 reports. 

Restore Corps on Choose 901 - Squaring Up

Restore Corps in the Tri-State Defender

Restore Corps on WREG 3

Prostitution. Trafficking. Memphis. 

Memphis 100 - Restore Corps

Authorities: Recent human trafficking sting in Memphis is the biggest one yet statewide

Restore Corps' Executive Director, Rachel Haaga, speaks in Channel 3 coverage of TBI human trafficking Operation Someone Like Me in Memphis  

Former MATA CEO among 42 arrested in human trafficking investigation

Channel 5 coverage of TBI human trafficking Operation Someone Like Me in Memphis  

TBI Announces 42 Arrests In Human Trafficking Operation

Channel 13 coverage of TBI human trafficking Operation Someone Like Me in Memphis  

42 arrested in TBI human trafficking sting operation in Memphis

FOX 17 Nashville coverage of TBI human trafficking Operation Someone Like Me in Memphis  

42 arrested in TBI human trafficking sting operation

Restore Corps' Executive Director, Rachel Haaga, speaks at  press conference following TBI Operation Someone Like in Memphis. Channel 13 Live coverage. 

Ex-MATA CEO among 42 arrested in Memphis prostitution sting

Commercial Appeal coverage of TBI Operation Someone Like Me in Memphis. Nonprofits Restore Corps and End Slavery Tennessee were brought in to help with counseling and treatment for the women who were part of the sting. Human Trafficking. 

35 Non-Profits Memphians Love (And Counting!)

I Love Memphis invited Memphians to weigh in in nonprofits they love. Shannon Little Marketing included Restore Corps. 

Grit Grind Give: Restore Corps

Restore Corps is in the spotlight as JustMyMemphis continues to countdown toward November 29th. #GritGrindGive #GivingTuesday Human Trafficking.

Memphis Restaurant Association Training

Memphis Restaurant Association invites Restore Corps to share about human trafficking and warning signs. 

Faith Cumberland - Helping Hands

Helping Hands is sponsoring Restore Corps for the month of September by donating 25 supply bags to be given to these victims.

We Believe in Memphis

Christ Methodist invited Restore Corps' Executive Director, Rachel Haaga, to share about opportunities to release the captives. Memphis. Human Trafficking. 

When the Defendant Is a Victim

New Court Offers Hope to Victims of Sex Trafficking. Nashville. Davidson County. 

Advocating for the Marginalized in Memphis

Restore Corps' Executive Director, Rachel Haaga, joins: Panel of Memphis Leaders Who Stand Up for the Vulnerable. Human Trafficking.

SGA's Warball tournament benefits Restore Corps

Harding Academy Memphis student body elected to use an annual dodgeball tournament to benefit human trafficking victims in Memphis. Restore Corps. 

Memphis 20<30 2016

Meet 20 young Memphians who are shaping the city's future... Proud of Restore Corps' Board Director, Whitney Trotter, for being nominated for Memphis Flyer 30 under 30. Human Trafficking. 

Connecting Memphis

Sheila, one of Restore Corps' program volunteers shares her story... 

Getting the Word Out - November 2015

Restore Corps joined with End Slavery Tennessee and Second Life Chattanooga at the Department of Child Services Annual Foster Parents Conference

Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association

MMH&LA invited Restore Corps to speak at their member meeting. MMH&LA is the source for information and education, and the advocacy voice for the hotel and lodging industry in the metropolitan Memphis area.

HUEY'S 45th Anniversary Party

HUEY'S is turning 45 and is giving a portion of their sales to Restore Corps. Come and celebrate! 

WREG Channel 3 - Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Restore Corps invited to speak about Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Memphis. 

‘Rhythm and Greens Festival'

...The First Annual Rhythm and Greens Festival is supporting RestoreCorps to show that Memphis will not stand for modern-day slavery. Human Trafficking. 

Sex trafficking reaches into rural towns

Restore Corps invited to speak on a panel about sex trafficking & Tennessee's rural communities

Lawyers Help Fight Human Trafficking in Tennessee

A sordid underworld that most people do not believe exists is thriving in the United States. Human trafficking, an umbrella term describing various forms of exploitation of persons, is commonly thought to be contained to distant countries like Thailand, India or ex-Soviet nations. 

Local Advocate Hoping to Help Stop Human Trafficking

Restore Corps' founder, Ryan Dalton, speaking out about human trafficking... It`s a crime that often happens behind closed doors but human trafficking is on the rise in Memphis. Both adults and children are being forced into the sex business.

Backpage.com: "A tool pornographers and traffickers are using to exploit minors."

Sex trafficking has spread well beyond impoverished pockets of large cities. 

Human Sex Trafficking Luring In Children

Friday afternoon, a federal judge denied bond for child sex trafficking suspect, Victoria Wallace. The 19-year-old  is charged with recruiting three 15-year-old girls into prostitution and getting money from sex acts.