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.

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.

The post Full Circle 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.

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.

Homeless Youth Resource Center Clean-Up Day from James Wilson on Vimeo.

The post Youth Resource Center Work Day Videos! appeared first on ICT SOS.

Work Day #1: is Saturday November 19th 9-3. More info here: http://www.volunteerkansas.com/Opportunities/Opportunity/328:Cleanup_Day_For_Daytime_Resource_Center_for_Homeless_Youth_

Items still needed for the center:

Target Wishlist

Books

Pool Table for Drop-In Center

Food for Drop-In Center Work Day

Paper Goods for the Drop-In Center

Cleaning Supplies for the Drop-In Center

Needs List for Drop-In Center (Larger Items)

If you can help with any of these items or if your church or business would like to host a donation drive or "angel tree" please email info@ictsos.org

After this Saturday's work day, the contractors will be in there working hard to get everything ready for us to move in later in December. The target move-in date and community work day is Dec. 17th, 2011. More info on that work day here: http://www.volunteerkansas.com/Opportunities/Opportunity/337:Extreme_Makeover_Day_for_Youth_Resource_Center

And last but not least, a HUGE thanks to some of the many people working hard to make all of this happen!

Volunteer Kansas

Bauer & Son Construction

A&H Electric

Meadowland Fine Remodeling

Wichita Children's Home

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

Watch Impact - Nov. 3rd, 2011 on PBS. See more from IMPACT.

The post ICT S.O.S. on KPTS TV's Impact appeared first on ICT SOS.

Please sign up at:

http://www.volunteerkansas.org/Opportunities/Opportunity/328:Daytime_Drop-In_Center_for_Homeless_Youth_Cleanup_Day

Be sure to check out our Volunteer Opportunities page for needs and links to help!

Time to roll up our sleeves!

The post Let's get to work! appeared first on ICT SOS.