Tell us about your experience serving on the Youth Action Board.
The biggest impact I have felt from being a youth action board member is probably an overall change in character and perspective. The youth action board has allowed me to be a part of positive change towards ending the issue of Human Trafficking locally and statewide. Now, when I see different issues globally, nationally, or even locally, I feel the need to try to understand the issues and try to make a difference where I can.
It is a good feeling to take action against human trafficking. I am proud to be a part of one of the first youth programs to battle this issue. Getting my peers involved and educating them about our work is very rewarding.
I decided to join this fight, and I urge you, with all of my heart, to do so as well. This organization has given me more opportunities than I could have imagined. From speaking with Congressman Dan Crenshaw and meeting with anti-trafficking industry leaders. I can confidently say that I have made a difference in the fight.
Getting the opportunity to speak with members of the Office of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Task Force allowed me to learn more…… It was very impactful to be able to brainstorm ideas with the OAG members on how to prevent human trafficking in my community.
Being a member of the Youth Action Board has allowed me to spread awareness to children who do not have someone or something that makes them feel safe. Trafficked children are too often caught in situations where they do not have safe, consistent options or someone to advocate on their behalf.
All of us members of the YAB have learned an extraordinary amount… and being a part of the YAB has been truly life-changing. From the tennis tournament to speaking at high school events, I’ve learned a lot and grown as a person. The YAB has been an avenue to give back and help address a prominent issue in Houston that most people don’t even know about.
Throughout my time as a Youth Action Board member, I have had a positive impact on my community and school campus regarding the issue of Human Trafficking. I have seen the positive impact this work has had on my community and I want to continue to contribute to the positive change.
It is a good feeling to take action against human trafficking. I am proud to be a part of one of the first youth programs to battle this issue. Getting my peers involved and educating them about our work is very rewarding.
After learning about human trafficking through the Youth Action Board, I now feel safer online within my social media platforms, and I have the ability to share information with my peers on how to be aware of your surroundings in life and on social media.
I have learned about the injustices that affect children and I feel that through my work with the Youth Action Board program, I have made a positive change within my community and society. I feel that the issue of human trafficking is not talked about and thus goes unheard of. Children and youth are at risk and never know the signs and dangers of human trafficking.
Being on the youth action board has really educated me further on the subject of human trafficking. I have learned many horrible truths about human trafficking. The amount of people, especially children, that are being trafficked today in the state of Texas is staggering. It is an issue that needs to be discussed more often. Since learning that this is such a growing issue in our society that was so overlooked I feel compelled to fight towards this cause.
As a Youth Action Board member, I hope to continue to build upon the work we have done this year. We have already spread awareness to plenty of people, but next year I imagine we will be able to reach even further. I hope that we are able to help our peers open their eyes to how close in proximity we are to this issue, and together along with our classmates we can initiate a change, and do the best of our abilities to spread awareness. Because what we have achieved this year can only be amplified with the continued support of our community.
Troughout my senior year I have had the privilege of working as a Youth Action Board Member (YAB) for Project Protect Our Children. My involvement as a YAB allowed me to educate my peers on the importance of human trafficking prevention education. Together with other YAB members, we were able to remove false and misleading stereotypes from our classmates’ minds, hold fundraisers during lunch, and participate in the Blue Sand Project.
Furthermore, I have now learned that the most vital step in putting an end to the disgusting business of trafficking is first educating your community on the signs, false stereotypes, and risk factors. I truly believe that “open eyes save lives” and If I was able to assist in opening someone’s eyes to the prominent toll human trafficking takes on our community, or help at least one person get out of a dangerous situation, then I would feel very certain that I am actually doing something to better our home and help put an end to human trafficking.
The Youth Action Board has provided me with an invaluable opportunity to come together with fellow peers who share the same passion as I do in an effort to combat Human Trafficking. Being a part of the Youth Action Board this past year was both a dream fulfilled and an honor bestowed. This is simply because the passion to end Human Trafficking is a common goal that ignites each and every YAB member that is a part of this program. An important basis that everyone on the board understands is that we are not there for ourselves, we are there to start a revolution to combat the pandemic of Human Trafficking.
This past year has helped me grow as a person and as an advocate for survivors because being a part of a group of such selfless and caring people has made me realize that alone, we can make a difference but united, we are stronger.
