Running Into 2024

A Word From Mark

Dear Friends of Radiant Futures,

As we bid farewell to 2023, our team is running ahead into 2024.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The "2023 Human Trafficking Victim Report," created by the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, paints a stark reality. Among the 503 minors located and recovered from 2015 to 2022, a staggering 70% were residents of Orange County.

On Saturday January 27th, we will be hosting our first family friendly Dynamic Duo 5K. Our goal is to spread awareness of human trafficking and the affects it has on Orange County, as well as raise money to help human trafficking survivors.

As we embark on this new year, would you, your family, and friends sign up to run/walk our Dynamic Duo 5K. If you are unable to attend our 5K would you consider adding one or more of the following commitments this year:

Pledge a monthly donation of $5 to support Radiant Futures.
Join us for Love Is on February 7th.
Attend our Cirque du Famille Ball on April 27th.

We hope you will join us in 2024, as we continue to build a safer community free from violence.

Here's to a wonderful year behind us and the exciting adventures that await us in the future. Thank you for being a vital part of our success story.

In appreciation,

Mark

Read More From Mark

Rebecca's Triumph Over Human Trafficking

When Rebecca first arrived at Radiant Futures’ shelter, she was very guarded. She shared very little with her Advocates about her life—only that she was being forced to work as an escort and was eager to leave this exploitative situation. Referred to Radiant Futures by her case manager at Waymakers, she struggled to adapt to life in the shelter.

Rebecca kept to herself, avoiding participation in group activities and frequently missing her counseling appointments. During her meetings with Advocates, she often expressed feelings of being overwhelmed and unmotivated.

Then, something changed…

Rebecca's Journey Continues

Elevate Your Impactful Choices - Explore Fair Trade Finds

How many of us have gone to a restaurant, past a nondescript warehouse, or stayed in a hotel recently?

Chances are whether we knew it or not, we encountered a survivor of human trafficking during one of those moments. There is a misunderstanding surrounding human trafficking in that it only exists in developing countries or impoverished communities; however, it is far more prevalent than most might think. It encapsulates both labor and sexual exploitation surrounding the movement of individuals as an opportunity for profit; all of which can happen hidden in plain sight.

In reality, human trafficking is a violation of human rights, representing a modern-day form of slavery that persists globally. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), an estimated 49.6 million people were living in modern slavery in 2021, of which 27.6 million were in forced labor. With attractions such as Disneyland, sporting and concert venues, and an international airport and harbor it makes Orange County a prevalent hotspot for both labor and sexual exploitation. In a study conducted from 2021 to 2022, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force supported over 420 survivors of human trafficking, with 40% of sexual exploitation and trafficking survivors being under the age of 18. In addition, from 2015 to 2022 over 500 individuals under the age of 18 were identified as being survivors of human trafficking, with 70% being from within Orange County.