Through a multitude of mediums and content types, including videos, letters from survivors to their buyers, and national petitions, youthSpark is working to increase awareness about commercial sexual exploitation of young girls and to help stop buyers who perpetuate this crime.

On May 15, 2012 A Future. Not a Past. released the official Public Service Announcement (PSA) that sheds light on this issue and features Keisha Head, survivor of commercial sexual exploitation.

Please watch, share, and donate to help youthSpark put an end to this crime once and for all!

Gabrielle Mulloon (pictured on the left) is an intern at youthSpark and has been a child advocate since she was eight years old.  She currently volunteers as a Community Ambassador, a Family Literacy Tutor for Refugee Family Services, and is a Delta Epsilon Iota member. Recently graduating from Georgia State University, Gabrielle will continue her intern work at youthSpark and also pursue similar volunteer opportunities to support her transition into the nationally ranked graduate Social Work program at Georgia State University.

Why are you passionate about this area?

Enduring poverty, impoverished living conditions, the adaptation to a new school every year, and variations of abuse since I was born, I could have been a victim of commercial sexual exploitation. Fortunately, I had a few teachers that prevented this circumstance, fighting for my life and for my education. Their selflessness and compassion, my role as an older sibling, and my child advocacy has induced a passion to fight for those girls also at risk. Studying sociology has enlightened me of the factors that reinforce this social issue: education, gender, race, and wealth inequalities. As a future social worker, my journey will focus on diminishing these equalities.

Why do you support this organization?

I sincerely and wholeheartedly believe in and adhere to this organization’s core principle: All Children Always Matter. Unbeknownst to me, my life’s work of child advocacy has produced, reproduced, sustained, and legitimized this mission. Det. J.L. Thomas introduced me to this organization two years ago, and I have not yielded my support since. Now as a sociology intern, I have witnessed each staff implement and practice this motto with passion and fervor for each child, further demonstrating that this organization operates with a result-oriented atmosphere. I support my fellow staff because they have supported me along my journey of child advocacy and introduced me to a group of girls that I have grown to love, to respect, and to care for dearly. It is these high expectations that induce our Voices girls to strive for nothing short of their dreams. I believe that one day, our inspiration in their lives will transpire change in the lives of others.

How do you ignite justice and inspire change?

At the tender age of 8, I became a child advocate after the birth of my younger siblings. For the past 18 years, I have been campaigning for the welfare of children with organizations such as Jumpstart, Hands on Atlanta, Refugee Family Services, Centennial Place Family YMCA, Future Business Leaders of America, and Delta Epsilon Iota, centering on factors as abuse and poverty that reinforce educational barriers. Being a leader in high school and college has provided me with a privileged set of skills that I wish to pass on to every child born into a disadvantaged situation. Beyond volunteering, I influence my family and friends to always stand up for their rights, equal opportunity, and justice.

The value of youthSpark to this community is…

Demonstrated every week at group sessions with the Voices girls and in their lives beyond these sessions. In less than four months as a sociology intern from Georgia State University, I have witnessed a change, progress, and future aspirations to conquer any barrier in their way. youthSpark understands the need in these girls’ lives. As past organizations that were present in my youth, youthSpark works and continually ignites justice and inspires change in every life it touches.

youthSpark thanks CPK!

We’re excited to continue into the second month of youthSpark’s partnership with California Pizza Kitchen.

Simply print this flyer, dine in or carry out at any Atlanta-area CPK on Wednesday, May 23rd, and 20% of your bill will be donated to youthSpark! Not only is this promotion taking place on May 23rd, but it is also taking place the 4th Wednesday of each month. So mark your calendars for this special lunch or dinner spot once per month!

Not only will you enjoy a fabulous meal, but you will help youthSpark ignite justice and inspire change. We are committed to standing with at-risk youth and their families and working collaboratively to achieve long-lasting systemic change in the juvenile justice and social services arenas through all of our youthSpark programs including our Family Visitation Program, Voices Project, Project Ready, Set, Go! and A Future. Not A Past., a national human trafficking awareness and advocacy campaign of youthSpark.

Remember, print this flyer, present it to your waiter, and 20% will be donated to youthSpark.

Visit any of these Atlanta-area California Pizza Kitchen locations on Wednesday, May 23rd: Atlantic Station (Atlanta), Lenox Square (Atlanta), Perimeter Terraces (Atlanta), Pine Straw (Marietta), Forum at Peachtree Parkway (Norcross), North Point (Alpharetta).

Thank you for your continued support!

