iEmpathize is an international human rights nonprofit founded in 2007. Our mission is to evoke empathy and empower people to eradicate exploitation through prevention training. iEmpathize produces a library of multimedia, survivor-led educational content engaging youth and adults working in industries intersecting where exploitation happens. Our work has garnered international attention from the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the United Nations, BBC, CNN, international film festivals, and more. To date, our Intersect Response Platform has trained over 1.3 million people.
Our organization began through the passion and journey of our founder, Brad Riley, and a small group of his close, socially minded, creative-activist friends. Brad’s experience with people and communities struggling with vulnerability began in the early 1990s, working with urban youth. In the mid-2000s, he partnered with several anti-trafficking projects in Southeast Asia to launch prevention programs and aftercare efforts. After visiting those projects, learning of the atrocities of human trafficking, and encountering child survivors of sexual exploitation, Brad returned to the United States, committed to rallying others to join him in efforts to eradicate child exploitation at home and internationally.
We came from different backgrounds with varied skill sets but each of us devoted our ideas, expertise, influence, time, services, artistry, and money to establish iEmpathize, understanding that because exploitation is all around us, we all can and should do something to engage it. We prioritize prevention; our programs empower youth and adults with empathy and action. We have learned that empathy-driven responses at local levels are most effective. While our projects have spanned the globe, our commitment to community-based partnership and empowerment continues to drive our work.
Empathy = Ending It
Our work has garnered international attention from the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, the United Nations, BBC, CNN, international film festivals, and more.
With a culture of collaboration and empathy as our foundation, we move our mission forward with a host of creative partners, issue-focused experts, survivor-leaders, passionate team members and volunteers, and strategic partnerships. We invite you to join us. Be a part of the movement of empathy to transform the lives of the most vulnerable and victimized.
Though our mailing address is in Boulder, CO, we are a nationwide team of remote leaders, staff, and volunteers. We operate using a hub model, with Strategic Council Partners (SPCs) in cities including Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando. Additionally, we’ve done significant work with volunteers hoping to form hubs in New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas. These volunteers come from nonprofits combatting issues proved to intersect with exploitation, like homelessness and poverty; are professionals representing intersecting sectors, like first responders, social workers, and educators; and are concerned citizens eager to offer their unique skillsets nationally while also protecting the vulnerable in their local communities. The national synergy of these local hubs provides our organization with an incredible advantage, as we benefit from the data, knowledge, resources, and strategies of communities, industries, civic leaders, agencies, nonprofits, and individuals committed to eradicating exploitation across the nation.
“The Empower Youth Program teaches students life skills necessary to take on some of life’s most difficult challenges. The presentations are inspirational and filled with useful advice. The videos share stories of real people with real life experiences that students can connect with. My students have bonded more and supported each other more and gained more trust for each other. Thank you for taking the time to help my students grow emotionally!”
