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!

The post New Human Trafficking Legislation Passed! appeared first on ICT SOS.

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!

The post ICT S.O.S. Christmas 2012 appeared first on ICT SOS.

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!

The post September- Month of Awareness! appeared first on ICT SOS.

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

The post So, what's next? appeared first on ICT SOS.

Here are some pictures from the day:

You can also view these photos and tag yourself in them on the ICT S.O.S. Facebook Page!

The local media was wonderful to embrace this project and to help spread awareness of the problems homeless teenagers face. We're very blessed to have a community that is stepping up to say this must STOP!

• KFDI News
• The Wichita Eagle
• KSN News
• KWCH News
• KAKE News
• Wichita Business Journal
• Examiner.com
• Video from Volunteer Kansas

The center opens this Wednesday January 18, 2012 from 3-6pm. They will also hold their first weekly group meeting there Thursday evening. This will be the first time many of the kids will see the center that they have named "The OZ" or Opportunity Zone. Risa summed it up best by explaining that it is, "Where some travelers find their brains, some their courage, others their hearts and they all find a way home."

I could not be more proud of the work we have done. So many people came together to make this happen for our kids. Contractors, laborers, donors, volunteers and people willing to spread the word or say a prayer. All were equally important!

Thank you!

The post The OZ (Opportunity Zone) is finished! appeared first on ICT SOS.

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!

The post Freedom214: A Night of Worship to benefit ICT S.O.S. appeared first on ICT SOS.

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!

The post Big week for us! appeared first on ICT SOS.

I am very honored and excited to announce that The Rusted Chain Jewelry has created a custom-designed piece in support of ICT S.O.S. and in January $10 from the purchase of each necklace will be donated to help end human trafficking right here in Wichita.

Here's what owner, Beki, has to say about the necklace:

http://www.blog.therustedchain.com/2011/12/new-year-new-word-big-news.html

Here's a direct link to purchase:

http://therustedchain.bigcartel.com/product/be-free-charity-necklace

The post Buy a Necklace- Fight Human Trafficking appeared first on ICT SOS.

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!

The post Move-In Work Day and January Meeting appeared first on ICT SOS.

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/

The post We have a move-in date! appeared first on ICT SOS.