Each year people gather at the Georgia State Capitol building to pray about many topics that are troubling this country. This year Sharon Simpson Joseph, Executive Director at youthSpark was invited by the state director of National Prayer Day, Jacquie Tyre, to pray on ending the issue of child sex trafficking.

Sharon’s personal prayer called upon the Lord to give us all the courage to make a difference in preventing the exploitation of children. For those who weren’t in attendance, please enjoy Sharon’s prayer below.

“Dear, Loving Creator,

We come before you this day with our children in our hearts.

There is an epidemic that’s swept our city and our state and our nation.

Child sex trafficking, three words that should never be strung together, instead embody a struggle so profound that we are losing girls and boys to it every day.

Help us to know that girls and boys, as young as 11 and 12 years old, are being prostituted right under our noses.

Not millions of miles away, but right here, in Atlanta, in Georgia… one of the top ten ranked cities for this heinous crime, in our nation.

Give us the courage, Lord, to have faith that each us can make a difference.

Help us to hear your voice in our spirits; calling us to look this problem in the face, for in knowledge lays power.

Once we know, give us the path and the journey to stop the trafficking of our children. Help us all to make no mistake

Yes, this means men, grown men, are buying our children in a city where 7200 men purchase sex from under age girls each month.

Lord, hear our prayer to put an end to this travesty. In a world where the voice of a child says there’s nobody who believes in me, nobody who cares if I live or die.

Lord, hear our prayer in a world where children cry themselves to sleep at night on the street or in a stranger’s bed.

Hear our prayer. We can’t go on like this.

Lord, please bless and protect every child that is out there on the street right now, feeling that no one cares. Let our collective and powerful prayers fill these children’s spirits with a clear message of love and hope.

And then, give us the strength, we foot soldiers of your work; brig us more soldiers in your army to defeat this attack.

Wake up the men who are purchasers and perpetrators of this exploitation, the sale of our children to know that these children are our daughters and sons, whose lives are being stolen and lost. Stop their actions in their tracks.

And let them know that there is an earthly and a heavenly price to pay!

Bless our city, state and national leaders with the vision and commitment to lead the charge.

And as I pray for this I pray for the children, Lord, that have already been lost, who have experienced such pain and degradation that we may never understand.

For the girl raped 45 times. For the 12 year old pregnant with her pimp’s baby. For the boy sold by his parents into sexual slavery. Lord, we pray for them all.

Give each of us the purpose of mind and resources to ignite justice and inspire change for children.

Let each of us be a spark that ignites a world where the commercial sexual exploitation of our children will be words from a past that we have had the courage to overcome and to change.

Let boys and girls know that God is with them, even as we adults seek to join them and stand beside our children. Or better yes, in front of them, keeping them safe.

I pray for the words of this song to echo in their own hearts:

‘I found God in myself, and I loved her fiercely.”

Help us to bring out the spark that lives withing each child, within each of us, that calls us to make a difference.

Amen.”

Angela Boudreaux (pictured in pink) is the Social Justice Fellows Program Coordinator at Spelman College where she works to train students to be leaders in the non-profit sector and to be advocates for social change.

How do you ignite justice and inspire change?

Primarily, I ignite justice and inspire change through my role to serve Spelman College Social Justice Fellows and Associates.  I work to ensure that our students are more than prepared to begin life long careers as advocates on behalf of children and elders upon their graduation.  I aim for my life to be a testimony that each person can make a difference because of his or her own unique purpose.  I work to make sure my students understand their potential to be the change they want to see and advocate for the justice that rightfully belongs to them.   Before accepting this position, I acted similarly in my role as a classroom teacher.  I demanded justice for my own students, even when it threatened my employment.  I inspired the families and communities of my students to want and demand more.  Together, we made large strides for our children.

Why are you passionate about this area?

I am passionate about my work with students, young and old, because I am a testament to how much a student can do with mentorship and support.  I believe that education is the surest way for one to better himself or herself.  In my current role, it is my duty to make sure that every student with whom I interact receives the best from me so that she can find the best within herself.

Why do you support this organization?

I support youthSpark because of its dedication to youth, particularly those battling the most vulnerable circumstances.  I believe that youthSpark’s proven history of effecting positive social change demands respect and support so that you can continue to make more positive impact in the years to come.  I believe that the best leaders work hard to put themselves out of a job—a mindset I see behind the incredible faithfulness and determination of everyone at youthSpark.

The value of youthSpark to this community is….

