How does someone “throw away” a kid? When did it become ok to let “The System” raise our children? And why do so many of them fall through the cracks?

I keep hearing people say, “The System is broken.” Yep, sure is. Guess why? Because it’s run by broken people in a broken world. There isn’t a perfect system for raising children who are given up, taken from drug-addicted parents, or removed from abusive homes. There isn’t a perfect system for raising kids in a loving home with two doting parents, a dog and a white picket fence. This world isn’t perfect.

So whose fault is it? Whose responsibility is it to fix “The System”?

It’s yours. And mine.

It’s so easy to be the armchair quarterback, isn’t it? We need more funding, we need more social workers, we need better social workers. Someone should really do something about that. Our government should fix that. Nonprofits should fix that!

No, YOU should fix it. I should fix it.

Guess what? If enough people would step up and stand in the gaps for these kids there wouldn’t BE any cracks to fall through.

Think about all of the people in your children’s lives. Teachers, family friends, relatives, coaches… If something happened to you today I’m guessing your kids would have a safety net of people around them who love them and support them and would walk beside them.

Now take all of those people out of the equation. What if your kids had NO ONE?

For so many kids, that’s exactly how it is. They have no one to turn to.

And why not? Because we’re too busy keeping up with the Kardashians and watching pregnant teenagers on MTV. If you have time for reality television, you have time to mentor a kid. Give up your lunch hour once a week to go eat in a school cafeteria with a kid. When you take your kids to the zoo, take along a kid from the neighborhood that you know is struggling with things at home. Be a Big Brother or Sister. Be an adoptive grandparent. Go read to the kids in a low income school. Be a foster parent. Babysit for someone else who is a foster parent when they need a break. Send a handwritten card with a little gift to a kid in your church who just needs a little sunshine in their day.

It’s not rocket science. They’re kids. Love on them.

We have a system that provides the skeleton for caring for the kids that need it. That skeleton needs muscle to move it forward, a thick skin to protect it, a brain to help it thrive and a heart to feel love. WE have to be those things. And one person doesn’t have to be all of those things, but you can be at least one of them.

A little over two years ago there was a human trafficking case profiled in the Wichita Eagle. The case involved a 13 year old victim. Her story was the catalyst for ICT S.O.S.. Today her story helped to change the laws in our state. Written and verbal testimony given in support of this bill cited her case along with other recent cases and research provided by local and national expert, Dr. Karen Countryman-Roswurm.

The Child Advocacy Center, Wichita Children’s Home, DCF, Attorney General and District Attorney’s offices all provided support for the bill along with others, including ICT S.O.S..

The bill passed the House today with a vote of 120-0 in its favor. Next, it will move on to the Governor for his signature.

This is not the end but a great step in the right direction. There is so much more work to be done but so many exciting things on the horizon. The Child Advocacy Center is looking to expand their services to victims, WSU will launch a new institute to combat this issue through research and education and our community efforts will continue to grow with this year’s conference, Race 4 Freedom 5k and Rock the Market concert.

Thank you for writing letters, calling and emailing your legislators. Thank you for spreading the word and mostly, thank you for caring.

Join us this Tuesday April 9th for our monthly meeting. We’ll have thank you cards to fill out for our Representatives as well as a letter to Governor Brownback urging him to sign this bill into law. We meet at 6pm at Mead’s Corner on the second floor. More info HERE.

Let’s take this victory in and keep on fighting!

It’s hard to believe we’re coming up on our 2nd anniversary! A lot has happened in 2 short years and we have plans for even more.

Join us Sunday March 10th from 2-5pm at Mead’s Corner to celebrate! We’ll have cake, door prizes, info and entertainment.

If you’d like to contribute to our lending library, you can bring a book or dvd off of our Amazon Wishlist.

Or- if you would like to help us support Project Butterfly, you can bring any of the following items to Mead’s Corner any time between now and party day:

Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Wash
Lotion
Razors & Shave Gel
Feminine Products
Deodorant
Brushes

Project Butterfly is a support group for survivors through the Wichita YWCA.

This year we are proud to once again support efforts to stock the shelves for a couple of our favorite local agencies serving at-risk, homeless and runaway youth in our city. This population is at great risk for being exploited. Please consider picking up a few items off of these lists while you are doing your Christmas shopping and let’s help out during this season of giving!

The OZ Drop-In Center is the city’s only drop-in location specifically designed to serve homeless youth. Items for the OZ can be delivered to Carpenter Place Attn: ICT S.O.S 1501 N. Meridian. Or if you have a large donation for pick-up email info@ictsos.org.

