March 13, 2011 the Wichita Eagle published a story about a trafficking case here in our city that involved a 13 year old victim. That article changed my life and was the catalyst for ICT S.O.S. becoming the organization that it is today.

Here's a quick overview of some of the things that ICT S.O.S. has been a part of over the last 3 years:

• Multiple awareness events including documentary screenings, speaking engagements and even a flash mob.
• Thousands of dollars worth of donations collected including clothing, hygiene items, food and Christmas gifts for local agencies serving homeless, exploited and at-risk youth.
• A human trafficking conference with the U.S. Atorney's office for over 450 attendees.
• 2 Race for Freedom 5K races (3rd in planning now!)- each with over 900 runners and a combined total of over $35,000 raised for local agencies (Carpenter Place & Child Advocacy Center).
• 2 years of our Rock The Market concert in Old Town.
• $25,000 State Farm "Cause an Effect" grant won and donated to create additional housing at Carpenter Place.
• Thousands of volunteer hours logged with local agencies.
• Volunteers, donations, and coordination to get the "OZ" drop-in center up and ready to open.
• Middle and High School curriculum available at no cost to local schools, churches and groups with the "Tell Your Friends" program.
• A great social media presence and participation from the community to share info, spread needs and educate the public about opportunities to get involved.

And we're just getting started!

This past 3 years have FLOWN by. We have so many dedicated volunteers, donors, runners, sponsors and participants in our events. And that is what ICT S.O.S. is all about- giving EVERYONE an opportunity to fight trafficking in our city through prevention, education, resources and volunteerism. We couldnt do it without all of you!

And a special note to our board members: You have given so much of your time, talent, passion, blood, sweat and tears to this organization and to our community. ICT S.O.S. would not exist without you. You have been amazing friends and cohorts on this crazy ride and I love each of you dearly. Thank you for what you give, so unselfishly, every time a need arises. You are AMAZING!

It's been a crazy, beautiful, hard, rewarding, exhausting, and humbling 3 years. Let's keep going, shall we?

Thanks just isn't enough,

Jennifer White

Founder, ICT S.O.S.

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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.

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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!

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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/

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Our focus for the last several months has been The OZ. Now that the center is open, what is next for ICT S.O.S.?

Our next event is FREEDOM214: A Night of Worship at Mead's Corner.

This is an event organized by Kevin Johnson and Aaron Lewis, 2 college students with a heart for this issue. The evening will include music, prayer, video and conversation about human trafficking in Wichita. They will also take up an offering to benefit The OZ. We are also encouraging attendees to bring an item or two off the Target Wishlist for the center.

This will be a great opportunity to meet others in our community who are interested in fighting the exploitation of children in our city.

Our next ICT S.O.S. meeting will be held February 21st at 6pm at The OZ (1157 N.Emporia)

We are turning our focus now to legislative and policy changes, more local awareness and projects to reach potential victims. We have some exciting events on our radar for 2012 and would love all the input we can get from our members.

We are also continuing to work through the process to become an official non-profit. Our Articles of Incorporation have been approved by the Kansas Secretary of State. We'll be drafting bylaws and selecting a Board of Directors soon.

An easy way to help is to order the necklace designed by The Rusted Chain for us. $10 from the purchase of each one goes directly to ICT S.O.S. to help fund our projects. You can order one here: http://therustedchain.bigcartel.com/product/be-free-charity-necklace

Another great way to help is by encouraging a survivor to "Be Free" by donating a necklace for her to wear as a daily reminder. You can do so by ordering from the above link and having the necklace shipped to Veronica's Voice in Kansas City. They are a safe haven for survivors and often serve women from the Wichita area as well as KC. To have a necklace shipped there use this address:

Veronica's Voice
Attn: Kiersten
PO BOX 172472
Kansas City, KS 66117-1472

 Jennifer will speaking about ICT S.O.S. at Gracepoint Church for their Gracepoint Summit on Saturday Jan. 21st.

https://www.facebook.com/ictsos#!/events/281384388586498/

And at City Life Church Sunday morning Jan. 22nd. at 10:30am

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Monday Jan 30th, 2012 Mead's Corner will host a special night of music, prayer and conversation about human trafficking.

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/171410072966181/

A special offering will be taken at the event to benefit the Youth Resource Center staffed by the Wichita Children's Home. Donations will help to purchase items still needed for the center.

If you'd like to purchase an item to bring, you can choose from the Target Wishlist:

http://www.target.com/ot/list/u6n_NB5d5DYIVbrSVigy2Q

Hope to see you there!

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We have our monthly meeting on Tuesday evening 1/10/12 at 6pm. We'll meet at the new youth resource center at 1157 N. Emporia. There are still some items needed for the opening of the resource center and we'll discuss that. We'll also hear from the CASA program about how we can help as court appointed special advocates.

If you would like to pick up a few items off the wishlist and bring them to the meeting, that would be awesome!

http://www.target.com/ot/list/u6n_NB5d5DYIVbrSVigy2Q

Then...The BIG Move In Day!!

Be sure to register at Volunteer Kansas: http://www.volunteerkansas.org/Opportunities/Opportunity/337:Extreme_Makeover_Day_for_Youth_Resource_Center

We'll move in the furniture, clean, set up the rooms, and anything and everything else to get the center ready for opening day. Come see all the beautiful work that has been done and help make this an AMAZING place for Wichita's kids! We'll also reveal the name the kids have chosen for the center!

It's been months in the making and I'm so excited to see the center open and serving our youth. THANK YOU to everyone who has had a part in it!

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Donations of gifts, time and service were given to:

Carpenter Place

Wichita Children's Home (Youth Resource Center)

Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County/EMCU

THANK YOU!!

Looking forward to 2012- here's what's coming up next for ICT S.O.S.:

January Meeting: Tuesday January 10 at 6pm at the Youth Resource Center

More info here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/320810844606944/?context=create

Youth Resource Center Move In Work Day: January 16t at 9am

Sign up to help here:

http://www.volunteerkansas.org/Opportunities/Opportunity/337:Extreme_Makeover_Day_for_Youth_Resource_Center

Many items are still needed, check out the wish list here:

http://www.target.com/ot/list/u6n_NB5d5DYIVbrSVigy2Q

And here's a nice article about the project:

http://www.kansas.com/2011/12/26/2153506/midtown-wichita-center-for-homeless.html

Hope to see you at one of the January events! 2012 is going to be great year in the fight against human trafficking!

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We now have a move-in date set. This will be our next work day, NOT Dec. 17th as we originally planned. Check out Volunteer Kansas and sign up to help!

http://www.volunteerkansas.org/Opportunities/Opportunity/337:Extreme_Makeover_Day_for_Youth_Resource_Center

Keep watching our Facebook page for updated photos of the progress! www.facebook.com/ictsos

And if you want to help out with items for the center, check out the Target Wishlist!

http://www.target.com/ot/list/u6n_NB5d5DYIVbrSVigy2Q

Our next meeting is Tuesday Dec. 13th at 6pm at the Youth Resource Center location (11th & Emporia)

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/335796179769436/

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