Soteria Innovative Solutions

“The 990 draft is sent to the board members to review. Once all questions have been answered, approval given, and changes made, the 990 is e-filed. The board will receive a copy of the accepted return.”

“In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of any financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all relevant facts to the organization's directors, and members of committees that have the authority to consider the proposed transaction or arrangement on behalf of the board. After disclosure of the relevant facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, that person shall recuse him or herself while the possible conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members has/have full authority to determine if a conflict of interest exists. If a governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it will inform the member and give that member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.”

“The board reviews the executive director's salary through comparison with similar non-profits and industry average, and approves it.”

“Managing documents are made available upon request.”

“Form 990 part ix, statement of expenses - additional information. The organization uses volunteers to handle many of their program responsibilities such as manning phone banks, working as hotline advocate volunteers, serving on exit teams, and acting as new life volunteers. If they had to pay for the 13,575 hours of services the volunteers provide, it would have cost the organization approximately 388,000; this is based on the rate reported by independent sector. Without the benefits of these volunteers, the percentage of program costs compared to the overall costs would be much higher. The organization is able to use the cash saved to pay for administrative costs, other program costs, and even some fundraising costs. However, it is important to note, that the true amount the organization allocates to its programs is much higher than is represented on the statement of functional expenses. During 2020, rescue america (ra) was affected by covid-19 pandemic and the related restrictions. Ra's response was to make great strides in developing effective virtual options for both therapy for victims and training of volunteers. The expectation is that these options will enable more funds to be available for their program expenses.”

“Rescue america (ra) has 260 volunteers who assist in all phases of its' programs. Outreach hub volunteers, hotline advocates, exit teams, and exit companions gave over 13,500 hours of volunteer service in 2021 for the express purpose of connecting clients with the resources they need to be free from the bonds of sexual slavery. Due to these incredible, dedicated, volunteers, ra's donor dollar becomes more efficient by 34% or every dollar donated is increased by 0.34. Ra's outreach hub volunteers are women and men who call sex ads online and offer a message of hope and a way out through our 24/7 local hotline. These interpersonal exchanges have proven to be one of the most educational, profound, and impactful services, both for the volunteer and the victims they are calling. Hotline advocates respond to ra's 24/7 hotline and are the voice of peace that answers when victims stir up the courage to make the call and exit the life. These hotline calls are conveniently forwarded to the volunteer's cell phone so that victims have immediate response and rescue available to them at any time, day or night. Exit teams are the cavalry, and first "faces" of rescue america that a survivor encounters after calling the hotline. Exit team members work, with a member of the opposite sex, to provide prompt, secure pickup and transportation to an assessment center or transitional safe home shelter coordinated and directed by a rescue america exit strategist. Exit companions are the eyes, ears, and heart of rescue america when a survivor's exit is prolonged because they need to stay in a hotel for a few nights, complete a sane exam, or are waiting for a bus or plane. They show love and care to the survivor, making sure basic needs are being met, while also collecting important information about how the survivor is doing. Ra's board is a dedicated group of volunteers who provide leadership and fiscal oversight to all of ra's operations.”

“As an example, the ptsd checklist (pcl-5) is a self-screening tool that helps with the diagnosis of ptsd. On average, graduates from the raea program demonstrated a 61% reduction in level of ptsd symptoms, as measured by the pcl-5. Reductions in pcl-5 scores of 9% are considered clinically meaningful improvement. Anxiety is measured using the beck anxiety index (bai). On average, raea program graduates demonstrated a 55% reduction in level of anxiety symptoms, as measured by the bai. Reductions in bai scores of 20% are considered clinically meaningful improvement. Another such measure is the beck depression inventory (bdi). On average, raea program graduates demonstrated a 64% reduction in level of depression symptoms, as measured by the bdi. Reductions in bdi scores of 17.5% are considered clinically meaningful improvement. Along with these tangible results, the words of one of our recent clients describe the impact of our program the best: "thank you for giving this once broken little soul, living a life full of sin and addiction, a chance to learn how to love herself and believe that she was worthy of a chance to be loved. I am more than my mistakes, my sexuality, and the life that was out of my control." in the middle of 2021, the rescue america executive team realized the raea blueprint of care need to handed over and given to partner homes for implementation to serve trafficking victims. In july 2021, rescue america moved away from being the administrator of the raea program to empowering parter homes on the frontline to administer this program. As an example of the acceptance of the raea program is that the first partner home administering the emergency care program is in montana.”