While this year has been unpredictable and filled with disappointments and hardships, this holiday season, you can help bring hope and joy to those especially in need. As holiday shopping is underway, consider how you can make a difference for a survivor of human trafficking or someone who is vulnerable and at-risk. Whether it is through a gift for a …
Domestic Violence, COVID-19 & Human Trafficking
Domestic violence impacts both men and women. Over 19,000 calls a day are made to hotlines across the country. Definition While you may have heard of “domestic violence”, do you really know what it means? It is critical to understand all that domestic violence includes so that you do not miss the signs that may be in front of you. …
5 Ways Guidance Counselors Are Uniquely Positioned
Every September, as fall is ushered in, it signals a change from long summer days to the start of routines, school, and all things sports. Yet this year, many schools and parents find themselves starting the school year with virtual or hybrid learning, without a consistent routine, and many sports and activities on hold, leaving many school staff and educators …
Why You Are Uniquely Positioned To Help End Human Trafficking
When you first hear of human trafficking, perhaps you feel overwhelmed. With numbers and statistics in the millions, it is hard to imagine what you can do. Perhaps you learned about it happening overseas, and you think you can only support from afar or take a trip there. Or maybe, when you really think about it, it appears so dark …
Your Response This World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Each July 30th, the United Nations internationally commemorates the day as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of the horrible reality that is impacting millions of lives around the world and in communities all throughout the United States. How is this happening? Human trafficking is the sale of human beings for the purposes of sexual exploitation, …
Internet Safety | The Unknown Dangers
In 2019, the CyberTipline received over 16.9 million reports of online exploitation of children. It’s hard to comprehend these figures. Yet with new games, apps, and websites readily available in a single click, many youth face dangers downloading, uploading, sharing, and connecting on the Internet. These apps and games may appear harmless on the surface, but do you know the …
Aging Out of Foster Care | A Daunting Challenge
Guest post by Annie Evelsizer For many youth on their 18th birthday of their senior year of high school, there is a desire to host a party to celebrate their first small step towards adulthood. There are worries over what should be worn, what snacks to serve, if anyone was left anyone out, and if there would be enough time …
How Can You Say “Yes”?
*This post is by guest blogger Annie Evelsizer. This story is inspired by true events and real people. As a respite care provider in the foster care system, she agreed to care for a bubbly and busy 11-month-old boy over a long weekend so his foster parents could take a family vacation. With three elementary aged biological children of …
Resource Roundup
The times may be uncertain, but we can be certain that there are still needs, and everyone is uniquely positioned to make a difference. “The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers” – Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA Check out these resources to learn how you can be activated …
Ways You Can Engage to Meet Needs During the Pandemic
In uncertain and disconcerting times that impact our world, we can be mindful of those who are in great need and how compounding vulnerabilities impact the most vulnerable in our communities. We are encouraged to remember that while we all step back to participate in social distancing, we can step forward in our commitment to proactively help our neighbors and …