The risk of sexual exploitation and trafficking among teens and young adults is rising here in New England.
Take a walk in the shoes of today’s at-risk youth, teen and adult survivors of human trafficking, as well as those who continue to be exploited every day. This exhibit is designed to both educate you about the risks and realities of sexual exploitation in our communities and to allow you to experience the emotion of a survivor’s journey. Our artists are local teens or survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking who have created unique shoe art, visually sharing their personal stories and experiences.
We invite you to be a part of their story.
In Their Shoes
A MULTI-MEDIA EDUCATIONAL EVENT
Purpose
To educate communities about the local problem of sexual exploitation and trafficking in their own communities and to activate them to be a part of the solution, and to highlight Thrive New England and its Preventative and Restorative Care programs as a resource.
Timeline/Locations
This will be a traveling event and we are looking for unique locations and communities to host this educational art installation. This event is fluid and has room to expand. Our current projection is to have 4-6 locations host our event, April - September of 2025.
This list is growing!
Gallery Locations
APRIL
Exhibit Open April 6 - 25
Thank you for making this event a success!
Gallery Preview
Learn about each unique story.
These shoes represent the growth of something beautiful out of trauma and hardship. This teen client has overcome many years of difficult, abusive, and exploitative relationships. After a lot of hard work, healing work, prevention training, and mentorship with Thrive, she is forming healthy relationships, finding balance and boundaries in her life, and looking forward to a bright future. She has been recognized for her leadership in the community and for her amazing creative skills. Stories like hers are a reminder of the resilience of teens and their ability to overcome and succeed against any and all odds.
This pair of shoes was created to honor one of Thrive’s adult survivors who passed away during her healing journey. The way that the shoes mirror each other represents a reflection of both her life and the life of freedom she never got to experience. Many survivors face significant barriers stemming from their trauma, often leading them back into cycles of abuse, substance use, homelessness, and other dangerous situations. We mourn the loss of this beautiful young woman and hope to honor her memory by continuing our mission: helping survivors, raising awareness, and providing education to end exploitation.
Who are the artists?
Learn more about each story at our next gallery exhibit.
This piece honors the suffering and strength that coexists within every survivor's journey...
This survivor is free from abuse, unhealthy relationships, and risky behaviors...
This young artist found a powerful way to express herself...
She experienced over 20 years of abuse, exploitation, and trauma...
He wants to be a man who is safe, trustworthy, and loving...
We invite you to be a part of their story.
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Are you a survivor? Share your story and add to the exhibit by contacting us.
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Promote our event amongst your communities
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Host our event
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Provide in-kind services such as catering or art/shoe supplies
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Financially support our event through sponsorship
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Introduce us to other potential event sponsors / supporters
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Become an In Their Shoes committee team member; help with fundraising, event planning, location set up, event production, marketing, art support, etc
Thank you to our sponsors.
 The Freedom CafeThe Freedom Cafe of Durham is a non-profit specialty café dedicated to ending human trafficking and the commercial exploitation of all people. |  The Aplomb GalleryAplomb is a contemporary portrait gallery and creative space in downtown Dover. Featuring group/solo exhibitions, workshops and home of The Aplomb Project. |
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Please consider becoming a sponsor of this event.
Through your sponsorship of this event, you join our team of resilience builders working to end sexual exploitation and trafficking here in New England and beyond! Thank you!
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at jholt@thrivenewengland.org.
Our Programs
We offer solutions to prevent exploitation before it starts
and serve those who have already experienced or been affected by commercial sexual violence.
Prevent
Restore
Thrive
