Transitions Global was founded as Transitions Cambodia, Inc. by James and Athena Pond in August of 2007. James and Athena have worked with survivors of sex trafficking since 2005 when they co-established the Agape Restoration Center (ARC), a high-security, long-term aftercare facility in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for Cambodian and Vietnamese victims of sex trafficking between the ages of 8-18.

After ARC was established, it became clear there was a critical need for more progressive services for older victims who needed to acquire adult, independent living skills, and viable, modern job skills to assist them in leading healthy and productive lives outside of these centers.

In October 2006, The Pond’s opened the Transitional Living Center (TLC) in Phnom Penh. Clients there range in age from 13-19 years old and come from other aftercare shelters, law enforcement, and direct referrals from human rights organizations.

We’ve developed a high-quality, results-driven shelter care model that responds to the primary issues facing minor victims of sex trafficking (MVST).  Our focus on rehabilitation and reintegration offers girls opportunities to heal from the past and acquire life, social and business skills that prepare them to function as healthy, independent adults. Our model proved to be so successful in its pilot phase in 2006 that organizations are asking Transitions Global to replicate this program in other countries.

After living in Cambodia for two years, the Pond’s returned to the United States in 2007 to establish Transitions Global as its own 501(c)3 non-profit public charity. In 2008, Transitions Global became aware of the need for aftercare services for American girls that have been sexually trafficked in the United States. As a result, Transitions Global began its Domestic Trafficking Initiative. 

While continuing their work in Cambodia, Transitions Global has been instrumental in helping organizations in Greece and Indonesia in developing effective aftercare programs. In 2009, Transitions Global joined Crossroads in Cincinnati, Ohio to evaluate the state of aftercare in Mumbai, India. As a result, Transitions Global is in the process of establishing four new shelters in Mumbai over the next three years. These shelters will serve the needs of Indian, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi girls that have been sexually trafficked.

For more information on the beginnings of Transitions Global, download “The Moment that Brought Us Here”(pdf)