Empowering the Future: Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter’s Annual Youth Symposium

On March 8, 2025, the Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. hosted its highly anticipated Annual Youth Symposium, and it was nothing short of amazing! This year’s event, held in partnership with the Greater Bethel Youth Ministry, brought together enthusiastic participants aged 5-16 for a day packed with learning, empowerment, and fun.

The Symposium kicked off with a series of engaging sessions designed to help the young attendees explore their past, understand their present, and find their path to a healthy future. The youth dove into self-empowerment exercises, wellness workshops, and even tackled escape rooms that emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration. These activities were thoughtfully curated to ensure that each child could gain valuable insights and skills while having a blast.

One of the standout moments of the day was the participation from our incredible Rhoer Club. These young leaders played a pivotal role in guiding and mentoring the younger participants. The Rhoer Club, a youth affiliate group of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., is dedicated to the personal development and academic success of young girls. Their involvement added an extra layer of inspiration and support, showcasing the power of sisterhood and community. The Rhoer Club members led various sessions, including a dance routine that they designed and taught the participants. They also helped in sharing their experiences and encouraging the younger attendees to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.

Throughout the day, the youth were not only educated but also entertained, making the learning experience both enjoyable and impactful. The partnership with the Greater Bethel Youth Ministry once again proved to be invaluable, providing additional support and resources to ensure the event’s success.

The Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. remains committed to fostering a positive and nurturing environment for youth, and this year’s Symposium was a testament to that dedication. By empowering the next generation with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive, the chapter continues to make a lasting difference in the community. This event’s success is a reflection of the Chapter’s unwavering commitment to youth development and community involvement.

Keeping Up with Lambda Theta Sigma

As part of our ongoing commitment to youth development and community involvement, the Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter is dedicated to creating opportunities for growth, learning, and empowerment. We believe that by investing in our youth, we are investing in the future of our community. Our programs and initiatives are designed to provide our surrounding communities with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed.

For those interested in learning more about the Rhoer Club and how to get involved, please click here or contact us directly. The Rhoer Club offers a variety of programs and activities aimed at fostering leadership, academic excellence, and personal growth among young girls ages 12-18. Together, we can continue to inspire and uplift our youth!

Stay tuned for more exciting events and initiatives from the Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter as we continue to make a positive impact in our community. We look forward to your support and participation!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays: Fun-filled Activities for Family Bonding


The holiday season is here. We all are gathered with our loved ones and celebrate the joyous time of Christmas and the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas or participate in other holiday traditions, this blog post is here to spread the jingle and provide some fun activities that you can enjoy with your family for this and next season. Let’s embrace the spirit of togetherness and create lasting memories!

Christmas Movie Marathon:
Gather your loved ones, prepare some cozy blankets, and indulge in a Christmas movie marathon. From timeless classics like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Home Alone” to modern favorites like “Elf” and “The Polar Express,” there’s a movie for everyone. Snuggle up, enjoy some popcorn, and let the holiday spirit fill your hearts.

Decorate the Christmas Tree:
Get the whole family involved in decorating the Christmas tree. Distribute ornaments, ribbons, and lights, and let everyone contribute their personal touch. Share stories about each ornament’s significance and create new memories as you adorn your tree. Add some cheerful music to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Bake and Decorate Holiday Treats:
Unleash your inner bakers and spend quality time in the kitchen as a family. Whip up some delicious holiday treats like gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, or festive cupcakes. Allow each family member to shape and decorate their own creations using icing, colorful sprinkles, and other edible decorations. The joy of baking together and the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked goods will make the experience even more delightful.

Craft Homemade Ornaments:
Engage in a creative activity by making homemade ornaments for the tree. Use simple materials like popsicle sticks, paper, glitter, and glue to construct unique ornaments. This craft activity not only brings out everyone’s creativity but also provides an opportunity to spend quality time together as a family, making memories that can be cherished for years to come.

Play Holiday-themed Games:
Organize a family game night with holiday-themed games. Consider classic games like charades or bingo, with holiday-themed variations. Connect and laugh together as you compete in a friendly and festive atmosphere. You can even create personalized prizes or small tokens to add an extra touch of excitement.

