Human Trafficking Task Force

Human Trafficking Task Force Members

Alice Johnson – Human Trafficking Victim Advocate, Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan

Sandra Ramocan – Director of Outreach and Education Services, Alternatives for Girls

Known by many as the voice for those who can no longer find the words, Sandra Ramocan serves the community with conviction and unwavering passion, making an unforgettable imprint in the lives of children and adults in crisis. Prior to joining the Alternatives For Girls leadership team, Ramocan advocated for the most vulnerable families in Detroit impacted by poverty for Matrix Human Services, a 100+ year nonprofit serving more than 25,000 annually. 

What began as a simple desire to help catapulted into a lifelong mission to create change, providing a realistic pathway to success for those in need. Ramocan, began her Matrix journey as the Outreach Manager for Off the Streets (teen shelter) and later served as Program Director for the Matrix Center where she constructed and executed programs that assisted more than 3,000 visitors weekly. She later accepted the role of Director of Professional Development and Training where she was challenged to create and actualize a professional development standard for more than 700 employees; a plan that produced extraordinary results earning her even greater respect from her peers and community leaders. 

Ramocan’s results driven approach, as well as strengths in community and client relations, project management, performance management and strategic and operational management, positioned her as a sought-out candidate by Alternatives For Girls to lead Outreach and Education Services with a specific focus on the national epidemic of Human Trafficking, a multibillion-dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to millions around the world. Today, Ramocan plays a vital role locally and nationally as Alternatives For Girls seek to increase awareness, educate the community and initiate change on a local and federal level. Ramocan serves on several Board of Directors including Inside Out, the Hope Foundation, Singing Sensations and the Boys Hope Girls Hope.

Ramocan holds a B.S. in Human Services and Masters in Education from the University of Phoenix. She also earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Morgan State University. Sandra Ramocan is a pillar in the community and is often requested for speaking engagements and provides expertise for panel discussions on Human Trafficking.

Candice Woods – Crisis Resource Center and Human Trafficking Manager, Alternatives for Girls

For the past seven years, Candice Woods has worked at Alternatives For Girls as a Youth Program Outreach Manager (5 years) and as the Crisis Resource and Human Trafficking Manager (2 years) where she provides crucial support to survivors and at-risk individuals. Her work involves building community partnerships, offering direct intervention services, and leading awareness campaigns to combat human trafficking and related crises.

In addition to her role at AFG, Candice operates a small nonprofit organization dedicated to youth intervention, offering mentorship and life skills programs to empower young people and prevent them from becoming victims of exploitation. Candice is also a devoted Youth Pastor at Living Waters Church located in Warren, MI, where she leads the outreach ministry as the Director of their Community House initiative. Through this program, she develops and implements strategies to meet the needs of underserved families, providing hope, resources, and spiritual guidance to the community.

Candice’s passion for advocacy, youth development, and faith-based service drives her commitment to creating a safer, more inclusive world for all.

Belinda Campbell – Covenant House Michigan

Tyana Henderson – Covenant House Michigan

Emily Johnson – Program Director – Haven Homes of Detroit

Having received a Master's in Social Work from Wayne State University, Emily serves as the Program Director for Haven Homes of Detroit, a transitional living program dedicated to adult female survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. In her capacity as director, Emily oversees staff and daily program operations, while leveraging her extensive background in anti-human trafficking efforts.

Previously, as Program Coordinator for the Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP), Emily was instrumental in equipping and mobilizing volunteers, developing community partnerships, and organizing statewide awareness events and initiatives. Additionally, her experience as a Senior Youth Specialist at Common Ground allowed her to mentor runaway and homeless youth, and her internship with the Salvation Army’s Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative provided her with invaluable case management experience, supporting survivors during FBI-led raids. 

