A Safe Haven Takes Flight: United Abolitionists Launches First-Ever Airport Soft Room at Orlando International

December 03, 2025 | BY: TOMAS LARES

A Safe Haven Takes Flight: United Abolitionists Launches First-Ever Airport Soft Room at Orlando International

In a groundbreaking effort to combat human trafficking, United Abolitionists (UA), led by founder and president Tomas Lares, has unveiled the world’s first-ever “soft room” located inside a major airport—right at the heart of Orlando International Airport (MCO).

This soft room offers a secure, trauma-informed environment where victims of trafficking can feel safe, supported, and not criminalized. Unlike the standard process of sending victims to police stations or federal holding, the soft room is person-centered and victim-focused, ensuring dignity and care from the moment of rescue.

“Most victims identified at airports are scared, disoriented, and unsure whom to trust. This room offers a safe space where they can meet trained advocates and begin their journey to healing,” says Lares.

An Unprecedented Collaboration

This initiative wouldn’t have been possible without key partnerships and heartfelt contributions. Special thanks go to:

💙 Greater Orlando Aviation Authority: Orlando International (MCO) and Executive (ORL) Airports, especially Tom Draper, former COO, whose vision helped secure the airport space.

💙 The PRR Group (Pinkston Rose Rustand) – including Boomer Rose, Casey, and Trey R. – who developed Clarity, a custom case management system for secure, real-time data collection and survivor support.

💙 University of South Florida’s @Trafficking in Persons Lab (TIP Lab), represented by Kaylee Pate Carter , which is conducting vital research and analyzing the soft room’s data to inform anti-trafficking efforts statewide.

💙 University of Central Florida Center for the Study of Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery, Dr. Jessica Wickey for being a research partner in partnership with the United Abolitionists Training & Learning Center Human Trafficking 101 for training the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority employees.

💙 Frontier Airlines, providing airline vouchers for victim relocation.

💙 McKibbon Hospitality, Managers Ally Martin & Greg Burnes for offering hotel accommodations for survivors.

💙 Kingdom Strategies Charitable Fund, Dr. Teresa Dailey and the many private donors who made financial contributions.

💙 Interior decorator Sheila & builder Greg Campion, who transformed the space into a welcoming refuge.

💙 Ms. Anne Hawkins from Disney, who helped collect essential items for the room.

💙 Sonya Hightower LaBosco, Past District Governor for Rotary District 6980, the Stop Human Trafficking Committee, and the many Rotary clubs whose steadfast support helped bring this vision to life.

More Than Just a Room

The soft room includes “Hope Backpacks” with hygiene essentials, clothes, and even comfort items for children. Victims are welcomed with compassion and offered medical attention, food (thanks to partnerships with local restaurants), and the opportunity to connect with legal resources or trauma counselors.

This room has already made a difference. One survivor flown in from Baltimore was intercepted safely, medically cleared, and is now healing in a secure home – a powerful testament to what’s possible when community and compassion come together.

Join the Movement

This initiative is a bold step toward abolishing human trafficking in the U.S., and it couldn’t have happened without collective effort. Want to be a part of this mission?

Visit stophumantrafficking.com to learn more about UA, donate, or volunteer.