Give Back to the Community:
Christmas is a time for giving, and involving your family in acts of kindness can be a wonderful way to celebrate the season. Explore local charitable organizations or community service opportunities and engage in activities like volunteering at a food bank, making care packages for those in need, or participating in a toy drive. This year, our Rhoer Club participated in Affordable Christmas where we helped families shop for toys and other items to give to their children for the holidays at an “affordable” price! Such acts of generosity help teach the value of empathy and compassion to the younger ones.


As the magical season of Christmas and the holiday celebrations come to an end, let’s remember how much we appreciated the company of our loved ones and the special memories created together. From the warmth of a cozy movie night to the joy of baking and crafting, these activities will foster bonds, ignite laughter, and spread the festive spirit. Whether you celebrate Christmas or embrace other holiday traditions, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We hope this season was filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with your family. Until next time!

Nurturing Your Mind: A Guide to Mental Health Awareness and Well-being

October 10th is World Mental Health Day and today Lambda Theta Sigma (LTS) Graduate Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. would like to share the importance of understanding your mental health and tips to having a healthy well-being.

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act, and influences our daily interactions, productivity, and quality of life. In this blog post, we aim to raise awareness about mental health and provide practical tips for maintaining good mental well-being. Let’s embark on a journey of self-care and learn how to nurture our minds together.

  1. Understand the Importance of Mental Health:
    To begin our journey towards better mental health, it is crucial to recognize the significance of prioritizing our mental well-being. Just as we take care of our physical health, our mental health requires attention and care too. It affects every area of our lives, from personal relationships to professional success.
  2. Recognize and Address Mental Health Challenges:
    One of the most important steps in maintaining good mental health is recognizing when we are facing challenges. It is essential to remember that experiencing mental health struggles is common and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Reach out to trusted friends, family, or a mental health professional if needed.
  3. Practice Self-Care:
    Self-care plays a vital role in promoting good mental health. Engage in activities that bring you joy, relaxation, and fulfillment. Whether it’s spending time in nature, engaging in a hobby, or practicing mindfulness and meditation, carving out time for self-care is essential for mental well-being.
  4. Prioritize Healthy Relationships:
    Nurturing healthy relationships is an integral part of maintaining good mental health. Surround yourself with supportive and positive individuals who lift you up and provide a sense of belonging. Engage in open and honest communication, express your emotions, and seek support when needed.
  5. Establish a Balanced Lifestyle:
    Creating a balanced and healthy lifestyle is key to mental well-being. This includes cultivating healthy habits such as regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and adopting a nutritious diet. Taking care of your physical health directly impacts your mental health and can increase your resilience to stress.
  6. Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques:
    Mindfulness and stress management techniques can help alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety. Try incorporating practices such as deep breathing exercises, journaling, yoga, or meditation into your daily routine. These techniques can improve self-awareness, reduce stress levels, and promote a sense of inner calm.
  7. Seek Help when Needed:
    Remember, seeking help is never a sign of weakness but an act of self-care. If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, don’t hesitate to consult a mental health professional. They can provide guidance, support, and tailor strategies to your specific needs.

Caring for our mental health is a lifelong journey. By prioritizing mental well-being, we can enhance our overall quality of life, build resilience, and navigate life’s challenges with grace. Let us take a collective step towards mental health awareness and encourage others to join this vital conversation. Together, we can create a world that supports and nurtures the minds of every individual.

Remember, you are not alone; reach out, seek help, and always remember to prioritize your mental health. Click here for mental health resources offered in the Pasco/Hernando areas: Programs and Services

Empowering Awareness: Breast Cancer and Comprehensive Prevention Tips


Breast cancer is a prevalent disease affecting millions of individuals worldwide. However, early detection and awareness play a crucial role in improving outcomes. By empowering ourselves and spreading knowledge, we can contribute to the fight against breast cancer.

Understand Breast Cancer
First and foremost, let’s enhance our understanding of breast cancer. Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow and divide uncontrollably. It can affect both women and men, although it is more commonly found in women. Awareness of potential risk factors, such as family history, genetic mutations, age, and hormonal factors, is crucial in understanding one’s susceptibility to the disease.

Perform Regular Self-Checks
Self-checks are a simple yet vital way of detecting any changes in the breasts. By performing monthly breast self-exams, individuals can become more familiar with their breast tissue and easily identify any unusual lumps, changes in size or shape, skin dimpling, or nipple discharge. If you notice any abnormalities, consult a healthcare professional promptly.