Over the past eight years, Emily's commitment to empowering survivors and enhancing statewide collaborative efforts cements her reputation as an unwavering ally in Michigan’s fight to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Bishop James Williams – Faith Based Program Manager/Special Project Coordinator, Crime Stoppers of Michigan

Jevon Johnson – Commander, DPD’s 5th Precinct

Lady Tee Thompson – Human Trafficking Expert

Lady Tee Thompson, a preeminent advocate for human rights and labor trafficking prevention, ardently empowers women and marginalized communities from Detroit, Michigan. Her extensive portfolio includes championing disability rights, agricultural capacity building, and advancing gender equality. Her impact spans 14 countries, where she has propelled economic growth to benefiting over 1 million people through strategic initiatives. Renowned for fostering cross-sectoral and international collaborations, she has transformed startups from business concepts to $60 million enterprises having received a Women's History Award from President Barack Obama.

Globally, Lady Thompson conducts training sessions to promote financial independence & development for youth, women, and survivors of human trafficking. Her dedication to women’s empowerment through entrepreneurship was notably recognized with her designation as Mentor of the Year by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). As a fervent advocate who is the chairperson of UNA Women for United Nations Association of the USA (UNAUSA) with over 20,000 members, promoting Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In her capacity as a Human Trafficking Fellow under the Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP) via National Human Trafficking Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC), Lady Thompson strives to prevent human trafficking among youth and BIPOCs. Her significant contributions to the United Nations mechanisms include joint and multilateral consultations amongst international treaties on gender equality, racial discrimination, Women Peace & Security (WPS) and Youth Peace and Security (YPS). Additionally, she served as a Fulbright from 2018-2023 and as a Global Advisory Council member for G100 on Leadership and Entrepreneurship Education.

Tracey Cooley – Sparrow Freedom Project

Tracey Cooley humbly took the role officially as executive director at Sparrow Freedom Project in April of 2021.  Using her legal training as a human rights attorney and passion for serving, Tracey is dedicated to helping combat exploitation and human trafficking for all individuals locally, nationally, and globally.

Tracey has more than 27 years of experience advocating for those in need through employment, leadership positions, board positions and volunteering with such organizations as Sparrow Freedom Project, Detroit Bar Association & Foundation, Kevelighan & Kevelighan PC, Hope Against Trafficking, Leadership Oakland, Desert Angels, Junior League of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills Schools and Rochester Community Schools. She is considered a Master Global Champion in Diversity and Inclusion and a graduate of the Institute of Healing Racism.

Tracey earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts, Magna Cum Laude with Honors in Public Affairs and French from Columbia College in South Carolina.

Amy Smith – Avalon Healing

Amy Smith (Dowd) is a licensed MSW and currently, the Director of Healing Services for Avalon Healing Center. Amy has over 20 years’ experience as an advocate for both domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and 10 years working with trafficked and exploited persons. Amy joined Avalon in 2011, when the counseling and advocacy program was in its infancy. Amy’s experience with other programs across the state was invaluable as Avalon set out to build one of the most comprehensive sexual assault programs of it’s kind. Amy, who is a survivor herself, has been awarded by Avalon the “Advocate of the Year'' awards in 2013 and 2019 for her leadership and direct service work in the community.

Amy has been an advising member to several ground breaking projects in the city of Detroit, including the 400 Project (which initially addressed the 11, 341 sexual assault kits found abandoned in a Detroit Crime Lab in 2009), the National Institute of Justice Rape Kit Action Research Project (which developed the first ever national best practices for un-submitted rape kit investigations) and the Wayne County Sexual Assault Kit Task Force. She is a trainer for the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards in the area of non-stranger sexual assault investigations and has presented both locally and nationally on issues related to sexual assault, trauma, and best practices. Amy has been invited by Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State and University of Michigan as a Guest Lecturer on topics related to gender-based violence and the connection between trauma, mental health and chemical dependency. 

Amy Smith is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University where she obtained both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Social Work with concentrations in mental health and chemical dependency. She has been a licensed practitioner in the State of Michigan for 13 years and is a Certified Trauma Practitioner in the area of Clinical Practice.