To volunteer with youthSpark, go to www.youth-spark.org
Tackling a growing problem in Atlanta, youthSpark has become a safe haven for the many young girls who are victims of child sex trafficking. Through its extensive work since its founding, then Juvenile Justice Fund, the organization realized that there was more work to be done, which also needed more involvement from the community.
“The question for us became ‘how do we provide resources to break the cycle?’, in addition to many of the other programs in place,” said Sharon Simpson-Joseph, executive director at youthSpark. “We not only wanted to help those who are already victims, but wanted to start exploring the issues that lead to this and also, how we can use the community to spread the word to, hopefully, end this problem.”
Atlanta is one of the top 10 cities for child sex trafficking, which is the third most-profitable illicit business internationally, according to youthSpark data. The nonprofit started prevention and community programs to help spread awareness and education on the topic.
“We wanted to look at prevention also so we can get to the root of the problem,” said Allison Hood, program coordinator. The organization hosts two specific programs: A Future. Not A Past. And The Voice Project. The former helps train law enforcement officers, city officials, and more to recognize and address the problem.
The Voices Project provides prevention and early intervention for girls ages 11-17 coming through the juvenile justice systems. The program identifies “high-risk” girls and through leadership training, mentorship and self-esteem building, it helps them become positive and productive members of society. Additonally, youthSpark has intiated youthSpark Igniters to middle and high schools to begin the conversation with local youth.
“We are always looking for volunteers to help further this cause,” shared Hood. “People can volunteer with the organization and Voices Project, or even become community ambassadors to help educate their neighborhoods. We need help to spread the word since this is a statewide problem.”
The 2010 Georgia Demand Study showed that 42 percent of men who partake in child sex trafficking are in or around suburban metro Atlanta.
Simpson-Joseph added, “We really want to celebrate hope for these girls, and believe that with our community, we can make a change and fight this issue.”
In other news: Red Pepper Taqueria launched their "Nacho Average Taco" campaign earlier this year, an initiative to give back to great causes in Atlanta. For two months, the neighborhood gem featured a "Kale Me Hungry" taco with sales benefiting the Just Heart Foundation. The Briarcliff-based presented the charity $1,080, the amount raised for the local organization. Just Heart's mission is to assist families with sick or hospitalized children by making utility, mortgage or other kinds of payments during the initial crisis.
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