Annmarie Boulay is Executive Director and co-founder of The Underground NE (UGNE), which is a faith-based non-profit that brings together churches in Connecticut & NE to fight against the injustices of human trafficking in their:region. UGNE provides community awareness education, prevention resources to front line workers, and direct supports to victims and survivors. Since 2005, Annmarie has also been on staff at Wintonbury Church in Bloomfield, as the Director of Connecting and Women's Ministries. She is a graduate of St. John's Business School and has worked in the marketplace for over 20 years in regional management. She founded Pinnacle Consulting, a business that provided consultation in 3rd party insurance to long-term and assisted living facilities.
Annmarie Boulay is a lifelong native of Massachusetts and resides in Longmeadow with her husband of 27 years, Brian. She loves spending time with her family, and enjoys a full life that includes traveling, motivational speaking, and mentoring leaders.
The program that we heard from Underground NE was not about the underground railway and the rescue of slaves, as many of us thought, when we first heard about the program, but is an organization dedicated to helping the victims of sex-trafficking. This is a problem that hits close to home, including in the Farmington Valley. Over 3,000 kids have been reported trafficked in CT with over 300 reports from last year. 67% of the children who are victimized are still living at home. Initial contact is often made through social media with the trafficker pretending to be a peer.
Annmarie gave a moving but very disturbing presentation on a topic that most of us probably knew little about. From online enticement, to forced participation, with the cooperation of unsavory businesses; the picture that was painted was very dark. UGNE is a source of support and outreach to victims and families. Annmarie did a wide ranging presentation starting with her initial involvement, where she went to the Berlin Turnpike and just observed what was happening. It was clearly visible and in broad daylight. Most of the material below is taken from their website, which, if you are interested in learning more or helping out, you should visit. https://theundergroundne.org/
The Underground’s initial days were dedicated to praying at motels and hotels on the Berlin Turnpike and observing signs of human trafficking. As they learned about and witnessed trafficking, they shared information with a coalition of CT Churches to prayerfully consider how they could assist the frontline workers and the anti-trafficking movement.
The UGNE is a grass-roots, faith-based initiative dedicated to ending sex trafficking and sexual exploitation throughout Connecticut and New England. From its inception, The Underground has believed in the power of community and collaboration with stakeholders. As they learn from and work with state agencies and front line workers, they developed initiatives to support the anti-trafficking movement.
The Underground’s vision is to: “Transform and heal the culture of sexual exploitation in Connecticut and see a God-shift in a way that compels change in Connecticut and beyond”. They exist to bring prevention and awareness of human trafficking to communities; engage the church; support state agencies; and assist victims and survivors as they take steps to liberty and freedom.
UGNE has developed the following programs:
Survivor-Ally Partnership Mentoring Services: This program empowers survivors and allies to work together as a team of mentors and advocates, walking alongside human trafficking victims living in the community in their journey towards healthy independent living. They serve victims of all races, genders, faith-expressions and walks of life with respect and dignity.
The primary work of the mentor team is to come alongside those who’ve been exploited on their journey to freedom, creating a safe, consistent place for them as they take their steps towards healing and wholeness. Their mentors help mentees with both large and small goals, such as finding safe and affordable housing, gaining employment, celebrating milestones, and being a calm presence in an otherwise overwhelming world. Part of their offering includes supporting the growth of skills, helping victims become survivors. These include such areas as budgeting, time management, mental and emotional wellness, connections to local resources, and the like. In addition they work cooperatively with other agencies as part of the coordinated network of services available to meet each victim’s needs. They hope that each individual we serve will come to know their value and worth, and recognize that they are never alone in their journey.
Trafficking Awareness Events: UGNE hosts panel-driven trafficking awareness events led by experts and Survivor-Allied Partners. These events create the space for the community to increase their awareness and understand what is taking place in the trafficking world present day, as well as practical responses they can take.
Safe House and Independent Housing Support: UGNE helps survivors self advocate and mediate their path to safe housing.
Career Workshops: UGNE conducts career workshops for both survivors of trafficking as well as youth who are at-risk of being trafficked. Finding a stable job that leads to a fulfilling career can be an overwhelming and difficult challenge to overcome, especially for those who do not have a community to provide guidance and career advice. They help provide job search resources, as well as necessary life skills like resume writing, interview preparation, and practical methods to maintain the motivation through the job-search journey.
Back-to-School Backpacks: In order for survivors of trafficking and those at risk to start their school year prepared and on a positive note. She told us about one of our co-founders and a survivor of sex trafficking, Theresa Leonard, and how it felt when she had to go to school without the necessary supplies that the rest of her peers had. She remembers it made her feel unworthy and reinforced her vulnerability. These backpacks are dear to The Underground’s heart.
Enrichment Opportunities: The Underground has funded scholarships for minors who were survivors of sex trafficking. Their scholarships allowed, for example, a youth to take therapeutic pottery classes and another allowed a youth to participate in animal assisted therapy with horses.
Emergency Backpacks for Homeless Youth: Unaccompanied homeless youth and young adults make up an often hidden population who are especially vulnerable to becoming trafficked and/or exploited. According to the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, in 2020 there were more than 2,900 homeless youths in Connecticut**. These backpacks, filled with blankets, socks, toiletries, ponchos, notebooks, wallets, and other necessary items, enable individuals to be prepared. In addition, each backpack includes a resource card with important information including the Anti-Trafficking Hotline.
Care Kits: UGNE has been able to create care kits for survivors of sexual assault. To date, over 100 kits were distributed by the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence as well as adults at Coram Deo.
In addition, the Underground provides:
- Temporary Financial Assistance toward furthering education and independent living
- Fundraising
- Handmade Encouragement Cards for youth at risk of exploitation created by volunteers
- Community Outreach Activities
- Hotline Poster Business Distribution and Trafficking-Prevention Programs
- End Demand Engagement/EPIK Project Involvement
- Partnership with Regional Anti-Trafficking Service Programs
- Awareness Events
UGNE needs financial and volunteer support. They offer extensive training to prepare the volunteers. Please contact them, if you are interested in helping.
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