The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has awarded a one-time grant of more than $10 million to the Office of Attorney General, The Salvation Army and Justice at Work (JaW). 

Attorney General Michelle Henry, along with community partners, is thrilled to announce that the Office of Attorney General has received a multi-million dollar grant from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation to be used for Operation PA STRIKE, an initiative to educate the public on human trafficking and to investigate traffickers.

After receiving bi-partisan legislative support, the Office increased anti-trafficking efforts by starting its Human Trafficking Section in 2024. The new section has increased case load and outreach efforts while successfully charging large scale sex trafficking operations.

The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has awarded a one-time grant of more than $10 million to the Office of Attorney General, The Salvation Army and Justice at Work (JaW). This grant will be used over the next five years by the OAG to expand the scope of the Human Trafficking Section’s work to include a focus on labor trafficking organizations that are harming workers across the Commonwealth.

“I am proud of the progress we have already made to combat traffickers, and am grateful to receive funding that will make a difference for even more survivors of trafficking crimes,” Attorney General Henry said. “Human trafficking is extremely cruel and can impact all races, religions, and demographics. Our office is dedicated to getting justice for every single victim of human trafficking, and this will help us continue to do that.”

The Howard G. Buffett Foundation’s mission is to help bring transformational change to improve standard of living and quality of life, particularly for the world’s most impoverished and marginalized populations.

The grant was awarded to the proposed project, “Operation PA STRIKE,” which involves a statewide, multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to combating human trafficking. The project includes hiring additional personnel for the office’s human trafficking section.

The grant also designates funds to be allocated to partnering organizations, New Day and LIGHT, through The Salvation Army and Justice at Work, to increase outreach to vulnerable communities and provide wraparound support to survivors.

The launch of the Human Trafficking Section has resulted in an increase of active trafficking investigations, an indicator of the scope of the trafficking scourge in Pennsylvania and nationwide. The Office of Attorney General is committed to pursuing dangerous trafficking organizations, both sexual servitude and labor servitude and exploitation. and are grateful for the legislative and community support we have received.

About Justice at Work (JaW)

Justice at Work has decades of experience doing outreach in vulnerable communities and regularly engages with potential labor trafficking victims/survivors to provide comprehensive know-your-rights information. JaW also has extensive experience supporting survivors in civil legal cases.

About The Salvation Army/New Day/LIGHT

The Salvation Army is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families and whole communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives. The Salvation Army began in London, England in 1865. Today, it provides critical services in 134 countries worldwide including in every local ZIP code throughout the state of Pennsylvania and Delaware. The Army has held a record of accomplishment stemming from its holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual – physically, emotionally, economically and spiritually. Programs and services historically include: shelter, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, and drug rehabilitation. To find your local Salvation Army visit, easternusa.salvationarmy.org.