Its proven ability to raise awareness, educate, positively impact, and continue its work to eliminate such a challenging variety of social ills.

Organized by the students, the concert will raise awareness and money for victims of child sex trafficking in the Atlanta area. All proceeds from the concert will go to youthSpark’s campaign A Future. Not a Past. that fights to stop the prostitution of children. 

Headlining the concert is The Museum, a contemporary Christian rock band. Other performers are Against the Downpour, a local praise and worship band; Made Whole, a local band; and the Wheeler Funk Ensemble.

We are extremely proud to have a student, especially a male student, who wants to use his platform to raise awareness about child sex trafficking. The more young people are aware, the better they can protect themselves from predators that seek to exploit them.

“Breaking the Shackles” Benefit Concert
May 18, 2012
7:00-9:30 PM
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
955 Johnson Road in Marietta, Georgia

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance via www.itickets.com. Cash and checks will be accepted.

For more information on the event, read Cameron and Karina’s belief in the cause by clicking here.

Moderated by WABE’s Rose Scott, our expert panel will discuss what legislation we can possibly support to keep moving forward as we work to keep Georgia’s children safe from predators who seek to exploit them.

In addition, attendees will be able to view the first public showing of the Take a Stand Against Demand Public Service Announcement featuring youthSpark’s own Keisha Head and Allison Hood.

2012 Legislative Wrap Up
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
7:30am: Continental Breakfast
8:00am - 9:00am: Panel Discussion

North Avenue Presbyterian Church
607 Peachtree Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30308

Parking is free for the event and you can enter from Courtland or North Avenue. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor.

To RSVP for this event please send your name to info@afuturenotapast.org by May 11.

While sexual exploitation of children may sound like something that only happens in another country, the truth is that it’s happening in Georgia each and every day. In Atlanta over 300 children a month are being victimized into sexual exploitation and each year 28,000 men in Atlanta are having sex with prostituted adolescent girls. 

Additionally, this issue has no social boundaries and is harming children of all races and socioeconomic statuses. During the episode Jennifer Swain informed, “42% of the 7,200 that purchased sex each month in Georgia live north of I-275. This is not just a one-neighborhood issue. This is not just an Atlanta problem. This is an entire state problem.”

It is also important to realize that juvenile justice be held for these children, as many are forced into prostitution and are victimized by pimps that profit through their services. “No child ever walks into the court building dragging a trash bag full of money,” stated Swain. “Children are being bought and sold for profit and their pimp is making all of the money.”

youthSpark believes in the importance of educating the public on how many men are out there purchasing sex from children and make it a priority that these men are held accountable for their actions.

This episode of Focus Atlanta truly sheds light on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children and discusses how these children need our commitment and support to reclaim their lives.

You can watch the full episode of Focus Atlanta and youthSpark’s contribution by clicking here.

Rodney Wilson is the Principal Consultant for AdvIntell (“Advancement through Intelligent Solutions”) and works to advance the mission of nonprofit organizations through quality improvement expertise. He was introduced to youthSpark through Community Consulting Teams of Atlanta in 2006. He and his team helped develop, implement and operate the housing subsidy program called the Family Unification Voucher program for the clients of Project Ready, Set, Go! by facilitating a partnership with youthSpark, Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) and the Fulton County Department of Family and Child Services (DFCS).

How do you ignite justice and inspire change?

We help organizations fulfill their mission by building the infrastructure to achieve specific outcomes and put the pieces into place to be successful. We want to create the necessary tools to allow the staff to do what they know needs to be done for their clients. We don’t have the social service background to do direct service, but we can assist nonprofit organizations in finding resources and eliminating obstacles.

Why are you passionate about this area? I am very passionate about the justice system as it relates to youth. The more time I spend working in the nonprofit arena, the more I see the variety of issues affecting youth—I have a more thorough understanding of what is really going on. I want to see programs that rehabilitate rather than incarcerate.

Why do you support this organization?

Anything dealing with youth and giving them a better chance or a second chance is a worthy cause that is well deserving of our attention, efforts and energy.

The value of youthSpark to this community is….

Hope, an invaluable resource. The youth are our hope and our future. We need organizations like youthSpark that fill in the gaps in the community where there should be safety and support for kids. Unfortunately, the youth that youthSpark serves have some of the biggest challenges and obstacles to having a sustainable, productive life. They can’t do it by themselves yet.  They need support and we need them to thrive.

Do you want to be a guest on Start a Spark? Email Allison Hood at ahood@youth-spark.org to start a spark of your own.