The OZ Christmas Wish List

The Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County and the Wichita Exploited and Missing Children Unit work hand in hand to assist victims of child abuse, neglect, exploitation and sexual abuse. Officers and social workers often carry items with them to give comfort to a child or meet basic needs in times of crisis. Donations for these agencies can be delivered to Mead’s Corner or either location of Scribbles & Giggles Children’s Academy.

CAC/EMCU Christmas Wish List

And of course if you’d like to give an ICT S.O.S. tee or bracelet as a Christmas gift (and who wouldn’t?) you can now order online!

Last night I got a phone call from one of the EMCU officers involved in the case. When I answered, he said, “I have some news that I think you’re going to be pretty excited about.” He went on to explain that the verdict had just come in for this young lady’s trafficker. 3 counts of rape under Jessica’s Law, 3 counts of human trafficking- guilty on all 6. Justice!

For the past year and a half or so, I have thought about this young woman. I never knew her name, didn’t know what had happened to her. But I thought of her often and she continued to be a symbol to me of all the girls like her that we were working to create a better story for. Through prevention, support to local agencies, awareness and education we hope to create a city where this isn’t allowed to happen to our young women.

Today I got another call. “Do you want to meet her?”

The officer had told her a little about ICT S.O.S. and this movement that had started because of her story. He asked if she’d like to meet me. She said yes.

We made arrangements to meet and I barely made it in the front door before the tears came. I got to share with her what has happened over the last year and a half. I showed her a picture of the 900+ people who ran in the Race for Freedom in September. We talked about the Rock the Market concert, the conference, the O.Z. drop-in center…all of the people in this city who have come together to fight this in hopes that it won’t happen to other girls like her.

“All because of MY story?”

Yes, brave girl.

She is a vibrant, beautiful, bubbly teenager. Because of the work done by the officers, the DA’s office, the social workers, judge and others involved in her case- she has a chance to be just that. A teenager. A girl with a future. A chance to be whatever she chooses.

And for me, all of the many hours of work on events, donation drives, the t-shirts and blog posts and Facebook updates…it all came down to a hug. I got to hug the girl who broke my heart before I ever knew her name. She has a face, she has a name, she has a future. And that makes my heart happy.

We’ll kick things off with the Race for Freedom 5K Run/Walk on September 8th.

The next couple of weeks we’ll host several documentary screenings. Info about films, times and locations can be found on our events page.

We’ll wrap up the month with a 2-day conference featuring Elizabeth Smart as our keynote speaker. Info and registration forms can be found HERE.

And finally we’re going to Rock The Market! A huge concert in Old Town’s Farm and Art Market square will send the message to our entire city that our kids are NOT for sale!

With so many options- there is something for everyone. Each event will include chances to connect with other passionate people and local agencies working to end trafficking in Wichita!

With special thanks to Cox Communications, we are welcoming Elizabeth Smart as our keynote speaker.

In addition to Elizabeth, we will hear from speakers from:

• Wichita Police Department
• OATH Coalition
• ICT S.O.S.
• Veronica’s Voice
• Child Advocacy Center
• FBI
• Truckers Against Trafficking
• Many, many more!

For a full list of speakers and to register for the conference: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/33098983/2012%20Human%20Trafficking1.pdf

Registration is $35.00 and must be submitted no later than September 16, 2012.

Fees can be paid by check following instructions on the registration form or via Paypal at:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YKGBLU3GBF7MC

Sign up early- this is limited seating and may sell out!

Wednesday, July 11!

This will be a Facebook Meetup/Tweetup donation drive for the Child Advocacy Center  & Exploited and Missing Children’s Unit on Wednesday July 11.

11am-2pm
at Heroes Sportsbar in Old Town.

Stop by for lunch and drop off a donation!

If you would like to donate but can’t make it to one of these two events, email info@ictsos.org and we can make arrangements!

View our Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/468596436503536/

ICT S.O.S. was chosen from 3,000 entries to compete in the top 100 Causes for a $25,000 grant from the State Farm Youth Advisory Board. The grant will be chosen by a Facebook voting competition. The top 40 organizations will each receive $25,000 to use toward their community improving cause.

As of Monday April 30th, ICT S.O.S. was in 20th place. You can vote 10 times a day EACH DAY.

Voting ends May 17

Winners will be announced May 22nd. Please vote each day and share the link on your Facebook pages. It will take a strong effort all the way through the competition to remain in the top 40!

If we win the grant, ICT S.O.S. will be using it to renovate the houseparent quarters in the Independent Living Program at Carpenter Place. This will also free up 2 additional apartments for young women aged 18-24. Currently the program has 6 apartments. 4 are occupied and there are 4 potential residents coming to tour the remaining 2 this week alone. The need is great and we have a chance to create real change in the lives of at-risk young women in our city!

To vote, follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/statefarm/app_376288832400015?app_data=ICT-SOS