Contact us for classes for your church group, organization or event. Please use our Training and Speaker Request Form for more details, which is located below.
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The exploitation of minors is an alarming reality in the United States, and it comes in many forms: Bullying has evolved into an issue with often severe consequences. One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by age eighteen. And the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the U.S. is part of a thirty-two billion dollar criminal industry.
Perpetrators of crimes of sexual exploitation view schools as a prime location to recruit new pimps and lure new victims. These youth often have no idea what is really happening to them until it is too late. The purpose of The Empower Youth Program, therefore, is to equip students with strategies to stay safe from exploitation.
IeMpowered's 2 hours evidence-informed, interactive youth program designed to equip youth (ages 12-18) to avoid the tricks, traps and lures of human traffickers, utilizing survivor stories and age-appropriate videos. Its ideal format is a classroom-like setting (not an assembly format) that allows for optimal facilitator-youth discussion. The information provided is current, relevant, and captures the attention of the youth while opening their eyes to a dark and dangerous part of society. Youth learn practical ways to stay safe, such as alternatives to running away and appropriate internet and real world behaviors. It also empowers youth to be a voice for someone who may be trafficked by teaching them to recognize the red flags of a trafficking victim. Youth participate in a post-program activity designed for cognitive and emotional processing from learning about this tough subject matter.
The exploitation of minors is an alarming reality in the United States, and it comes in many forms: Bullying has evolved into an issue with often severe consequences. One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by age eighteen. And the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the U.S. is part of a thirty-two billion dollar criminal industry.
Perpetrators of crimes of sexual exploitation view schools as a prime location to recruit new pimps and lure new victims. These youth often have no idea what is really happening to them until it is too late. The purpose of The Empower Youth Program, therefore, is to equip students with strategies to stay safe from exploitation
(Each Topic is a 50 minute lesson)
The REACH program's art classes are for students in 2nd grade and up. We hope that art will encourage students to seize the opportunity to be empowered with empathy and strategies for staying safe. The program consists of lessons on the topics of good citizenship, gratitude, problem-solving, self-worth and self -love. The lessons will feature strategies on staying safe and a digital or multi-media art lesson.
There are three key objectives:
1. To empower students with strategies to navigate the vulnerabilities in their lives to stay safe and avoid exploitation.
2. To nurture the development of empathy so that they are empowered to help their peers – and not hurt them.
3. To encourage students to use art as a form of expression.
If you do not see a training program that is right for your group or business then contact us by clicking on the request a training linking and let us customize a plan for you.
ARK2Freedom is consistently teaching and training teachers, students and other organizations. Has ARK2Freedom taught a lesson at your school or trained staff at your organization? If so, click on the link to tell us about your experience.
Thank you,
The ARK2Freedom Staff
"Dear ARK2Freedom,
Alberta Barrett is an excellent teacher. She has come to my classroom several times. She has taught my students about the importance of working together to make a difference, being good citizens, and positive and negative behavior. The students are always so excited to see her and so am I."
Sincerely Georgia Johnson
4th Grade Teacher, Killeen
"Mrs. Barrett, I want to say thank you for the time you took out of your day. I was only with you for a little bit, but I know you are filled with kindness. You are a pleasure to be around. The time you took out of your day to make our day better is amazing."
4th Grade Student, Killeen
"Thank you, Mrs. Barrett for coming to my class and talking to my students about internet safety, and sexting laws. My students learned so much."
Cynthia Tolbert
8th Grade Teacher, Killeen
"I am grateful you visited our school and shared the heartwarming presentation you prepared for us. I am happy to see individuals like you dedicated to raising awareness to stop and prevent bullying in all school districts. You are a real hero, so please continue with this important mission to stop bullying. I am pleased to share that our school district is aware of the issue of bullying and has taken steps to address it. With individuals like you and our school administration, who are advocating to stop bullying, we will have a much better future."
8th Grade Student, Salado
"Alberta was a wonderful presenter. The entire time she spoke the kids were engaged and extremely eager to share their experiences with her and to listen to her as well. She taught the students how to have confidence in themselves and not to be "monsters" to other but to be heroes. Some of my students really grasped to that concept and even still try to wear their hero masks during our learning day. I have been eagerly searching my calendar to try to schedule Alberta to come again and teach the students. Thank you so much!"
4th Grade Teacher, Killeen
"Bringing real life examples and content to students. I think it's great to hear from someone outside of the school. Middle schoolers get interested in the legal side of things so I'm glad you cover that a little bit. The more real-life examples, the better they will connect with middle schoolers."
8th Grade Teacher, Killeen