Napkin Idea 2 Week#9

You. 

·         I am a mother of six and a grandmother of 7. I grew up in the foster care system as a victim of abuse. Moreover, I have a friend who has a daughter who has been missing for over 15 years. Armed with those traits, I make a great advocate for neglected, abused and abandoned (or abducted) children.

·         On behalf of Florida’s most vulnerable children, I am also a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in the State of Florida. In other states, this volunteer position requires a licensed attorney, however, in Florida GAL are volunteers and professional across the state.

·         My goal is to be the voice of the child. A missing and exploited child needs someone to stand for them. Not only does the child the immediate impact of a voice, but they need a positive path to a better future. I hope to leave a legacy of making a different in the life of a child. Never leaving a child missing means that we value each child and will not give up on them.

What are you offering to customers? 

·         The Guardian ad Litem program deals with children within the system, or in homes where they need a voice. Beyond that, we have missing and exploited children who need our help. Moreover, beyond helping those that are missing, we must begin to make our children safer before this horror begins. In addition, most abducted children are taken by family members, so being able to be foresee custodial issues or other family dynamics that might lead to missing children is valuable in educating families, including children, or safety.

·         A non-profit program would that would include:

o   A child’s identification file that could easily be send to authorities the moment there is a realization of a missing child.

§  DNA

§  Current picture and other demographics

§  Fingerprints

§  Identifying marks

o   Prevention and safety training to local communities, schools, and parent associations for parents and other volunteers who would be important in the recovery of a missing child

o   Work with Amber Alert to send current pictures to every smartphone within range of cellphone towers near where the child disappeared. Also, work with them to ensure they have consistent updated pictures so as to be effective if used.

o   Classes in physical defense techniques to keep children safe from attack, abduction, and sexual assault.   

Who are you offering it to? 

·         Everyone. Child safety should be a national priority, and everyone can be a child safety champion. If you don’t have children, you can still be an advocate for the safety of children. Many people live their lives where they do not get involved, while others believe we are our brother’s keeper. People who have a deep sense of community and care for others makes a great partner in this endeavor.

·         Volunteers to help send child safety resources or in the event of an abduction, help find the child.

·         Businesses can donate in the support of materials used to help keep our children safe.

·         Local law enforcement can speak to children about “Stranger Danger” – although because this has not always worked because if the abductor is not a stranger, then the child is caught off guard. However, law enforcement officers need to be promoted as friends of the children so that they know to approach them if necessary.

Why do they care?

·         The notion of a stranger grabbing a child off the streets occupies a prominent place in popular fears.

·         The question to ask is: How much would a parent pay to save a child’s life?

What are your core competencies? 

·         Passion and commitment and the experience of being neglected, abused and abandoned. Moreover, my friend has been searching for her daughter for 15 years. Many good things come from tragedy, and the fear of a child being exploited or abducted is no different. This is not about making my first million, it is about leaving a legacy of taking care of our future.

·         I am fearless and passionate which makes it so I have no problem with approaching anyone to partner with us, nor am I afraid of hurting feeling why explaining to parents the risk of child abduction.

·         I differ from all others because I will have physical defense classes by a certified instructor that helps teach children how to defend themselves, at least long enough to get away.

Personally, I believe all of these elements fit together perfectly. I am about being proactive because once a child is abducted by a stranger, they are usually dead within the first 24-48 hours. By that time, it is too late. My concern is low-income families who have no money, nor anyone to advocate for them. In this situation, I would be asking for businesses to fund the program, or seeking a grant to enter the low income areas of the state and saturate it with the program.

Other programs are about finding children once they are missing, others are about teaching children how to be safe so they aren’t abducted. For me, I would incorporate both – as situations of abuse in the home can lead to other areas of the lack of child safety.

Feedback Memo

1)    I was asked if this would be a non-profit organization. I would imagine this would be, although I had not really thought that through. Of course, a non-profit is similar to a for-profit, just the goals are different. I have no desire to build wealth, but rather garner enough funds to further my cause.

2)    Funding for a non-profit could be anywhere from donations from businesses or the community, an angel investor, or selling items – in this case, the defense classes and other items to raise money for the cause.

3)    I was asked my talents that I did incorporate into this post. While never being abducted, I was raised in severe abusive situations and abandoned on several occasions. I also have a friend who has a missing child and this has made a huge impact on my life, as I had a child that was hit by a car and killed. Although not abducted, I understand the grief that comes with losing a child.

4)    Someone asked about having a radio transmitted card that the child would carry, however, I haven’t investigated this much, as I can’t imagine a child carrying anything (other than their smartphone) with them everywhere. From this question, however, I have been investigating a bracelet that would work the same way, although it wouldn’t be long before perpetrators or abductors would know what to look for. But it was a great idea that made me think of other ways to insure the safety of children.

5)    Everyone who gave me feedback told me it was a great idea which is very humbling. What this demonstrated to me is that people still care about others and would be supportive of the idea.