Human trafficking.
Modern-day slaves.
Child trafficking.
These terms used to be so unbelievable to me. Something I couldn't ever think happened in my state, let alone my city. "This is a horrible injustice, but does it really happen here where I live? Could it happen to people I know and love?" The answer is undeniable "YES!" It happens daily in our backyard. Our children are being lured into the realm of human trafficking at a staggering number. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 1 in 6 children under the age of 18 are at risk of being exploited every year in the United States. The state of Florida ranks 3rd for the number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. These facts alone are alarming and heartbreaking.
After learning more about human trafficking, I decided I could no longer just sit on the sidelines. I could not hear one more story of another child sold by a family member or recruited by another "friend." I had to do something to STOP this horrific crime. That's when I found Paving the Way Foundation. This organization's mission is to END the cycle of human trafficking by educating, empowering, and preventing the cycle from continuing.
For the past year, I have had the privilege to serve as a Mission Ambassador and take part in educating our community. I have personally gone to schools, community events, and college campuses sharing signs to look for and actions to take. Paving the Way Foundation has educated thousands of students in the Central Florida area. I have seen the impact the training program makes on middle and high school students. Our children need to hear this conversation. It might be difficult to hear, but it is valuable.
This is why I have set a personal goal to raise $500 to continue taking this message to our communities. If you would like more information, please feel free to reach out to me. Also if you would like to arrange a training in your area, I would love to hear from you as well!
Thank you for partnering with us to protect our children.
-Melissa
