Global Communities Awarded $50,000 Grant to Expand Trafficking Prevention Program and Protect Vulnerable Youth in San Diego

San Diego, CA — Global Communities is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Community Grant Program to expand Project ROOTS—an innovative and comprehensive prevention education initiative that addresses the root causes of gender-based violence, exploitation, and trafficking among vulnerable youth in San Diego.

Through this award, Global Communities will deliver and expand Project ROOTS programming across three key sites: San Diego High School, Rise Up Leadership Academy (RULA) at the City Heights Recreation Center and the Youth Transition Campus, a local replacement of the former Juvenile Detention Facility aimed at providing a more rehabilitative and therapeutic environment for young people in custody. The program will also grow its community-based outreach through partners including SAY San Diego, the BIPOC Support Foundation, and San Diego Public Libraries.

“At a time when youth in our community are facing mounting risks — from online exploitation and gang involvement to gender-based harassment and domestic violence — Project ROOTS is helping to build protective factors that last a lifetime,” said Marissa Cardwell, Project Roots Program Manager and Technical Advisor for Positive Youth Development at Global Communities. “This grant allows us to deepen our reach, invest in community education and training, and equip more youth with the tools they need to thrive.”

Project ROOTS serves youth ages 8 to 18 to cultivate safe spaces, through evidence-informed group mentorship sessions that build resilience, promote mental health and empower youth to navigate risks safely and confidently. Rooted in social-emotional learning, the curriculum addresses topics such as self-esteem, healthy relationships, online safety, financial literacy, leadership skills and trauma-informed coping strategies.

Over the next 12 months, the program will directly serve 100 youth across three core implementation sites and reach an additional 50 youth through community partner organizations. Each youth cohort will receive 10 to 20 hours of mentorship-based support, with sessions tailored to their unique developmental needs. Through the support of this grant, Project ROOTS will also expand delivery of public trainings on topics like Human Trafficking 101, trauma-informed strategies, and positive youth development to educators, local organizations serving youth, parents and communities.

San Diego is consistently ranked as a high-intensity area for child sex trafficking. Project ROOTS was developed in direct response to these challenges through a partnership with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, youth advisors, mental health professionals, and community stakeholders. It remains a locally grounded, collaborative approach to youth empowerment and exploitation prevention.

“Prevention is one of the most powerful tools we have in protecting our youth from exploitation and violence,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Programs like Project ROOTS give young people the knowledge, mentorship and community support they need to make positive choices and avoid dangerous pathways. We are proud to support Global Communities in expanding this critical, life-changing work.”

With this new funding, Global Communities will continue to train community partners and facilitators in the Project ROOTS curriculum, expanding its footprint in schools, libraries, and youth-serving organizations citywide. Whether through a summer leadership workshop for elementary students or a reentry support session for justice-involved youth, the goal is the same: help young people recognize their worth, make informed decisions and build a future free from violence and exploitation.

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About Global Communities

Global Communities connects local ingenuity and global insights to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We achieve this mission in collaboration with a wide range of public and private sector partners, driven by the belief that no one should go hungry, face crisis alone or be denied the chance to build a better life. Since 1952, we have delivered high-impact programs across more than 50 countries.

In San Diego, Global Communities supports families and youth through initiatives like Healthy Start, which promotes maternal and child health, and Project ROOTS, which empowers young people through mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement. These local programs reflect the organization’s global commitment to equity, resilience and opportunity. Explore our work in San Diego by visiting our website.

If you would like to support Project ROOTS and its efforts to empower vulnerable youth in San Diego, donate today.