Faith and Freedom

The Exodus Road unofficially began in Thailand in the fall of 2011, but it became a 501(c)3 in 2012. Matt and Laura Parker were living and working in SE Asia with their three young children. After a year of research and engaging with the counter-trafficking community on the ground, Matt began to see the deficiencies of intervention efforts due to a lack of funding, collaboration, training, and equipment. Over a two-year period, he built relationships with the government and local NGOs that led him to become a deputized informant with local Thai police. Learning from his own investigative work on the ground, he and Laura began The Exodus Road to support local police efforts in finding victims, building case evidence, and facilitating intervention operations. You can watch their gripping genesis story in the short film Ordinary.

No. The Exodus Road is a 501c3 nonprofit, registered with the U.S. government, without religious affiliation. We believe that one of the unique functions we serve in this field is to gather as many people as possible “around the table” for the sake of bringing justice to the enslaved. Our staff and teams around the world represent a variety of religions and cultures, as do the survivors we serve. You can read more about our inclusive philosophy here.

The Exodus Road has a U.S. office in Colorado, USA, and works in Brazil, India, Latin America, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States. We utilize a strategic, organic methodology to determine where and how we expand into new areas and countries. We always work within legal local frameworks, with collaborative relationships, and centering the work of local nationals.

YES! The Exodus Road recognizes that rescue is the first step in a long journey of restoration and healing for survivors of human trafficking.  Here are the main ways we are investing in trauma-informed survivor care services: 

1. We employ local social workers and crisis care workers as an integral part of our Search & Rescue teams in most countries where we work. In the critical hours during or immediately following an operation, these nationals are present to care for survivors and offer immediate and follow-up support. This support can include: facilitating communication with police, giving emotional care, advocating for medical assessment, provision of clothes/supplies, follow-up visits, court testimony, and repatriation support.
2. We are opening Freedom Home in Southeast Asia, a trauma-informed safe house and mentorship program for adult survivors. It will welcome its first clients in late Fall 2021.
3. We work with other NGO partners in key collaborative aftercare programming in the countries where we work.
4. We offer a Survivor Care Fund which meets survivor’s unique needs like emergency services, medical care, education expenses, legal costs, etc.

You can read more about our aftercare work in our Beyond Rescue Program.

The Exodus Road is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation in good standing in the state of Colorado. We are committed to fiscal transparency and accountability, earning a Platinum rating through Guidestar, a perfect score (100 out of 100) on Charity Navigator, and are certified Transparent with Excellence in Giving.

Since 2013, we have voluntarily undergone an annual independent financial audit. Most recently, this was completed by McMillen & Company. Those reports are available online for our donors. You can see our full financial data by going here.