Schedule Regular Clinical Examinations
Apart from self-checks, it is essential to have regular clinical breast examinations conducted by a healthcare professional. These examinations can help detect any abnormalities that may not be noticeable during self-checks. Make sure to discuss with your healthcare provider and establish a routine for these examinations based on your age and risk profile.

Understand Mammograms and Screening Guidelines
Mammograms are X-ray images of the breast that can detect breast cancer at an early stage, even before any physical symptoms appear. Familiarize yourself with recommended screening guidelines, such as when to start and how often to have mammograms, based on your age and individual risk factors. Regular screening is crucial for early detection and improved treatment outcomes.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
While no lifestyle change can guarantee breast cancer prevention, certain factors can reduce the risk. Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity. Limit alcohol consumption, as excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Additionally, avoid long-term hormonal therapy unless medically necessary and quit smoking if you are a smoker.

Stay Informed and Spread Awareness
Continuing to educate ourselves and spreading awareness about breast cancer is pivotal in fighting the disease. Share informative resources, participate in breast cancer awareness campaigns, and encourage your friends and family to prioritize breast health. By collectively raising awareness, we can empower more individuals to take charge of their health and promote early detection.

Breast cancer awareness and early detection are key to improving outcomes in the fight against this disease. By performing regular self-checks, scheduling clinical examinations, understanding mammograms, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and spreading awareness, we can contribute to reducing the impact of breast cancer. Together, let’s support those affected by breast cancer, empower each other, and strive towards a future where breast cancer is detected early and treated effectively. Remember, knowledge and awareness are powerful tools in the fight against breast cancer.

To learn more about breast cancer and prevention, visit https://www.knowyourlemons.org/ they have a great app that can be useful as well!

Other resources:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about.html?_gl=15yrd0f_gcl_au*MTY1NzEyMDA5Ny4xNjk2MjAyMjY1

komen.org

    VOTING 2024: What Has Changed and What You Should Know…

    Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

    What Has Changed

    Regarding exercising your right to vote, several revisions to Florida’s voting laws can directly impact your voting rights in coming elections. Key legislation has the potential to spoil your voting plans. Most specifically, Senate Bill 90 (often referred to as S.B. 90) became law after the Governor’s approval on May 06, 2021. Please read this blog post as an aid to your voting plans. Leon County, for example, has outlined some crucial changes to the voting laws and their corresponding action strategy. I have structured a brief outline of helpful information so that casting your vote will be a graceful ballot ballet.

    Photo by Polina Kovaleva on Pexels.com

    Voter Registration

    One thing is sure: voter registration reveals one lucid characteristic about voters. They adapt, change, and evolve in response to life’s stimuli. People change residential addresses, get married, and adopt new surnames (last names). They may even experience or decide on a specific political party affiliation. No big deal – we have evolved to an age where we can call or go online to exercise quick, seamless, and convenient voter registration and registration updates. As a caveat to this adaptation, change and evolution means we embrace new challenges and new possibilities for error. IDs may include outdated, misspelled, or misprinted information. With these things in mind, don’t delay forming plans to make necessary registration changes. Updating your voter registration over the phone or by way of the internet will require a Florida driver’s license, state ID card, or the last four digits of your social security number; moreover, if you are planning on making updates to your name or party affiliation, you will be required to use a paper voter registration application or RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov.

    Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

    Vote-By-Mail Ballots

    The timeframe for a voter to remain on the state’s vote-by-mail list (which allows a voter to receive a mail ballot automatically) has shortened. If you plan to vote with a mailed ballot, you can only request them through the next general election. When requesting a vote-by-mail ballot, you will need your Florida Driver’s License, state ID card, or the last four digits of your social security number.  Your written request must include your signature, and there are no alternatives if a voter does not have these identifications. We’ve also noted that the new law prohibits local and state officials from sending a mail ballot to voters who have yet to request one.

    Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

    Vote-By-Mail Ballot Drop Off/Return

    Are you looking to drop your ballot off? New specifications govern where, when, and how counties can offer drop boxes to you. S.B. 90 requires drop box locations solely at permanent county voting offices or an early voting location accessible only during early voting hours. Regardless of location, such boxes are to be staffed by a county employee — which is likely to restrict the hours of availability further. You can only bring two ballots at once to the Elections office (this limit does not include your ballot and the ballots of family members). Anyone who possesses two or more ballots can face legal implications. 

    Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

    Now that I Have Planned How I Will Vote, Where and When Can I Vote?

    Pasco County

    According to the Pasco County website, you can vote early, by mail, or at your local precinct. With voting early, the website states the following: 

    • You must vote in person at specified locations throughout Pasco County, 
    • For specific dates and times, see the Early Voting Schedule
    • Remember to bring a picture and signature identification such as your Florida Driver’s License or identification card. 

    If voting by mail, Pasco County suggests a vote-by-mail ballot and to request one you can do the following:

    • Call the elections’ office at (800) 851-8754 or use the online request form at a minimum of at least ten days before the election for your ballot; in addition,
    • Consider that you have enough time to receive and return your mail-in ballot, 
    • You will need the voter’s date of birth, address, last four digits of SSN, or the voter’s Florida Driver’s License or Florida ID number. 

    When voting at your local precinct, polls open from 7 AM until 7 PM on Election Day. You will need your photo and signature ID.

    Pasco County also wants you to be aware that you cannot vote in a precinct in which you do not reside; it is a felony. If you have experienced an address change, Pasco County says, “Please Contact the Supervisor of Elections’ office at the number above for your address to be updated or complete an online voter registration application.” 

    Confirm Pasco County’s election dates now to avoid surprises and delays. Pasco County utilizes Bookclosing Dates, the statewide deadlines for voter registration, and political party designation changes if you are already registered.  

    Hernando County

    The Hernando County website lists four voting categories which include those who vote-by-mail, vote early, vote-in-person, and designations for military and oversees voters. When voting by mail, the county wants you to be prepared to consider the following:

    • Registered voters of Hernando County may request a vote-by-mail ballot from Hernando County Supervisor of Elections, online, by mail, phone or fax,
    • Only the voter or an immediate family member can request the ballot, 
    • You will need the voter’s name, residential address, date of birth, voter’s signature, voter’s driver’s license number or last four of their social security number, and the address the ballot will be mailed to, if different from the residential address.
    • Additionally, if an immediate family memer is requesting the ballot, they will need to provide the following: the address of the family member making the request, the relationship the requesting party has to the voter, driver’s license number or last four digits of the SSN of the requesting party, signature of the family member making the request (written requests only).
    • If necessary, a voter can request in writing for someone to pick up a vote-by-mail ballot at the Supervisor of Elections office, but the designee must pick up the ballot within a maximum of five days prior to election day; the designee will be required to complete an affidavit found here Affidavit to Pick Up a Vote-By-Mail Ballot for Voter and a designee can only pick up two ballots per election unless he/she is a  family member of the voter, but there is no limit to the number of ballots he/she may return.

    When voting early, Hernando County notes the following:

    • The early voting period begins 15 days prior to election and ends 3 days prior to that election. Please be mindful of the elections dates, locations, and signature/photo ID requirements which can be found HERE.

    As it pertains to voting in person in Hernando county, voters must go to their assigned polling location between 7 AM to 7 PM. Follow this link to confirm election dates, to verify assigned polling places, and ID requirements.

    Hernando county also notes that provisions are available for military personnel to exercise their voting rights. Their website states the following:

    “Military personnel and overseas voters may apply for voter registration and/or request vote by mail ballots with a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA).Military personnel may also obtain the FPCA from the Unit Voting Officer. (Spouses and dependents are considered to be of the same category of Vote-by-Mail voter as military members and generally should follow the same rules.)”

    And lastly, many things can distract you from exercising your right to vote. Don’t allow these things to get in the way. Make a plan, and then make a backup to the original plan if those original plans derail. Notate what you will need in advance, and mark your calendar with important deadlines; whatever your plans, be intentional about your voice by being intentional about your vote.

    Back to School Bash!

    LTS kicked off the school year with our Operation Big Book Bag National initiative by collaborating with Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church for their Back to School Bash!

    Members of the Lambda Theta Sigma chapter sorting out the shoes that were donated.

    Book bags were filled with school supplies, shoes were separated by size and lunches were packed to make this event a success. Sorors and members of Allen Temple AME church sprung into action as the community began to make their way inside for the event at 1pm. After signing in, each family was able to grab a book bag, a pair of shoes, and a packed lunch for their kids.

