#United States #Dallas #child trafficking #SMU #Untrafficked

Untrafficked® Receives Prestigious Community Hero Award

Untrafficked®, a Dallas-based nonprofit established to combat child sex trafficking, has recently gained significant recognition as the recipient of the SMU Community Hero of the Year Award. This award is jointly presented by Southern Methodist University and Origin Bank, and it acknowledges Untrafficked's extensive efforts to educate, empower, and safeguard at-risk children across the nation.

A Commitment to Protecting Children

Founded by Eric Colton, an alumnus of SMU, Untrafficked has played a crucial role in raising awareness of child trafficking and abuse, which has become an alarming issue. In light of statistics provided by the FBI, over 500,000 children were reported missing and more than 750,000 sexual predators were identified online in the United States as of 2024. In response, Untrafficked has dedicated the past six years to various initiatives aimed at addressing this crisis.

Local efforts include a notable collaboration with Dallas ISD, where Untrafficked has been given a contract to train students' families on recognizing and preventing grooming and trafficking within their communities. This program aims to equip families with vital knowledge to shield their children from potential threats.

Untrafficked’s dedication goes even further with a focus on supporting survivors. The organization has developed partnerships with shelters and care facilities, providing crucial counseling and restoration services that help survivors rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences.

Recognition and Appreciation

Eric Colton expressed gratitude for the recognition: “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from Origin Bank and SMU. This award underscores our collective commitment to disrupting child trafficking and exploitation, ultimately safeguarding our children.” This achievement is not just a personal accomplishment for Colton but is also a collective victory for the entire Untrafficked team, along with the numerous volunteers and donors who share their vision of a trafficked-free America.

Origin Bank, which also plays a part in this initiative, emphasizes its commitment to enriching the lives of people in the communities it serves. Warrie Birdwell, the North Texas Regional President of Origin Bank, commented, “Helping to protect the vulnerable and at-risk is a core part of our community commitment.” Together, Origin Bank, SMU, and Untrafficked aim to shed light on this pressing issue and work collaboratively to safeguard families in Dallas and beyond.

The Award Ceremony

The awarding ceremony for the Community Hero of the Year is slated for September 6, 2025, during the SMU vs. Baylor football game at Ford Stadium. This event will mark a significant occasion to honor the contributions of Untrafficked in the battle against child sex trafficking.

Supporting Untrafficked’s Mission

Untrafficked® is not just limited to Texas but operates nationwide. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it works diligently to educate and empower the public to speak out against child sex trafficking and advocate for the rights of survivors. They are committed to confronting indifference regarding this social issue and combatting child trafficking in all its forms.

For those interested in supporting this vital mission, further information can be found on their official website www.untrafficked.org. In addition, the organization reflects a diverse approach, appealing to various demographics across political, ethnic, and social lines, striving to maximize their impact in communities and nationwide.

As this fight against child trafficking continues, Untrafficked stands as a beacon of hope and a model for effective community engagement, demonstrating the power of prevention, support, and education.