Words of Wisdom and Hope from a Survivor and Advocate
As we reflect on the many conversations, increased awareness, renewed ideas, and tools to help end and prevent human trafficking, it is clear we still have work to do. NSPN recognizes the importance of survivor’s stories in the work we do. Lynn Caffery, Executive Director of Safe Harbor Youth, Inc., shared her perspective as a survivor of human trafficking who now serves at-risk youth. In addition, Lynn uses her story to educate and spread awareness, provide training to law enforcement, and advocate for legislation to help end human trafficking.
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2020
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) defines “severe forms of human trafficking” as, “The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for: Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is inducted by force, fraud, and coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or, Labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, and coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Human trafficking is a billion dollar industry that targets all populations, but particularly people in vulnerable positions (runaway and homeless youth, victims of domestic violence, and LGBTQ+ populations). In observation of the month, National Safe Place Network (NSPN) will be providing Members with resources throughout the month to help agencies address the wide scope of human trafficking. The following resources can help you get started planning and raising awareness for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month:
Lost In America: A Night to End Youth Homelessness
Lost in America, a documentary film directed by Rotimi Rainwater, explores the issue of youth homelessness. Rainwater, a former homeless youth himself, interviews youth who are currently living or have previously lived on the street about the circumstances that led them there. There are also interviews with politicians, public figures, and youth service agencies who are all either striving to help these youth or directly influential to their situation.
In an effort to raise awareness about the issue of youth homelessness, Lost in America producers and partners are hosting “A Night To End Youth Homelessness”. Youth service providers and community members are encouraged to hold a sleep-out or group gathering on the night of November 16, 2019. Participants are asked to register their group so an accurate count of participating entities may be collected. After registering your sleep-out or group gathering, you will receive a link to screen Lost in America at your event. Register today at www.anightforyouth.org/subscribe.
To help support this initiative and your organization’s commitment to help end youth homelessness, National Safe Place Network (NSPN) has provided tips on how to hold a sleep-out, fundraising opportunities, and raising awareness. As a proud partner of Lost in America, NSPN is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to end youth homelessness by working with influencers across the nation to achieve the vision of a world where all youth are safe.
This toolkit is provided courtesy of National Safe Place Network (NSPN), a partner in Lost in America. National Safe Place Network (NSPN) provides quality training and technical support for youth and family service organizations across the country. In addition to being a leading membership organization offering tailored organizational development, training, and professional development packages, NSPN operates the nationally recognized programs Safe Place, HTR3, and the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC).
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) announced a collaboration with RLH Corporation to designate Americas Best Value Inn properties as Safe Place® TXT 4 HELP sites – expanding NSPN’s network and providing more locations in more communities across the country for youth in crisis to go for help. Americas Best Value Inn will be the first national hotel sponsor of the program.
NSPN established and operates Safe Place, a national outreach and prevention program for young people in need of immediate help and safety. Safe Place has expanded their reach to more communities by promoting and utilizing TXT 4 HELP sites, which are available in communities where a “traditional” Safe Place program is not available.
“Unfortunately, in today’s world, young people face family problems, homelessness, bullying, neglect, abuse, and even human trafficking,” said Laurie Jackson, president and ceo of NSPN. “Each year, the Safe Place and TXT 4 HELP programs directly impacts the lives of more than 12,000 youth by providing access to immediate help and safety. TXT 4 HELP has offered real-time assistance to youth in crisis by responding to more than 117,000 incoming text messages since its inception in 2009. We are excited to expand our network now with Americas Best Value Inn locations around the country.”
“National Safe Place Network is a program close to my heart,” said Greg Mount, RLH Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer. “I am excited for the opportunity to have our Americas Best Value Inn locations participate in the program, expanding NSPN, providing more locations in more communities for youth in crisis to go to for help, making a difference and direct impact in our Americas Best Value Inn communities.”
“RLH Corporation is a perfect example of the hospitality industry’s comprehensive commitment to safety,” said Chip Rogers, President and CEO of American Hotel & Lodging Association. “The National Safe Place Network is truly saving lives and is being significantly enhanced by the addition of hundreds of America’s Best Value Inns. We hope this example of doing good will be replicated by companies in every industry.”
To learn more about franchising with RLH Corporation, visit franchise.rlhco.com. We don’t wait for the future. We create it.
About National Safe Place Network
National Safe Place Network (NSPN) provides quality training and technical support for youth and family service organizations across the country. Along with being a leading membership organization offering tailored organizational development, training and professional development packages, NSPN also operates the nationally recognized programs Safe Place, HTR3, and the Family and Youth Services Bureau’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Training and Technical Assistance Center (RHYTTAC). To learn more, please visit www.nspnetwork.org.
About RLH Corporation
RLH Corporation is an innovative hotel company focused on the franchising, management and ownership of upscale, midscale and economy hotels. The company focuses on maximizing return on invested capital for hotel owners across North America through relevant brands, industry-leading technology and forward-thinking services. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.rlhco.com.
Calming Down: How Both You & Your Clients Can Benefit from Workplace Mindfulness
Live Webinar on February 28th, 2019 from 1-2:00 p.m. EST courtesy of Youth Catalytics
Our work lives are full of demands and tasks that can make us feel stressed — and not just a little, but a lot. According to research, around 40% of the US workforce report feeling significant stress in the workplace. This stress has adverse effects our health and personal well-being, not to mention our performance and productivity. One antidote is to cultivate a mindfulness practice in the workplace. For those of us who work with children, youth, and families, mindfulness practice is a twofer, because we can introduce and support these same practices with our clients. This webinar will focus on teaching a few mindfulness practices that will help you manage your own stress in your daily work, and that you can teach to your children, youth and families.
Learning objectives:
Learn several mindfulness activities and why they work.
Practice and reflect on the activities and discuss how you might implement them in your workplace.
Learn practical ways to teach mindfulness activities to the children and youth with whom you work.
Trainer: Youth Catalytics’ Training Director Cindy Carraway-Wilson has trained nationally on youth development and adolescent brain science for 20 years. Before becoming a full-time trainer, she worked as a counselor in an intensive treatment unit; as a mental health therapist; as staff in a crisis nursery and adolescent shelter; and as a program/clinical director for an adolescent shelter and crisis intervention outreach program.
