Unlikely Heroes

Unlikely Heroes' mission is to rescue, restore and rehabilitate child victims of sex slavery. This is accomplished by: 1) Planning and executing the rescues of children working as sex slaves; 2) Operating "restoration homes" —therapeutic residential facilities where children can live, learn, and heal together after being rescued from sex slavery, and 3) coordinating prevention programs through community education.^[3]

Unlikely Heroes positions rescue teams in areas where children are at high risk for sex slavery. Rescues have been conducted in the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, & the United States. As of March 2019, over 400 children have been rescued by Unlikely Heroes.^[3]

Unlikely heroes operates group homes in the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, and United States. These homes provide restorative care, trauma therapy, and provide educational opportunities to help get these girls on the road to recovery, and point them toward a new life filled with promise and hope.^[2] In addition to room, board, and education, residents of restoration homes have access to medical care, life skills and job training.^[4] The goal of these homes is to pioneer moves forward in education so that girls never have to become victims again. Within their focus to rescue, restore, and educate, their experience is causing them to be acknowledged as global experts in restorative care for child victims of sex slavery.^[4]

Unlikely Heroes also coordinates human trafficking awareness and prevention campaigns. As of 2018, they had educated over 80,000 people since the nonprofit was founded.^[4]

Unlikely Heroes funds its operations through private donations and proceeds from fundraisers held throughout the year. According to Greve, the average cost to care for a rescued child is $5,000 per year. Each restoration home can house approximately twelve children and costs roughly $50,000 a year to run.^{[citation needed]}

Unlikely Heroes was built to end human trafficking using a sustainable business model. Their growth strategy balances financial and social objectives & the message has resonated heavily with young Hollywood – a group that is ready & eager to use their social reach for good despite what you may have read in the news recently. I attended the 2013 ‘Recognizing Heroes Awards Dinner & Gala’ held at The W in Hollywood which brought together hundreds of influential supporters, musical performances, & media attention from around the globe. The young & stylish crowd enjoyed the social aspect of the event, but also demonstrated their commitment to the Unlikely Heroes cause by donating over $150,000 that night. Emerging philanthropists, especially millennials, are growing accustomed to having it all in one – sustainable & cause-centric organizations, entertaining social events, & creating real immediate impact.

Greve elucidated the vision: "Whether we are rescuing a girl out of a brothel, or recognizing the accomplishments of a celebrity advocate at one of our red carpet events, we do our best to protect the vulnerable and highlight the valuable." Celebrities who have attended Unlikely Hero events include Selena Gomez, Ian Somerhalder, Liana Liberato, Azie Tesfai, Francia Raisa. Jesse McCartney,^[5] Babyface, Nikki Reed, Kellan Lutz & Macy Gray.^[4]

Unlikely Heroes holds two annual fundraisers: the Recognizing Heroes Awards Dinner and Gala^[6] and the Love is Heroic Spring Benefit. The 4th annual Recognizing Heroes Awards Dinner and Gala was hosted by Nikki Reed in Dallas on November 12, 2016. The event raised over $500,000 in a single evening.^[6]