Ohio awards more than $2 million to 32 nonprofits serving human trafficking survivors
The state Office of Criminal Justice Services named this year's recipients of its Direct Services for Victims of Human Trafficking grants, which pay for advocacy, counseling, job help and housing in 35 counties and statewide.
Columbus. Ohio's Office of Criminal Justice Services has awarded more than $2 million to 32 nonprofit organizations that serve survivors of human trafficking in 35 counties, along with several groups that work across the whole state, according to the office's announcement as reported on Nov. 5 by WSYX and WKEF, WFMJ and AVC News.
The money comes from the Direct Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Grant Program, which Gov. Mike DeWine started in 2023 to serve a growing number of sex and labor trafficking victims in the state. The office, a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, runs the program.
What the grants pay for
Grantees can use the money for victim advocacy, mental health services, education and employment support, and shelter or housing programs. Nonprofits that give direct support to trafficking victims, or to people considered at high risk of being trafficked, were eligible, and applicants showing evidence based and survivor informed programs received priority.
The program was built with the Ohio General Assembly and first paid for in the state's previous two year operating budget. The budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 kept it going.
Who received awards
In Franklin County, recipients named in the coverage include Freedom a la Cart, Huckleberry House, the National Youth Advocate Program and Star House. In the Mahoning Valley, COMPASS Family and Community Services received $90,000 and the Harriet Tubman Movement, which works in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, received $77,849. Tri-County Help Center will receive $47,352 to serve Belmont, Harrison and Monroe counties.
Three organizations received grants to serve survivors statewide: Asian Services in Action, $94,999.78; Gracehaven, $85,909.06; and Empower Her Network, $90,000.
The round follows one the office announced in October 2025, when it said more than $2 million would go to 33 nonprofits in 16 counties, plus several groups working statewide.
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