Headquartered in Ames, Iowa: The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking & Slavery (NAHT) is Iowa’s first and only statewide volunteer organization devoted exclusively to ending trafficking in all its forms. The Iowa NAHT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is overseen by a board of Directors (20 members) from across Iowa. There are no employees and the Iowa NAHT does not provide direct services to victims or survivors. The NAHT does not receive state funding and operates on private donations. The network’s website is the go-to place for Iowa human trafficking information, training, and volunteer opportunities. You can subscribe to receive a twice-monthly email blog post by going to the contact tab on the website.
Four statewide projects:
- Hotel/Motel Employee Training & Awareness
- Rescue Sticker Distribution and Awareness Project
- Anti-Trafficking Massage Business Project
- Demand An End Project
Network’s Mission: To coordinate Iowa’s solution to end human trafficking and slavery through coalition building, raising awareness, and promoting education and advocacy. To end human trafficking in all its forms through:
- Providing a platform for collaboration between state and local agencies
- Advocating for effective investigation, rescue, and prosecution
- Leading and coordinating public policy and legislative efforts
- Strengthening collaboration between regional groups, nonprofits, law enforcement, faith communities, and community service providers
- Raising awareness and promoting education and training
- Advocating for expansion of survivor services and best practice
Provide education and training and database creation to track at-risk kids making contact with members of the MDT teams showing human trafficking indicators.
Funded to develop and air statewide PSA campaign (via radio, satellite radio, and social media) instructing Iowa motorists, truck drivers, and bus drivers to recognize and call appropriate human trafficking hotlines and victim services agencies. The Iowa Truckers Against Trafficking have become a model for the rest of the country.
Truckers Against Trafficking is a leader in promoting the difference an individual can make in fighting human trafficking and in mobilizing an industry. It has an excellent video and provides trainings for truck and bus drivers. The organization also trains Iowa truck stops to make sure employees are aware of what to look for and what to do if they spot signs of trafficking.
The Iowa LEA provides onsite training for newly hired law enforcement officers on how to recognize and investigate trafficking. The LEA also provides off site training upon request to local police and sheriff’s departments as well as anti-trafficking community groups.
Camp Dodge, Johnston, IA 50131
The primary focus of this program is to prevent LGBTQ+ youth from being groomed by online traffickers. Anti-trafficking advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are utilized to increase awareness of this issue. Information about educational events is provided as well. Iowa Safe Schools also hands out Specialized Pride Packs that focus on human trafficking at Iowa Pride Events.
The Partnership for a Healthy Iowa offers free educational resources developed under the supervision of Iowa educators and Iowa State University as part of the Iowa Digital Literacy and Wellness project.
Spread Your Wings, LLC “Saving Lives, Empowering Youth.”
Based in Ankeny, IA
Spread Your Wings is a 501c (3) organization that has the mission to be proactive, empowering, and preventative to save youth from “bad guys/women.”
The main program is S.A.V.E. Kids. (Self Defense Against Violence & Exploitation.) The program focuses on empowering students between ages 9-14 to defend, prevent, and save themselves from abduction, all types of violence, exploitation, and human trafficking. 2-hour Classes are included as part of the regular educational curriculum. Free to schools and students.
We not only teach physical self-defense skills but educate students on every aspect of abduction, trafficking and exploitation: we follow up with fifteen 5-minute weekly lessons that include a review of safety awareness strategies, reminders of the tricks and lures used by the bad guys, a self-defense skill to practice, and empowerment strategies. We help students become courageous, improve their self-esteem, and realize their value and worth.
Spread Your Wings also has a Youth Center offering programs for youth recovering from trauma, families dealing with violence between children/ bullying, empowerment camps for teens, and
programming to help improve the mental health of youth ages 5-18 years old.
We also offer speaker services.
Service Area: Iowa
Contact: Amy Ratekin, Founder/Executive Director Spread Your Wings, LLC
Organization Address/YOUTH CENTER ADDRESS:
10200 NE Frisk Dr Ankeny, IA 50023
Ankeny, Iowa 50021
Phone: (515) 202-5287
Email: amy@iowaspirittkd.com
Website: https://spreadurwings.org/
All parents face challenges in keeping their children safe online. However, single parents must work twice as hard to keep their households running, which can make internet safety a difficult priority to keep while juggling other parental duties. This is a guide to help single parents.
Through the program known as Teens Against Human Trafficking (TAHT), YSS provided in school—youth to youth—educational and referral opportunities. TAHT now has downloadable resources at their website for students to access.
YSS continues to provide statewide Achieving Maximum Potential (AMP) as well Iowa Foster Care Youth Councils with anti-trafficking education, information, and awareness. YSS continues to provide awareness programming to community groups and law enforcement at conferences.
This nonprofit organization provides prevention education to schools and communities in Iowa. The education program empowers youth to value themselves and others and protect themselves and others from trafficking and social media dangers. They also empower adults to protect youth in these same areas.