For over 40 years, since 1976, Voices for Florida has partnered with others to bring forth social change. Healthy Start, Ounce of Prevention Fund, Early Steps and Healthy Families are just a few of the services that have been envisioned and supported throughout the years.
According to Voices for Florida President Linda Alexionok, a new brand identity was needed to more clearly reflect the heritage of Voices and articulate what the organization does best –inspiring social change.
The new logo, with its electric blue color, contemporary font and lightbulb graphic, better reflects the organization’s legacy of out-of-the-box thinking that benefits children and families.
“It was also very important for our logo to reflect the many partnerships we’ve built over the years,” stated Alexionok. “If you look closely, this is perfectly represented in our new logo as the lightbulb icon is actually comprised of hands joining together.”
The latest innovation to be brought forward by Voices for Florida and its partners is the Open Doors Outreach Network.
Leading Conferences Will Spotlight Open Doors Outreach Network
Industry professionals from across the nation will be learning more about the Open Doors Outreach Network approach at two upcoming conferences.
The 2018 JuST Faith Conference promises to be more than just a conference – but rather a three-day experience to prepare attendees with practical knowledge and effective action steps to address trafficking in their own community. Scheduled for June 20-22 in Minneapolis, the JuST Faith Conference features a wide variety of speakers and educational workshops, including a presentation about the Open Doors Outreach Network by Robyn Metcalf, Voices for Florida statewide director and Christa Hicks, executive director of One More Child (click here for a preview of the Open Doors and Open Heart presentation at the conference).
The JuST Conference is considered the nation’s leading faith-based conference on juvenile sex trafficking to equip, connect and inspire attendees. Registration to attend is still open, and sponsorships and exhibit opportunities are also available.
In addition, Open Doors Outreach Network staff will be presenting a Human Trafficking track at the Tickets are $395 for FCASV members and $450 for non-members.
Hope to see you at these conferences!
International Coalition Comes Together to Fight Trafficking of Children in Sport
Voices for Florida President Linda Alexionok recently presented to a diversified network of leading global organizations, sports bodies, universities, law enforcement and other agencies at SIGA’s Special Session at Miami Dade College.
Participants in SIGA’s Special Session included CEOs, presidents, senior executives and top experts from a myriad of organizations, including the United States President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, Florida Sports Foundation, Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), United States Center for SafeSport, UNESCO, Voices for Florida, Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), CONCACAF, Sport Integrity Mexico, George Washington University School of Business, I9 Sports, ICSS INSIGHT, Jersey College of Nursing, Luna Global Networks, MALLs, Miami Dade College, Miami Marlins, National Olympic Committee of Portugal, Office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney, Office of the Mayor of Florida-Dade County, Office of the Mayor of Miami, One More Child, Our Kids of Miami Dade, Panasonic, Sarasota High School, Save the Dream, School of Justice, Specter Security Group, Sportradar US, Stockholm University, The Children’s Campaign, The McCain Institute, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee and the US Department of Homeland Security, among many others.
SIGA’s plan of action will include the development of:
1. A comprehensive inventory and a comparative analysis on all existing regulatory frameworks, policies and best practice existing in this field, with the purpose of identifying commonalities, but also potential weaknesses and loopholes in the system;
2. To carry out an inclusive dialogue and consultation process, involving all relevant authorities and stakeholders;
3. To develop a set of guidelines, recommendations and universal standards on recruitment, training, education and protection of minors, applicable to all sports; and, last but not the least,
4. To develop a global awareness campaign under the banner “It’s not okay” (#itsnotokay).
For more information, please contact the following:
- Big Bend (Leon and Bay counties): Children’s Home Society of the Big Bend, Leon: 850-219-4239; Bay: 850-819-3830
- Central Florida (Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Polk counties): One More Child, 407-799-8719
- North Coastal (Flagler and Volusia counties): Children’s Home Society of Greater Northeast Florida, 386-281-9823
- Northeast (Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Baker and Clay counties): Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, 904-412-8923
- Suncoast (Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties): More Too Life, 941-227-1012
- Southwest (Collier and Lee counties): Children’s Home Society of Southwest FL, 239-896-7734
- Statewide Office (Tallahassee): Voices for Florida, 850-425-2621
Upcoming Dates
- Florida Coalition Against Sexual Violence – Reaching Out, Coming Together Summit, June 13-15, 2018
Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Dr, Naples, FL 34103 - JuST Faith Summit, June 20-22, 2018
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St. Paul, MN 55112 - DCF Child Protection Summit, September 5-7, 2018
Orlando, FL - Shared Hope JuST Conference, October 16-18, 2018
Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108
Open Doors in the News
In case you missed it:
SIGA Mobilizes International Community, Launches Action Plan Against Child Abuse, Smuggling and Trafficking in Sport – Around the Rings
Research Highlight
The National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC) has developed a Toolkit of new and existing resources that build organizational capacity to collaborate with and support staff, volunteers, and consultants who identify as survivor leaders. The inclusion of survivor engagement is crucial to the toolkit. It allows organizations to better serve clients, craft programs, identify challenges and opportunities, and achieve agency missions and mandates. When agencies are able to build thoughtful, empowering, trauma-sensitive, ethical, and culturally relevant practices for everyone, successful survivor leader engagement will be possible. Read Report
If you believe you are a victim of or suspect human trafficking, please call:
Florida DCF Abuse Hotline: 1 (800) 962-2873 or National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888
Did someone forward this publication to you? Subscribe now to ensure you receive future updates!
With your support, the Open Doors Outreach Network will be able to provide more services to these victims. The sexual exploitation of our children is happening right now, as you read this appeal. Please consider making a donation today. Contributions of any amount will make a difference.
Checks can be made payable to: Voices for Florida Open Doors Network
Mailing address: 111 S. Magnolia Dr., Suite 4, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Or visit our PayPal link by clicking the button below
