Hostage US Development Director

Development Director (Remote, Full Time) Location: Fully remote, ability to travel for donor meetings and Hostage US events in DC, New York City, and other US cities. Description: Hostage US received a two-year grant to fund the hire of a Development Director who will manage the Hostage US fundraising and development. Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director, … Read More

Hostage US 2023 Annual Reception Sponsorship

Spring, 2023 • Washington, DC View Sponsorship Opportunities Hostage US responds to over 80 inquiries a year from families seeking support as their loved one is being held captive abroad. When captives return home after months or years of captivity, we help them to rebuild their lives. Hostage US provides emotional support and pro bono professional legal assistance, financial advice, … Read More

Hostage US 2022 Annual Report

Please take some time to read about our accomplishments over the past year in our 2022 Annual Report. Thank you for your commitment to our critical mission. View the Annual Report here. Download the Annual Report here.

Hostage US Article: Navigating the Phases of a Long-Running Case

Navigating the Phases of a Long-Running Case Hostage US Article By Winnie Lee, August, 2022 It can be hard to imagine learning the news that your loved one has been wrongfully detained or kidnapped in another country, far from home. For families navigating long-running cases, months turn to years and while new challenges and issues arise, Hostage US works to … Read More

Panel Discussion: What Security Managers Need to Know When an Employee is Taken Hostage

ASIS International What Security Managers Need to Know When an Employee is Taken Hostage Despite a robust travel risk mitigation program, an employee is taken hostage. What’s next? Many organizations have plans to get a hostage home. But most have not thought through how they will support that employee’s family during the crisis or what will happen once the hostage is released. Why does it matter to … Read More

2020 Annual Report

View the interactive Hostage US 2020 Annual Report by clicking the thumbnail below. On mobile devices, please view a PDF of the report here 2020 Annual Report.

Hostage US announces new Board and Advisory Council Members

Hostage US announces new Board and Advisory Council Members · Former hostage elected to Board of Directors · Former special assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism joins Advisory Council · Former presidential envoy for Hostage Affairs joins Advisory Council Washington, D.C., September 19, 2018 – Hostage US today announced its newest Board and Advisory Council members. Journalist … Read More

Mourning the loss of Canadian Warrior Woman Bonice Thomas

On Monday evening 30 April, Bonice Hall Thomas moved on from her mortal body. She was supported by her loving family and friends and the caring staff and volunteers at Shornecliffe and Sunshine Coast Hospice, Sechelt, BC.   Bonice was a true maverick and lived life based on her convictions, refuting many of the pressures of our dominant society. We … Read More

New Kidnapping Trends on the Global Stage

New Kidnapping Trends on the Global Stage    The following summary was sourced from Frank Grimm, Director of Crisis Response Services for Constellis, an international security company, at the June 2017 Hostage US Annual Washington, DC Seminar.  The material is shared on an informational basis only and does not infer any formal relationship nor verification with the provider. Statistics of … Read More

WSJ: If You’re Arrested Abroad, the U.S. May Not Bail You Out

If You’re Arrested Abroad, the U.S. May Not Bail You Out The State Department needs to do a better job protecting travelers—and warning of the danger. By  Jared Genser July 23, 2017 I represent two Americans, Siamak Namazi and his father, Baquer, being held in deplorable conditions in Iran’s Evin Prison. Last October they were sentenced to 10 years on … Read More

What Doesn’t Kill Us: A guide to overcoming adversity and moving forward

Stephen Joseph gives the reader six steps to help manage our emotions and navigate adversity. These steps can help individuals find new meaning and purpose in their lives. In What Doesn’t Kill Us, Joseph challenges  people to look at the positive in difficult situations. To purchase this book, click on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/What-Doesnt-Kill-overcoming-adversity/dp/0749952407

Trauma: From Lockerbie to 7/7: How Trauma Affects Our Minds and How We Fight Back

This book by Gordon Turnbull discusses the history and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Turnbull tells stories of some of the people he has treated over the years and how he was able to help them rebuild their lives. Purchase this interesting book by clicking on the link below: https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Lockerbie-Affects-Minds-Fight/dp/0552158399

Post traumatic Stress: The Facts

  In this book Post-traumatic Stress: The Facts, authors Stephen Regel and Steven Joseph inform the audience of what PTSD is and other problems survivors might experience. The book touches on the types of support that should be provided in the early stages for individuals and their families. Purchase this book by clicking below: https://www.amazon.com/Post-traumatic-Stress-Facts-Stephen-Regel/dp/0199566585 

Grief in Children: A Handbook for Adults by Atle Dyregrov

Atle Dyregrov’s handbook discusses how children may react to the death of a loved one. He talks about how children are a lot more aware of situations then parents think and if parents are not open with them, it could lead to the children being confused. He also lists some possible ways that children could react to this horrible news. Check out … Read More

Coming Home | Royal Navy Guide

The Royal Navy created a booklet that can be used to help individuals returning home “recognize and deal with any pressures and issues that arise on their return from operational duties”. They discuss how individuals might respond once they come back home, the effects of talking about your experiences, how to cope, and ways that families can help survivors. To … Read More

Hostage Retrieval

Gordon Turnbull reviews “the facts and the emotional reactions” related to hostage situations in this article for the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Turnbull discusses the physical and psychological effects of being tortured, solitary and group confinement, and the process of debriefing prisoners-of-war and hostages. Read more of this interesting article below:

Preparing For the Worst- Death with no body

This article, “Bad Grief! When No Body Comes Home” talks about how not having a body to bury can negatively affect the grieving process. The article gives tips on how to deal with having a funeral without the body. Some of their suggestions are to have pictures or videos displayed and to create a memorial table filled with important items … Read More