The Empowered Caregivers Project was born out of the lived experience, insight, and leadership of survivors.

The project is led by Restorations Second Stage Homes, a Canadian charitable organization that provides long-term housing and survivor-led programming for individuals who have experienced human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Since its founding, Restorations has believed that survivors are not only experts in their own healing but also leaders in shaping more compassionate, effective responses to trafficking across communities.

In 2020, Restorations launched a survivor-led Peer Advocacy Program, an initiative offering direct, peer-based support to survivors. Over time, this program grew and adapted alongside the needs of our community. As awareness of human trafficking increased across Canada, one thing became clear: people were learning what human trafficking is and how to recognize it, but there was still uncertainty about how to best support survivors once identified.

It was out of this identified need for more education and the ongoing commitment of our Survivor Staff to lead change that the Empowered Caregivers Project was created.

In 2023, Restorations Second Stage Homes received funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada to develop a comprehensive, survivor-led resource:
the Empowered Caregivers Toolkit. This 29-month project highlights the expertise of survivors to equip caregivers—whether family members, community supporters, or professionals in the gender-based violence sector—with practical tools and trauma-informed strategies to provide effective, compassionate care.

The toolkit aims to strengthen the gender-based violence sector by bridging the gap between awareness and survivor-informed action.

What began as a local survivor-led program has grown into a national effort to empower those who care for survivors—because when caregivers are equipped, communities become stronger and survivors are better supported in their healing journeys.