- Share tools for preventing child sex trafficking using provided presentation and videos.
- Speak to civic clubs, churches, schools and universities, or any group that requests awareness information.
- Host meetings with friends and family to help them understand how to protect juveniles from predators.
- Host a resource table at community events, fairs, clubs, or wherever there is an open door to bring educational materials to an audience.
- Use Shared Hope’s Legislative Action tools to help bring awareness to your state lawmakers.
- Teach your community how to recognize the signs of trafficking and how to effectively respond.
- Respond to requests for a presentation to bring prevention education.
FAQ
What activities does an Ambassador of Hope do?
How do I get started?
Invite friends and family to hear you practice your first presentation using the tools provided. You’ll be in front of a friendly audience, they’ll give you constructive criticism, and they will learn something too!
Where do I find opportunities to share prevention and awareness?
- We call it the ripple effect. Talk to someone – anyone – and share what you’ve learned. Ask if they know someone who would like to gather friends and learn more from you.
- Contact your local civic clubs: Soroptimists International, Rotary, Lions, Chamber of Commerce or other regularly scheduled groups that request monthly speakers.
- Talk with your child’s school counselor, teacher, or health class contact. Ask if you can present in one classroom and show the awareness video “Chosen,” using the opening and closing slides provided with the package.
- Public libraries have community programming and are required to provide educational speakers.
- Talk to a high school student about having you present in their class. Our materials fit into anti-bullying, social issues, healthy relationships and online safety classes.
- Ask your faith leaders if you can speak to the youth group about staying safe online or to the adult education class on how they can protect children from predators.
Are there other Ambassadors near me?
There are over 1,058 (May 2019) active Ambassadors serving in their communities. When you complete your training, we will connect you with any Ambassadors who may be in your area or those who share similar interests. We currently have active Ambassadors in 46 states and Washington, D.C.!
What topics are included in Ambassador of Hope Training?
- What trafficking commonly looks like in the U.S.
- Who are victims and why are they vulnerable
- What are the tactics most commonly used by traffickers
- How can we protect minors from being trafficked
- How do we effectively report what we see
- How to use the “Chosen” tool effectively
- How to mobilize your community
- How to be effective in public presentations (tips on how to handle sticky questions)
- Shared Hope‘s history of more than 20 years of fighting domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST)
What tools do I receive as an Ambassador?
- Tools to present in schools and to youth, such as the “Chosen” video, a true story of two girls who were tricked. Includes presentations and discussion guides with videos
- “Chosen – Gang Edition” video, recognizing the tactics of gang trafficking
- DMST, the basics of how sex trafficking happens in the U.S.
- Internet Safety – for students and for adults, how to stay safe online
- Cultural Grooming – how to educate parents with younger children
- Hotel Management – how to recognize trafficking in your establishment
- Basic introduction to the i:Care presentation – for the healthcare community
- Presenting to the faith community – adapting “Chosen” to church presentations
- Access to an online Ambassador Resource page with continuously updated tools and resources
- Access to the Ambassadors-only Facebook group – an online place to network, exchange ideas and stay informed on breaking news
- A monthly Ambassadors-only newsletter that answers questions, educates and supports the work you do as an Ambassador
- The option to purchase an Ambassador toolkit containing a thumb drive with all the training materials you have just completed for certification. It also has a logo T-shirt and nametag, Renting Lacy book and the “Chosen” tools on USB or DVD. We make these tools available to Ambassadors at our cost.
How can I participate in advocacy?
- Shared Hope has a strong policy team that works tirelessly on state legislation in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as at the federal level, to pass strong laws against DMST and to support survivors. You can support the team by engaging in the Advocacy Action Center.
- We provide online tools, scripts and information to effectively communicate with your lawmakers to coincide with the activity of our staff policy team.
When I have a question and can't find answers on the website, who do I ask?
Reach out to awareness@sharedhope.org for a response from one of our team members. We are here to support you!
Does Shared Hope provide collateral for Ambassadors of Hope events??
Ambassadors of Hope are responsible for all collateral printing costs for events they facilitate. Collateral templates are provided on the flash drive, which is included in the Ambassador of Hope Toolkit. If Shared Hope International asks an Ambassador to participate in an event that has originated from our Speaker Request form, Shared Hope will help provide the collateral for the Ambassador upon request.
Can Ambassadors of Hope join a local Task Force?
Some task forces are organized by the county and include various organizational staff members as representatives. Because Ambassadors of Hope are volunteers, Ambassadors may not represent Shared Hope at a task force. Ambassadors are welcome to attend these meetings as a concerned citizen or volunteer for Shared Hope International, but not as an employee representing Shared Hope as an organization. Please email awareness@sharedhope.org when you are on a state task force and let us know if it is formed by the governor’s or attorney general’s office and what committee you serve on (if applicable).
Can Ambassadors of Hope have business cards with Shared Hope International?
Yes. The Ambassador of Hope toolkit includes a template for an Ambassador of Hope business card. Ambassadors are responsible for printing and cost.
Is there an official electronic signature for sending Ambassador Emails?
An HTML signature block is available on our Resources page. Do not use this signature if soliciting personal funds or fundraising for another organization. Insert your name, email and phone number and cut and paste into your email signature file. Do not change or add to the title provided.
How do I order Shared Hope International brochures or other collateral?
If you wish to order collateral that isn’t included in the toolkit, you can call the office at 360-693-8100 or email resources@sharedhope.org to request what you need.
Available are
- Take Action cards
- Infograph postcards
- Shared Hope fact sheets
- Ambassador recruiting sheets
- Defender fact sheets
- Defender pledge cards
- Faith in Action Kit fact sheets
We ask that you give us 30 days’ notice for all requests for collateral. If you are able to make a donation to cover the costs of postage, it is appreciated.
How do I report my events?
Click here to report online: http://sharedhope.org/event-tracking/
How do I get connected and learn more?
- You will be given access to the Ambassadors-only resource page by creating your own account using the email you provide for your Ambassador file (the automatic password is: changemesoon). It takes 10 business days to activate your access to the site after you are approved as an Ambassador of Hope upon completion of the online training modules.
- You are also invited to join the Ambassadors-only Facebook group linked at the top of this website.
- You will receive monthly newsletters for Ambassadors only. Check your junk or spam folder if you don’t receive yours the first of each month.