ATLANTA — Traffickers prey upon vulnerabilities, making gaining and maintaining control of their victims easier.
Which is why there is a direct link between homelessness and human trafficking.
Covenant House Georgia can house more than 100 young adults between 18-24 years old who are experiencing homelessness and escaping trafficking.
Alfred Garner, Chief of Programs at Covenant House Georgia, said the organization offers a variety of resources: "That looks like support services, case management, academic support, workforce development, youth engagement and recreational therapy."
He added, "Most importantly, a housing factor, we provide different tiers of housing for young adults."
Garner said it's this basic need many young adults lack across the city.
"Based on the last PIT (Point In Time) count that we had in the city of Atlanta, we had approximately 3,300-3,500 young people that they counted as being homeless," Garner explained.
He explained that by the end of this fiscal year, more than 1,700 young adults will walk through their doors.
"So, we're tapping on a little bit of a 1/3 of that number," Garner explained. He pointed out that it leaves more than a thousand young adults out on the streets who become vulnerable to being exploited.
"I think human trafficking is aligned with gun violence," he said.
But Garner said, unfortunately, gun violence gets far more attention because when it happens, it's so noticeable in the community. He wants people to know Covenant House Georgia is always open.
"It's important to know this is a safe space, and when it comes to housing and receiving food and other immediacies that you need on a day-to-day basis, you can come here and receive those things, and you don't have to sacrifice who you are to be able to get that," Garner explained.
He added, "We take everybody as they are as long as you're from the ages of 18-24."
Garner said they always seek kind-hearted people to help them serve those in need. You can find ways to help here.