Venture Concept #1 

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Opportunity

The words “missing child” call to mind tragic and frightening kidnappings reported in the national news. According to the FBI, between 2014 and 2015 over 900,000 children were documented as missing. The likelihood of finding abducted children has sharply increased in recent years due to technological advances in the way searches are conducted and a greater awareness that fast action saves lives. More than 99 percent of the reported missing children in America in recent years come home alive. However, the recovery rate for the alarming segment of children abducted by strangers is less heartening. Statistically, on average 57 percent of them come home alive and 40 percent are killed; the rest remain as open cases. When the kidnappings are the work of strangers, the snatcher has typically targeted the child for sex and has studied the child’s habits in order to increase chances of a successful abduction. We know that pictures are the most effective way to get a child home safely, and so, pictures are everywhere. Every known idea is employed to help pictures of missing children get out to the public as soon as possible. The Amber Alert, a public notification system that focuses on highways has reported having safely brought home over 800 missing children; Walmart postings about 234 and about 200 from direct mailing. 

While we are deeply grateful when even one child is rescued and returned home safely, these numbers represent a small portion of the millions of children that are missing. Of all the children kidnapped, about 25 percent are abducted by strangers, almost all are abducted by men, and over 2/3 involve female children. Kids are rarely abducted from school grounds and most are in their teens. Granted, new technology and social media are increasingly used by law enforcement to instantaneously share news of an abduction, bringing new hope for those still searching for the thousands of missing children still unaccounted for, there is still much work to be done. No family wants to face the horror of a child who has gone missing, and in such cases, they deserve to know that all resources are being deployed to ensure a quick and safe return.

Innovation

74 percent of children kidnapped and later found, are murdered within the first 3 hours of being taken. People think “it can’t happen to me,” but it can; no one is immune from the tragedy of a child abduction. There are reactive ways to help find children, however, what we need most is the proactive raising of public awareness on how to protect children and prevent abductions. Additionally, while the Amber Alert is a successful national alert system, there are gaps that must be filled to become even more effectual in rescuing missing children. This is where my innovation becomes a partner in the already growing network of child recovery organizations that will increase the likelihood that abducted children will be recovered swiftly and safely. Because information about the missing child is vital, many cases might be solved more easily if key pieces of information about their kids is provided immediately, these strategies could be employed:

·         A child’s identification file that could easily be sent to authorities immediately

·         DNA Swabs

·         Current picture (taken every 6 months) and other demographics

·         Fingerprints

·         Identifying marks

·          Prevention and safety training to local communities, schools, and parent associations for parents and other volunteers

·         Work with Amber Alert to send current pictures to every smartphone within range of cellphone towers near where the child disappeared.

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

There is no set dollar amount for this venture, as it depends on many variables. However, I would offer a partnership program for those who would like to partner with my organization. My revenue drivers would be donations from individuals and corporations, corporate sponsorships that might include an employee match, in-kind donations such as office equipment and supplies, service donations that might include free event space or photocopying, an adopt-a-kid event, and varying levels of sponsorship ranging from Bronze at $500 – Platinum with a donation of $4000. Moreover, I will be seeking grants to ensure ID kits are distributed to school age children annually.

Venture Concept

FSU and UF are fierce football rivals, however, during the 2006-2007 football season, FSU legendary head coach Bobby Bowden and the National Championship Florida Gator’s Coach Urban Myers, joined forces to distribute to 2.6 million school age children similar kits in what was the largest state-wide ID kit distribution in history. While kudos belong to all involved, there must be education and follow up for effective management of information. 

From the tragic experience of losing a child to having a friend with a missing daughter of 15 years, my passion would increase my chances of having people clamoring to be a part of my program. My goal is to match the above number each year as an ongoing commitment to keeping children safe. I would seek to have my DNA/fingerprinting kits approved by the FBI, and in doing so would have the vital information stored at home in one area, to be provided to law enforcement and other search teams in the event of an abduction. I would depend on volunteers along with a few dedicated administrative personnel.

Minor Elements

 My greatest resource is my lifelong experience – first as a foster child, then as a parent of a dead child, then as a guardian ad litem, I have more passion for children and their safety than most other people I know.  

      

      I have not been able to come up with the “next best thing” but am hoping that this venture will double or triple the rescue and safe return of missing children.

3.      

      F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Show me a hero and I will show you a tragedy.” I would like to leave a legacy of heroes around the world, all seeking to help save our children.