This project will support the continuation and further expansion of anniecannons career development and student success activities within the coding training program for survivors of human trafficking

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, under the Services for Trafficking Victims program (CFDA 16.320), will provide $750,000 to Anniecannons, Inc. to support the continuation and expansion of their career development and student success activities within their coding training program for survivors of human trafficking. The purpose is to economically empower these survivors through high-skills training, job readiness support, and connecting them to work pathways in the technology industry. Key activities include conducting workshops and seminars on job readiness and career development, providing mentoring relationships with tech industry professionals, offering one-on-one job readiness coaching, and connecting graduates to corporate partners for hiring. Expected outcomes include a replicable program model, measurable increases in participants' problem-solving abilities and self-confidence, an increase in survivors achieving career-ready proficiency in software development, and an increase in survivors offered full-time tech positions upon graduation. The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

The purpose is to economically empower survivors of trafficking through high skills training, job readiness support, and work pathways into the technology industry. Project activities include conducting workshops and seminars on job readiness and career development; providing mentoring relationships for participants with tech industry professionals; providing one-on-one job readiness coaching; and connecting graduates to corporate partners looking to directly hire new technical talent. Expected outcomes include a replicable program model for training, preparing, and connecting survivors of trafficking to sustainable careers in tech; measurable increase in participants problem-solving abilities and self-confidence; an increase in the number of survivors achieving career-ready proficiency in software development skill(s), as measured by industry-standards; and an increase in the number of survivors offered full time positions upon graduation. Through training, coaching, and a community of care, survivors of trafficking can establish sustainable technology careers, break the cycle of exploitation, and achieve economic stability for themselves and their families. Anniecannons will serve 120 survivors over the grant period in the coding training program.