Next-Steps-Forward
The National Court Appointed Special Advocates and Guardians Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children reports that more than 100,000 children are trafficked each year. The Safe House Project states that 300,000 American children are victims of commercial sexual exploitation each year. In addition, the National Children’s Alliance estimates 558,899 children (unique incidents) were victims of abuse and neglect in the U.S. in 2022, the most recent year for which there is national data. That’s 8 children out of every thousand.
Young survivors of trafficking and abuse must deal with a range of potentially life-changing effects, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as sleep and memory problems. Leaving their terrible situation is only the start.
At Next-Steps-Forward, our mission is to connect adolescent survivors of human trafficking and other types of abuse with providers of equine-assisted services. We strive to help them take the next steps in transforming their lives through the healing power of the horse-human bond. We imagine a society where survivors get the support they need to flourish.
Empowerment
We believe that the human-equine bond is transformational and empowering.
Innovation
At Next Steps Forward, we are committed to staying informed about the latest advancements in equine assisted learning and communicating that knowledge to our equine facility partners.
Accountability
Next Steps Forward is committed to transparency and accountability in every aspect of our process, from curriculum development to finances..