It’s the last episode of Exit Wound! And what better way to close out the season than to reflect on our then and our now? Melanie and survivor leaders Gabrielle Prieto, Shamere McKenzie, and Sunny Palmer sit down to reflect on their younger selves in “the life” - what they wish they had known about themselves and about the world. This emotional episode also celebrates how far each woman has come in her own journey as survivors and as leaders. This is the end of Exit Wound, but not the end of the story.

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Community outreach, grassroots organizing, starting your own nonprofit, legislative advocacy - these are all sectors where many survivors thrive after their traumatic experiences. But activism involves more than just being able to relate to a problem- it takes practice, research, dedication, and thick skin. In the penultimate episode of Exit Wound, Melanie and legendary feminist activist Ninotchka Rosca discuss the risks and rewards of being an activist, at any age or stage of life.

One of the things all sex trade survivors have in common is the need for exit services and aftercare. It’s also one of the things lacking in the great big city of New York. All survivors all need the same foundational trio - housing, money, and medical care. Melanie, survivor leader Nicole Potes Alvarado, and advocate Jayne Bigelsen dive deep into the various programs and organizations in the Big Apple and discuss what’s available - and what’s not - for sex trade survivors.

The resources mentioned in the episode:

The EMPOWER Center - https://bit.ly/3WRjPO6

GEMS - https://www.gems-girls.org/

Department of Youth and Community Development - https://bit.ly/3wAmqBt

The Door - https://www.door.org/

Covenant House - https://www.covenanthouse.org/

Safe Horizons https://www.safehorizon.org/streetwork/

Restore - https://restorenyc.org/

Mentari - https://www.mentariusa.org/

Sanctuary for Families - https://sanctuaryforfamilies.org/

Family Justice Centers - https://bit.ly/3QTQC13