I have seen statistics stating that as high as 80% of trafficked youth have been in the child welfare system. To me, this says one thing: we need to do a better job of supporting foster agencies, foster parents and foster youth.

Children who have a sense of community, family and support are much less vulnerable to abusers and traffickers. So, how do we create that safety net? Here's a list of ideas:

• Be a foster parent!
• Be a respite provider. You don't have to be a full-time foster family. You can also provide occasional respite or emergency care.
• Serve as a foster care ambassador. (Contact valerie.leon@st-francis.org for info!)
• Be a support to a family that you know is fostering. (Provide meals, rides, babysitting)
• Throw a "Foster Shower" for new foster parents for items they will need. (Outlet plugs, cabinet locks, smoke detectors, etc)
• Send an encouraging note or small gift to a kiddo placed with someone you know.
• Call to check in with foster parents and ask how they are doing- let them vent if they need!
• Show up to games, concerts, events for fostering families- cheer LOUDLY.
• Host a donation drive for a foster agency for duffel bags, snacks, kids' books or other items they need.
• Volunteer at an agency's office.

The requirements to foster are fairly simple:

• 21 or older, married or single
• Complete MAPP training
• Pass a background check
• Have an additional source of income (outside of foster care reimbursement)
• Own or rent a suitable residence
• Be willing to work as a team member

There are several great agencies to work with in the Wichita area as well:

Saint Francis Community Services

Youthville

Wichita Children's Home

Salvation Army

TFI Family Services

The post May is Foster Care Awareness Month appeared first on ICT SOS.

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.

Making "The OZ" from James Wilson on Vimeo.

My wonderful friend, James, was at both work days helping and shooting photos for this time-lapse video. Such a fun look at the project from start to finish!

To volunteer at The OZ, please contact Beth Thummel, Volunteer Coordinator, at the Wichita Children's Home.

The post Making The OZ...A Video by James Wilson 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.

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.

Here is a link to some of the photos from the work day on November 19th: https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.299641800068452.77624.202503353115631&type=3

And don't forget, there are still LOTS of needed items. If you'd like to pick up a few while you're out Christmas shopping, here's a Target Wishlist: http://www.target.com/ot/list/u6n_NB5d5DYIVbrSVigy2Q

Thnk you to everyone who has supported this project. It's going to be so wonderful for our community when it is finished!

The post Youth Resource Center Updates appeared first on ICT SOS.