What We Do

Flight Attendant Initiative, “Operation Blue Lightning”

In 2008, Innocents at Risk launched its Flight Attendant Initiative, providing approximately one-third of American Airlines’ 19,000 flight attendants with vital information on human trafficking compiled into a brochure we created titled, “Protecting Women and Children from Human Trafficking.” The brochure alerts flight attendants to the signs of trafficking and gives them the National Hotline Number 1-888-373-7888 to call to report critical information, and possibly save a life. As a result, hundreds of flight attendants have become involved with the Flight Attendant Initiative.

Innocents at Risk’s Flight Attendant Initiative was recently named “Operation Blue Lightning” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and in addition to DHS, the program is supported by the U.S. State Department, ICE, Customs Border Control and countless NGOs in the United States and around the globe.

“Blue Lightning” has been extremely successful, and we are expanding the program for other airlines. Flight Attendants are in a unique position to call the national Hotline Number immediately when they notice suspicious activity and possible victims. They are the First Line of Defense!

Orphanage Mission

In October 2009, Innocents at Risk identified two orphanages in the Dominican Republic, Ninos de Cristo and Jackie’s House, for Airline Ambassadors to co-partner with Innocents at Risk. Ninos de Criso, located in La Romana, houses, protects, loves and cares for children who are abandoned, orphaned and abused. It acts as a permanent home for survivors of child trafficking. Currently Ninos de Cristo shelters 140 children, of which 80% are female and who range in age from 1 to 18.

Jackie’s House, located in Santo Domingo, also provides shelter and care for approximately 35 children, most of whom are physically challenged. These children are victims of all kinds of abuse, and often have parents who have been imprisoned. Without the protection of Jackie’s House, most of these children would probably be victims of sex trafficking.

Innocents at Risk, along with Airline Ambassadors, will be fulfilling our third mission to the Dominican Republic June 4-7. A group of 35 individuals, mostly part of the Mandell School in New York, will fly to Santo Domingo and spend two days each at Ninos de Cristo and Jackie’s House. We will sponsor lunches for the children for two days, build a hydroponic garden, organize song singing events, purchase groceries, and provide in-kind aid (such as feminine hygiene products) and health aid (such as medicine and vitamins), as well as monetary aid. We will also bring back three children who will stay with families for 2 weeks. As part of their stay, they will be helping out at the Mandell summer camp for a week.

The organization faces many monthly operational expenses, which are only partially covered by a private donor, and therefore at times, the staff and children find themselves in difficulty. Innocents at Risk’s twice yearly trips have been a tremendous help, but there is still so much to do and we cannot do it alone. To donate to the Dominican Republic projects, please refer to our homepage (www.innocentsatrisk.org) or to the American Airline Ambassadors’ website (airlineamb.org). Donations of any amount are appreciated and vital to these children, and they are 100% tax deductible. Thank you for your on-going support of us! Together we can stop the travesty that is human trafficking.

For further information, please contact us at 202-625-4338

or dsigmund@innocentsatrisk.org.

Awareness Video

In 2007, Innocents at Risk produced a 10-minute public service video to support the awareness campaign about human trafficking. The video continues to be distributed to embassies, conferences and schools in the U.S. and around the world in order to further our goals of education and awareness. This original video is intended as a wake-up call to those who are unaware of this threat and to the millions of innocents who are most vulnerable.

Awareness Merchandise

Innocents at Risk strives to bring you products that do the maximum amount of good. That’s why 100% of our proceeds go to fight child trafficking and to raise awareness about this illicit industry. With each item purchased, shoppers generate funds that provide training materials for flight attendants, so that these people on the front line can call the hotline number and prevent child trafficking. We have a wide array of items to show your support, and hope to bring even more items to you soon.

Speaking Engagements

Deborah Sigmund is a full-time advocate for the fight against Human Trafficking, speaking to dozens of schools, civic groups, churches, and local organizations throughout the United States. Through these organizations, Innocents at Risk is establishing branches for awareness and training across the country.These are just some of the organizations who have heard a presentation by Innocents at Risk:

The Capital Speakers Club
The Charter 100 Club
The Women’s Legislature Leadership Forum
Soroptimist International of the Americas
The Meridian House
The Women’s Club of Louisville, Kentucky
T.H.I.S. Organization

To schedule a presentation, please contact us at 202-625-4338 or dsigmund@innocentsatrisk.org.


