Story by Activist / Contributing Writer Brother James Shabazz.
“40 PERCENT OF MISSING PERSONS ARE PERSONS OF COLOR, YET AFRICAN AMERICANS MAKE UP ONLY 13 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. (SOURCE: CENSUS.GOV)”
The community’s power, when mobilized around a shared cause, can harness the energy to protect children from kidnappers and sex traffickers, which is both urgent and achievable, especially by engaging community institutions like churches and mosques that already hold trust and influence within vulnerable communities.
Monthly town hall meetings led by these religious institutions could serve as the foundation for community-led agendas focused on protecting children and addressing broader social and economic issues. Such gatherings could create safe spaces for education, open dialogue, and the development of concrete action plans.
Here’s how leaders in religious institutions can mobilize and protect the community effectively:
Educational Campaigns: Use town hall meetings to educate the community on the warning signs of trafficking and how to identify potentially dangerous situations. Churches and mosques can also partner with local law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations to provide tools and resources.
Community Watch Networks: Religious leaders can organize members into neighborhood watch groups, fostering awareness and vigilance to protect children and report suspicious activity. This kind of network can unite the community and allow them to act as guardians for one another.
Youth Programs and Mentorship: Providing structured, supportive programs for youth keeps them engaged and informed. Mentorship programs can give young people role models, offering them guidance, strength, and a sense of belonging that deters traffickers.
Collaborative Resource Centers: Churches and mosques can function as resource centers, connecting families with counseling, financial assistance, or other services. This can help alleviate some socio-economic pressures that traffickers often exploit.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Religious leaders can advocate for stronger policies to protect children and hold traffickers accountable. This might involve working with lawmakers or participating in public forums to voice community concerns.
The involvement of religious institutions as trusted, active leaders can establish a foundation of support that enables the community to protect its children,
strengthening the moral responsibility and solidarity among all members. It’s time to call on leaders to spearhead these efforts to defend the well-being and future of our children.
WANT TO HELP ?
“Black and Missing Foundation, Inc (BAMFI) has been established as a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring awareness to missing persons of color; provide vital resources and tools to missing person’s families and friends and to educate the minority community on personal safety.”
1-877-97-BAMFI (1-877-972-2634
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