ICT S. O. S.

ICT SOS is a grassroots organization founded to serve as a liaison between community members and professional organizations that serve victims and survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation. ICT SOS works to provide what our direct services providers need to make their jobs as smooth and seamless as possible. Our vision is to provide volunteers with tools to better serve our organization and our partners. Volunteers are encouraged to connect with agencies such as Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Sedgwick County (CASA), the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County, P3 Mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center (WASAC), the OZ Homeless Youth Drop-In, and others that serve victims. The volunteers will also work in the prevention of trafficking with the knowledge received through the program.

ICT SOS has several programs put in place to make our partner agencies' jobs run more smoothly and educate volunteers and students on human trafficking: Fresh Start Bags, Clean Start Baskets, Tell Your Friends, and Next Step. Fresh Start provides material necessities and community resources that many of us may take for granted, such as a duffel bag full of new clothes and toiletries to a recently rescued youth. ICT SOS currently distributes Fresh Start bags to the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, Youthville Secure Care, local hospitals and mentoring organizations and Wichita Children’s Home Staff Secure Unit. “Tell Your Friends” is a four-module educational program from Fair Girls administered to youth in junior high and high school. The is an interactive, age-appropriate educational tool that defines what human trafficking is, identifies human trafficking risk factors that at-risk youth face, addresses healthy and unhealthy relationships, links intimate partner violence and human trafficking, and provides a citywide resource guide for youth services. The program empowers youth to become peer educators who will “tell their friends,” families, and communities how to do the same. Anonymous questions at the end of each session allow the facilitators to help students to know what resources are available in our community. ICT SOS provides volunteer and professional training through "Next Step Volunteer Training,” a six-session program that trains concerned citizens and turns them into active volunteers. This volunteer training program is intended to equip community members to take a more active role with our direct service partner agencies and make a difference in the community. Applicants apply for the training and the ICT SOS Education Coordinator selects the participants.