April 18th, the Association of Missing and Exploited Children
Organization (AMECO) launched the “Make Noise” campaign.
Introducing the speakers who would be addressing the
combined audience of law enforcement and non-government organization
representatives, Wendy Jolley-Kabi described a conversation with Patty
Wetterling, mother of Jacob Wetterling (missing since 1989). Wetterling reportedly requested that there
not be a “moment of silence” for the missing, but instead that we make noise
for the missing and exploited children.
As a charter member of AMECO, Missing Children Minnesota
wholeheartedly agrees that we need to make some noise. The time has come to put
the issue of missing and exploited children before the public, and empower our
communities to end these problems. There has been some cynicism
against “slacktivism” in the social media lately. Somehow, we seem to have gotten the idea that
“awareness” cannot solve anything.
With the issue of missing and exploited children, nothing
could be further from the truth. In a
time where organizations that serve children and families with prevention
education and search support remain under-funded, “awareness”
is the life-blood of action. We need the engagement of our communities to do our work. We need to be invited to present our programs. We need parents to call us when they have questions about how to protect their children.
Parents need to be aware of their resources for prevention
and for searching in their time of need.
Children need to be empowered by awareness to keep themselves safe. Potential abductors and exploiters of children
need to be aware that they will be found and prosecuted if they harm children.
Awareness isn’t the end of the line of what we can do, but
it is the only solid beginning. This is
not a problem that can be solved with ignorance and apathy. So, now, what can you do to bring safety to the kids in your life?
1)
Talk to your child’s school, your church youth
leaders, your scout troop leaders, your day-care provider about bringing
Missing Children Minnesota’s prevention education programs to the children that
they serve. Our programs are
age-appropriate, non-threatening, simple, comprehensive, clear and empowering
for kids and parents alike.
2)
Contribute to Missing Children Minnesota. The great thing about contributing to an
organization like MCM, is that it is a literal truth that “every little bit
helps”. As a very small organization with a five-figure budget, we literally
notice every $5 donation, and we spend it very carefully. We don’t just
appreciate your $5 donation, we make it mighty!
No group is turned away for
inability to pay. Over half of the
prevention programs we do are offered at free or reduced rates, and the full
rate is merely “at cost”. The maximum
fee is the cost of presenting the program: usually averaging out to about $2/ child.
3)
Open the lines of communication: "Like” our page on Facebook, or follow us on
twitter. We frequently bring information
about missing kids, and about current issues that will help you make a noise
for kids as well. If you are a member of an underserved community, or have special skills or insights that will help us engage with your community, reach out and let us know what we can do to partner with you.
4)
Sign up to get electronic Amber Alerts in your
area at https://www.wirelessamberalerts.org/index.jsp
5)
Sometime between now and May 25th
(National Missing Children Day), plan to “Take 25” with your kids. Take twenty-five minutes (or more) to talk to
them about personal safety. If you need
a hand with this, you can take a look at our blog, or our facebook page for
ideas on age-appropriate conversation starters, safety tips, and more.
