Do Something

 Good morning!  A couple of days ago, I was privileged to attend an open house at ICT SOS, an organization born in Wichita over ten years ago.  Jennifer White is the founder and executive director of ICT SOS.  The mission of the non-profit is published on their web site.  It states:  Our Mission is to end human trafficking through prevention and awareness education; advocacy for survivors; and acting as a bridge between direct service professionals and community members who desire to help.

Although Jennifer is not the only one at ICT SOS, she is the hub of the organization…an organization that has grown exponentially in the last dozen or so years.  And that’s what I’d like to share with you in this post.

Jen got the impetus for the goal of ending human trafficking because of her daughters.  The older one was just getting to the age where she could be vulnerable to trafficking.  There were also accounts of human trafficking in the Wichita area.  She saw a need, put two and two together and, wanting to protect not only her daughters, but other children AND adults from the scourge of trafficking, decided to quit complaining and do something about it.  Thus, ICT SOS was formed and initially operated out of her home for a time.

Jennifer’s effort at starting a grass-roots movement gradually grew until she needed to get it out of her home.  She got an area on the second floor of the old Mead’s Corner at Douglas and Emporia, and continued her work.  That office area, although helpful and productive for her, became too small and confining.  The new Child Advocacy Center was by now more than a thought in the minds of those who work with trafficking and exploitation, and was being brought into existence in a remodeled school on South Emporia.  Jen was offered a space there, and moved her org to the Center.

She was able to expand her reach there by bringing on additional help, creating a board of directors to oversee the organization, increasing the organization’s educational and outreach efforts, and providing basic necessities such as the “Fresh Start Bags” that are a hallmark of the organization.  This move to the CAC was, in my opinion, the thing that started an exponential growth in ICT SOS and enabled Jennifer and her partners to “spread their wings,”…try new things, improve on what works, tap into grants and other forms of support, and get the word out on not only human trafficking and exploitation, but also the role of ICT SOS in combatting that evil.

The move to the CAC, while beneficial for a time, eventually became confining because of the lack of adequate physical space for a growing organization.  That mandated looking for yet another space that was more roomy as well as the funding and, eventually, a move.

A space was found on South Emporia that seemed to be a good fit.  There was office space, some space for small gatherings, and a storeroom area where Fresh Start Bags and other items could be safely stored for future use.  Moving into that building, ICT SOS grew even more, and within just a few short years outgrew that space.  In a move that can only be described as divine intervention, the space next door in that same office building opened up for lease.  That space, when taken over by ICT SOS, enlarged the original office area by at least 200 percent and provided many benefits that were much more than conveniences.

One of the major benefits was now the availability of more and better privacy for counseling or conversation with clients and victims.  Storage space was markedly increased as well as office areas for the people who would be working with the various outreach efforts of ICT SOS.  This new office space was the focal point of the open house Monday.

“I can’t do everything; but I can do something.”  This is what keeps Jennifer and her compatriots going in a never-ending battle against human trafficking and exploitation.  Jennifer and her co-workers are a great example of an ordinary person…wife and mom…Jennifer herself will tell you she’s nothing special…she’s a great example of “doing something” rather than just complaining about how bad things are and wondering when someone will finally step up and do something about it.  Jennifer chose to step up, in faith and in spite of her not being well-known, not well-connected, not someone famous.  ICT SOS stands out as an organization on the move, making a difference, and creating change.

I realize that not everyone is cut out for forming a non-profit, getting the groundwork done, pursuing a dream, and realizing the fruit of that work and dream in the way Jennifer White has done, and continues to do.  But everyone can, as she and others say, “do something.”  Instead of expending energy, time, and treasure on complaining and griping, do something productive.  Volunteer.  Donate.  Be a cheer leader.  Support.  Encourage.  Pray.  There is much you can do to make this world a better place for your having been here.

Start today.

 

Blessings.