Our mission is inspired by the Starfish Story, a powerful folktale that embodies our resolve. In this tale, a young boy walking on the beach encounters scores of starfish washed up on the sand, vulnerable and in dire need of help. The boy begins to throw the starfish back into the ocean, one by one, in a desperate attempt to save them. An old man, seeing the enormity of the task, tries to discourage the boy by pointing out that he can’t possibly save them all. Undeterred, the boy defiantly throws another starfish into the water and proclaims, “Well, I made a difference for that one!”

Imagine the impact if the old man had joined the boy—together, they could have saved many more. At Starfish Alliance, we believe that when individuals, communities, and partners come together, we can multiply that impact—helping survivors of human trafficking heal and rebuild their lives, while working to prevent exploitation before it begins.