    Sigma Gamma Rho’s Operation Big Book Bag Initiative holds immense significance not just within our immediate community, but also in the broader context of education-related issues. By providing school supplies and shoes to children in need, we are addressing an essential aspect of educational equity. Access to proper resources plays a crucial role in a child’s ability to thrive academically. Unfortunately, many children from underprivileged backgrounds lack the basic tools necessary to fully engage in their education. By stepping in and providing these essential items, we are removing barriers that hinder their learning. Our initiative not only helps children feel prepared and motivated for school, but it also promotes a sense of pride and empowerment within the community. We firmly believe that every child deserves an equal chance at success, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Operation Big Book Bag Initiative strives to make that a reality one child at a time.

    Photo of the back packs that were given with school supplies added in each one.

    We also had a few special guests in attendance which included Hillsborough County School Board Interim Superintendent, Van Ayres and board members Karen Perez, Henry “Shake” Washington, Nadia Combs and Owen Young. It was such a pleasure serving our community and meeting each of the families. Lambda Theta Sigma (LTS) prides themselves on making the best possible impact and this was a great start towards that goal.

    Back to school bash held in Tampa with Allen Temple AME and Lambda Theta Sigma Graduate Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
    Pictured from left to right: Janette Spencer-Davis, Soror Blount, Soror Thomas, HCPS Board Member, Henry “Shake” Washington, Owen Young, HCPS Interim Superintendent Van Ayres
    From left to right: Madame Basileus, Soror Blount, School board district 6 Karen Perez, Soror Thomas and Owen Young, Chief of Student, Family, and Community Engagement.

    We want to thank everyone who attended this event and look forward to serving our community more as the year continues.

    Members of Allen Temple AME Church along with Lambda Theta Sigma Chapter pictured here after the event.

    We had an amazing time and were happy to be of service with Allen Temple AME Church. Wishing all educators and students an amazing new school year and we charge everyone to make this new year GREATER. Make sure you follow our blog to keep up with our community efforts and look forward to continuing to make a greater impact.

    Until next time!

    Ending the Year Strong Through Reflection and Planning

    At the end of every Sorority year, our chapter puts together an all day retreat where we get a chance to fellowship, reflect and plan for the upcoming year. Reports are given, budgets are proposed, events are voted on and of course, food is consumed and this year was no different.

    We did, however, add a new part of our retreat which were the LTS End of Year Chapter Awards! A few weeks prior to the retreat, our Anti-Basileus and Membership chair, Soror Tanisha Woolfolk asked each chapter member to select whom they thought fit the best for each award. The awards given were the following: the Sisterhood Award, the Sigma Torch Award, the Ruby Award, the Rhoyalty Award, the Golden Rose Award, the Neo of the Year, and Soror of the Year.

    Pictured are this year’s LTS end-of-the-year chapter awards winners.

    It was such an amazing day with our Sorors and we are excited for what the new Sorority year will bring. Until next time!

    $1,000 Scholarship Awarded

    2023 Awards Ceremony at Tampa Bay Technical High School in Tampa, Florida.

    Each year, the Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated offers a $1,000 Golden Scholars Award. This award is given to an outstanding senior who attends high school in the Pasco/Hernando, Pinellas, or Hillsborough counties, has a 3.5 GPA or higher, and has been accepted to a four-year college. Each applicant is asked to thoroughly explain how they plan to contribute to the black population in the US and in Africa.

    Soror Cindy Blount and Soror Dikeesha Govan Brown announcing this year’s scholarship winner.

    This year’s recipient has a 6.1 GPA and has been accepted to Howard University, Clark Atlanta University, Spellman, North Carolina A&T, and FAMU!

    2023 Golden Scholars Award recipient Raemarie Parks-Royal pictured with principal Ernestine Woody-Bethune, Soror Dikeesha Govan Brown, and Soror Cindy Blount.

    On Tuesday, April 25th, Soror Blount, our Basileus, and Soror Govan Brown, our Grammateus, announced that Miss Raemarie Parks-Royal was our 2023 Golden Scholars Award recipient. Raemarie Parks-Royal attends Tampa Bay Technical High School and has a 6.1 GPA. She is the proud daughter of Ms. Shonda Royal. Raemarie plans to attend Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University to study veterinary medicine. She believes “with determination and grit, anything is achievable”.

    Congratulations Raemarie!

    Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae Chapter hosts National Initiative Youth Symposium

    It was a beautiful day as young girls and boys arrived with their family members to participate in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s annual Youth Symposium: Rhoad to Wellness. This year, our chapter put together this amazing event geared towards youth ages 5+ who came together to practice yoga and exercises, learned how to meditate quietly, learned about self-love and what that means, created a healthy snack together to share later in the event, and finished the day off with award certificates and prizes.

    Held simultaneously, on the second Saturday of March by Alumnae Chapters across the nation, our Youth Symposium serves as a unifying effort during Sigma Week. The Symposium (supported by undergraduate chapters and affiliates) is designed to highlight some of the prevalent concerns that negatively impact our youth (drugs, teen violence, abuse, low self-esteem, suicide, teen pregnancy, human trafficking, etc.). This year, the Lambda Theta Sigma Alumnae chapter decided to focus on having a healthy living both physically and mentally.

    After registration, our Basileius (Chapter President) Soror Blount, welcomed our participants and their families and thanked Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church for allowing us to use their facilities to host this great event. After introductions of the stations and leaders of the day, we broke the kids off into groups based on their ages. During the event, Sorors were tasked with a theme of the event and put together an activity for the kids to enjoy and learn from. During the exercise actitivy, the kids worked hard in learning different yoga poses and exercises i.e. lunges, burpees, push-ups etc. The next activity was learning about self-love and what that means to each of them. They learned the importance of loving themselves just the way they are and practiced words of affirmations in the mirrors supplied to them. The final activity consisted of putting a fruit kabob together as a healthy snack that could be used as a healthy alternative for something like chips or candy. When the event came to a close, the kids ate their lunches and received their certificates for participation and got a chance to win prizes!

    We want to thank everyone who came out, we hope you had just as much fun as our chapter did putting it together. It’s always a good time when we come together and serve our community. Another thank you to our two junior volunteer’s, our Soror’s, and Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

    To find out when our next event will be as well as scholarship opportunities, please visit our website at www.ltssgrhos.org or sign up for our email list: join here.

    Until next time!

    Let’s Talk About It: Human Trafficking 101

    Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

    Human trafficking remains a part of our daily lives, and in its most horrid form. It is prevalent as an industry that exploits individuals and organizations in multiple ways: through sex, labor, or other types of forced servitude.

    Let’s start off by asking, what makes you uncomfortable about this topic? What are some things your worry about? Some will say knowing the fact that it could be anyone at anytime involved and that you could possibly be a target. Others say that as a single person out and about, having to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Needing to share your location with your family and close friends at all times so someone is aware of your whereabouts “just in case”. The worry list goes on…

    During tonight’s event, we talked about what human trafficking is, how you can talk with your children about it and how you can help.

    What is human trafficking? According to the department of homeland security “Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.” Human trafficking can occur anywhere. In 2020, Global Report, it was discovered that “in 2018, about 50,000 human trafficking victims were detected and reported by 148 countries” (unodc.org). In 2020, the proportion of victims recruited by a family or caregiver increased significantly from 21% to 31%. It is also stated that one in five victims of human trafficking were believed to be children, exploited for child labor, child pornography and begging.

    The top 4 things that traffickers look for are:

    • Psychological or emotional vulnerability
    • Poverty
    • Gender Inequality
    • Addictions

    Common places or ways one might get abducted are outdoor locations, heavily crowded areas and through the use of technology. A few ways to identify human trafficking are when multiple people are in a small or tight space, the inability to speak to an individual alone, signs of physical and more.

    One of the top tips that we shared with participants were how and when to talk to your kids about human trafficking. Here are some tips that were shared:

    • Create a safe space open to communication
    • Ask a mixture of open and closed ended questions
    • Monitor their use of technology
    • Have the conversation as early as nine up to 16+ years of age

    Some ways that you can help is by creating safety plans, asking questions if you suspect human trafficking and research your area and become informed. We have a list of great resources that you can use to get more details on human trafficking and more.

    To access the clickable links, view the slides here and go to slide 22: Let’s Talk About It: Human Trafficking 101 Slides

    We hope that you never need to use this information because no one you ever meets is involved in human trafficking. However, it can be a good idea to take the time to learn about this phenomenon and what you can do to help prevent it from occurring. Knowledge can help combat human trafficking, and if anyone does approach you about anything illegitimate, we advise that you report your suspicions to the authorities or organizations that you have learned about during your research. And if there’s a certain topic about human trafficking that you’re interested in learning more about, tell us; we’d like to hear from our readers.

    Until next time…