You're Not Alone: The Journey from Abduction to Empowerment

Other resources are available to offer information and support forfamilies of missing children. Here are some places you can turn tofor more help: The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has been committed toyouth for more than 30 years. One of the most important goals of OJJDP is to keepchildren safe through such programs as the Internet Crimes Against Children Programand the AMBER Alert Program. To access information about the resources of OJJDP,visit their Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ojjdp. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) was establishedin 1984 to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation; find missing children;and assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and theprofessionals who serve them. To access their resources, visit their Web site atwww.missingkids.com or call NCMEC at 800–THE–LOST (800–843–5678). Every State, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada, has a MissingChildren Clearinghouse, which is designed to provide support and assistance to familiesof missing children. You can find a listing of every State Clearinghouse on the NCMECWeb site at www.missingkids.com. On the left side of the page, click on the tab forresources for parents and guardians. The Association of Missing and Exploited Children’s Organizations is a membershiporganization of nonprofit local agencies in the United States and Canada that provideservices to the families of missing children. They can help with resource referrals as wellas advocacy, poster and flyer development and dissemination, and aid to local lawenforcement. Visit their Web site at www.amecoinc.org or call them at 877–263–2620. Team H.O.P.E. (Help Offering Parents Empowerment) is a parent mentoring and supportprogram for families of missing children. Made up of parent volunteers, Team H.O.P.E.provides mentoring services, counseling, and emotional support for both parents andother family members. Volunteers can be reached at 866–305–HOPE (4673). Take Root provides support and assistance to children who have been abducted by afamily member. Take Root can be reached at 800–ROOT–ORG or by visiting their Website at www.takeroot.org.61