Good Greek Joins Battle to Fight Human Trafficking

In a landmark move that sets a new precedent nationwide, Good Greek Moving & Storage is pleased to announce an unprecedented partnership with Place of Hope to tackle human trafficking in Florida. This groundbreaking initiative is believed to be the first collaboration of its kind between a moving company and a nonprofit in the United States. The initiative will empower Good Greek’s 600+ employees with specialized training to identify and report trafficking, leveraging the company's unique access to homes and communities.

Florida ranks third in the nation for reported human trafficking cases, with Palm Beach County ranking third within the state. This emphasized the critical need for innovative solutions and community involvement in tackling this issue.

Spero Georgedakis, Founder and CEO of Good Greek Moving & Storage, emphasized his deep commitment to the cause: "As a father and a former police officer, the fight against human trafficking resonates deeply with me. Our community may appear affluent, but trafficking happens here every day.”

Unlike most anti-trafficking efforts that focus on public spaces, Good Greek's initiative leverages the unique access that moving crews have to families and their homes. "Good Greek Moving is in and out of people's homes, traveling throughout the country,” said Georgedakis, "We're at truck stops and rest areas, and quite often, these are areas where victims can be trafficked. We need to be vigilant and able to identify these situations where we can call 911 or the authorities."

The partnership includes specialized training provided by Place of Hope, a leading nonprofit dedicated to anti-human trafficking efforts. This training focuses on equipping Good Greek’s staff to identify trafficking signs and take appropriate action.

Jamie Bond Ciancio, Director of Advancement and a human trafficking expert from Place of Hope, emphasized the importance of early intervention recalling the story of a survivor trafficked from age 11 to 26. ""If somebody would have picked up the phone and called a teacher, a guidance counselor, somebody that was in close proximity had a relationship and knew that something just wasn't right, that girl could have been saved years and years and years of trauma and abuse.

Place of Hope not only trains professionals but also provides comprehensive care to survivors, offering a safe haven and resources to rebuild their lives. "When you look at the branding these captors are tattooing on the victims’ bodies - imagine having that stroll on your body for the rest of your life," Ciancio shared, highlighting the lasting trauma inflicted on victims. "Yes, you're no longer in harm's way, but the trauma that you deal with for the rest of your life."

To increase public awareness, Good Greek is putting up billboards promoting the partnership with Place of Hope across Florida and is committed to wrapping one of its trucks with messaging dedicated to the fight against human trafficking. This mobile billboard aims to spread awareness wherever it travels.

This program is further bolstered by the expertise of Good Greek’s program that recruits former and retiring law enforcement officers, such as Chief of Staff Anthony Johnson and Director of Safety and Compliance Doug Clark who stressed the importance of careful observation and reporting

"They see something that's not right...maybe just to report it to the local authorities and let them get involved, and maybe that way we can maybe save a life."

Newly trained mover, Aneudy Varga who is also a father expressed his commitment to the cause: "If I see anything going on with a female, with a kid, or with somebody that they don't look right, [I will] make an extra step and call 911 and try to help that person out."

Georgedakis also acknowledged the positive response within the company, stating, "The general feedback has been great... Everybody is committed to utilizing this knowledge, passing it on, and supporting this important initiative for all of us."

This pioneering partnership represents a new frontier in the fight against human trafficking, utilizing the moving industry's unique reach to protect vulnerable individuals and families.

For more information on recognizing the signs of human trafficking or to get involved, please visit placeofhope.com. You can report suspected Trafficking by calling the Florida Hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to BEFREE (233733)