Blue Lightning About Us Events Human Trafficking News & Media Get Involved
About Us Our Mission What We Do Awards Our Founder Board of Directors Contact Us Website produced by Mike Carson Creative	What We Do Flight Attendant Initiative, “Operation Blue Lightning” In 2008, Innocents at Risk launched its Flight Attendant Initiative, providing approximately one-third of American Airlines’ 19,000 flight attendants with vital information on human trafficking compiled into a brochure we created titled, “Protecting Women and Children from Human Trafficking.” The brochure alerts flight attendants to the signs of trafficking and gives them the National Hotline Number 1-888-373-7888 to call to report critical information, and possibly save a life. As a result, hundreds of flight attendants have become involved with the Flight Attendant Initiative. Innocents at Risk’s Flight Attendant Initiative was recently named “Operation Blue Lightning” by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and in addition to DHS, the program is supported by the U.S. State Department, ICE, Customs Border Control and countless NGOs in the United States and around the globe. “Blue Lightning” has been extremely successful, and we are expanding the program for other airlines. Flight Attendants are in a unique position to call the national Hotline Number immediately when they notice suspicious activity and possible victims. They are the First Line of Defense! Orphanage Mission In October 2009, Innocents at Risk identified two orphanages in the Dominican Republic, Ninos de Cristo and Jackie’s House, for Airline Ambassadors to co-partner with Innocents at Risk. Ninos de Criso, located in La Romana, houses, protects, loves and cares for children who are abandoned, orphaned and abused. It acts as a permanent home for survivors of child trafficking. Currently Ninos de Cristo shelters 140 children, of which 80% are female and who range in age from 1 to 18. Jackie’s House, located in Santo Domingo, also provides shelter and care for approximately 35 children, most of whom are physically challenged. These children are victims of all kinds of abuse, and often have parents who have been imprisoned. Without the protection of Jackie’s House, most of these children would probably be victims of sex trafficking. Innocents at Risk, along with Airline Ambassadors, will be fulfilling our third mission to the Dominican Republic June 4-7. A group of 35 individuals, mostly part of the Mandell School in New York, will fly to Santo Domingo and spend two days each at Ninos de Cristo and Jackie’s House. We will sponsor lunches for the children for two days, build a hydroponic garden, organize song singing events, purchase groceries, and provide in-kind aid (such as feminine hygiene products) and health aid (such as medicine and vitamins), as well as monetary aid. We will also bring back three children who will stay with families for 2 weeks. As part of their stay, they will be helping out at the Mandell summer camp for a week. The organization faces many monthly operational expenses, which are only partially covered by a private donor, and therefore at times, the staff and children find themselves in difficulty. Innocents at Risk’s twice yearly trips have been a tremendous help, but there is still so much to do and we cannot do it alone. To donate to the Dominican Republic projects, please refer to our homepage (www.innocentsatrisk.org) or to the American Airline Ambassadors’ website (airlineamb.org). Donations of any amount are appreciated and vital to these children, and they are 100% tax deductible. Thank you for your on-going support of us! Together we can stop the travesty that is human trafficking. For further information, please contact us at 202-625-4338 or dsigmund@innocentsatrisk.org. Awareness Video In 2007, Innocents at Risk produced a 10-minute public service video to support the awareness campaign about human trafficking. The video continues to be distributed to embassies, conferences and schools in the U.S. and around the world in order to further our goals of education and awareness. This original video is intended as a wake-up call to those who are unaware of this threat and to the millions of innocents who are most vulnerable. Awareness Merchandise Innocents at Risk strives to bring you products that do the maximum amount of good. That’s why 100% of our proceeds go to fight child trafficking and to raise awareness about this illicit industry. With each item purchased, shoppers generate funds that provide training materials for flight attendants, so that these people on the front line can call the hotline number and prevent child trafficking. We have a wide array of items to show your support, and hope to bring even more items to you soon. Speaking Engagements Deborah Sigmund is a full-time advocate for the fight against Human Trafficking, speaking to dozens of schools, civic groups, churches, and local organizations throughout the United States. Through these organizations, Innocents at Risk is establishing branches for awareness and training across the country.These are just some of the organizations who have heard a presentation by Innocents at Risk: The Capital Speakers Club The Charter 100 Club The Women’s Legislature Leadership Forum Soroptimist International of the Americas The Meridian House The Women’s Club of Louisville, Kentucky T.H.I.S. Organization To schedule a presentation, please contact us at 202-625-4338 or dsigmund@innocentsatrisk.org.
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