The Thrive Tribe is a powerful group coaching and personal development programme for human trafficking survivors that’s being led, hosted, and facilitated by me, Emma Thorne Lees. This pilot program is in partnership with Liluye (a 501c3/charity in the US), and my business, previously Inner Coaching You, now Emma Thorne Lees as a pro bono project.
The Thrive Tribe was launched in November 2023 for 10 coachees to receive maximum group and one on one support. This first cohort of survivors are based across the globe in Nigeria, Cameroon, US and Canada and are ready to learn, stretch, grow, and get support outside of their comfort zones. The program includes group coaching/training, one on one mentorship with internationally recognised professionals (all of whom are volunteers) and community support – all done online to ensure maximum accessibility and participation.
The pilot program drew to a close in May 2024 and has now had a full independent evaluation of its´ impact.
These are some highlights:
• All coachees reported learning new tools and techniques that increased their resilience and improved their coping mechanisms.
• 78% noted improvements in their confidence in pursuing employment or educational opportunities.
• 80% of participants indicated that they had built connections and learned best practices that increased their ability to develop their own projects.
We are currently exploring funding opportunities for any future cohorts, particularly to ultimately ensure the programme is survivor-led.
So far, we have the following testimonials from some of the coachees:
Rose, Cameroon:
“The work we have been doing on our saboteurs (or inner critic) and developing our self-awareness has taken me to a new level in my life. I am experiencing some peace within”.
Jefiter, Nigeria:
“I now see I have the power of choice and I choose not to be a victim. Who is in charge? I can see how change is possible. I have now seen my limiting beliefs first hand and have dropped some of them. I realise that as long as I am willing to learn and grow, I can make things possible. I also can accept myself and focus on what is in my control¨.
Brenna, Canada:
“The Thrive Tribe has helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life. And they are like my second family.”
Chylian, Nigeria:
“I am a lot more consistent in my self-care. I have become an observer in my life and have made choices around what I need, instead of making excuses or being in environments that were not supporting me. I know now that I have what it takes”.
Jefiter, Nigeria:
I now see I have the power of choice and I choose not to be a victim. I can see how change is possible. I have now seen my limiting beliefs first-hand and have dropped some of them. I realize that as long as I am willing to learn and grow, I can make things possible. I also can accept myself and focus on what is in my control. The key thing [is] self-compassion; the gift of empathy. I realized since I can be kinder to myself, [and] it’s easier now to be kinder to others. I’ve realized I am more calm in the face of situations, and being more calm gives me that opportunity to think clearly. Irrespective of what I do or do not do [now], I am worthy. I am worthy of love. I’m worthy of respect, and I can give more of that to others because I am learning to give that to myself.
[Regarding mentoring] It was top-notch. My mentor and I suited each other. I used to frown at mentoring because I thought it was hierarchical, but my mentor was open, nice, and eager to help. She was firm when needed, which made a big difference for me. Her statement about being authentic was a defining moment that helped me take a turn.
The community [was] always great. We honestly had a safe space.
A full press release is available here.
EmmaThorne Lees, Director/Coach and Director of Coaching at Liluye (right)
The overaching program goals include the creation of a safe, supportive, respectful, and adaptive community that empowers the whole of our Thrive Tribe community. Giving each coachee the opportunity to move forward with their lives, reduce the risk of retrafficking and reach their full potential according to who they are.
The Thrive Tribe in more detail:
An Online Personal Development/Coaching Empowerment Programme
A supportive group program that creates a safe space for each coachee to find the best options suited to them in their journey and explore without barriers or limitations as a community and with individual support.
- To create a safe and respectful space, or growth container, for coachees to be brilliant and imperfect as they learn and grow together.
- To review their lives right now, get to know themselves and their deepest wishes, look forward, dream big to maximize their potential in a supportive and safe environment.
- To self acknowledge through vision, values, strengths, and growth opportunities.
- To identify their self limiting beliefs and inner barriers.
- To break through their inner barriers and saboteurs into a new, empowered story and way of life.
- To clarify their life’s vision and create a new, fulfilling plan.
- To be on a growth path, moving towards their vision, and to identify resources and support they need in this journey
- A strong and supportive community to learn and grow together during the program and beyond.
- A flexible and adaptive space for all to learn and grow with each session, building on previous sessions and allowing the program to evolve naturally wherever possible.
- At the end of the program all coachees will have a 1-3 year individualised plan that they are working towards to include support and resources required that they can move towards.
Joanne Ward is one of the many volunteers involved in the program as our evaluator:
“It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to use my skills in evaluation and social value measurement to help The Thrive Tribe. I look forward to working with a team of many talents (and big hearts) to measure and value what matters to those receiving coaching through the programme.”
Joanne Ward, Impact Consultant – https://collectivechange.co.uk/. Doncaster, UK.
It is hoped that for future cohorts to benefit from this program we will be able to seek grant funding, sponsorship or other ways to support the work and ultimately become fully survivor-led.
For more information about the program, whether you would like to financially support us, volunteer or be a future coachee or mentor, please email Emma at hellothethrivetribe@gmail.com or visit/contact Liluye for more information.
Thank you for your interest and support for this innovative program!