Dear John,

Today, we are writing to share important news with you directly: After nearly two decades of operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the next cooperative agreement to another provider. 

We want to be transparent that we are disappointed by this outcome. But we are also immensely proud of what Polaris has achieved at the operator of the Hotline — and the legacy you helped make possible.

Since 2007, Polaris has responded to more than 460,000 calls, texts, and chats, uncovered more than 112,000 trafficking cases, and helped identify more than 218,000 victims and survivors. 

This impact was made possible by the extraordinary dedication of more than 60 Hotline staff — some of whom are survivors themselves — who brought compassion, expertise, and resilience to their work every day. Together, we built a trusted national lifeline that will continue to serve survivors long after the transition. That impact will continue to ripple forward as the Hotline enters its next chapter. 

At this moment, HHS has not shared details about the transition process. We can say with confidence that Polaris will work to support continuity of care and will do everything possible to ensure survivors remain at the center of this work — one important pillar in the broader fight against human trafficking. 

Our mission has never been limited to answering the phone — it’s about ending human trafficking in all its forms. The knowledge, systems, and partnerships forged through the Hotline have strengthened Polaris’s ability to lead on the frontlines of this fight. With your partnership, we’ll leverage that wisdom to strengthen the national response to human trafficking.

Your support makes all of this possible. The next chapter of this movement will require resilience, vision, and investment — and your continued support will be critical. Together, we can build the next chapter in the fight to end trafficking.