October 23, 2009
In July 2009, the National Vigil for Hope and InstantAmber partnered to ensure that the cases and faces of the missing are visible. Now, the two have teamed up to identify resources for the families of missing children. When a child goes missing, parents are frantic and have no idea of how to handle the situation or what to do next. Members of InstantAmber, however, have a plan of action: they should direct law enforcement to their account to obtain information needed for the police to complete the NCIC report (missing person report). During this traumatic time, parents also need a support system and guidance. This article is meant to direct and guide parents on the steps for handling a missing child emergency and what organizations can be contacted for additional support or help.
As with anything, money is needed to fund programs that provide help and support to the missing and their families. Companies that can provide discounted rates or free services to help the missing and their families are needed, too. When a missing child is found, and the family hasn't received grants or assistance from the government, the cost of reuniting the missing child and family is the responsibility of the family or a non-profit organization. In today's economy, most non-profits are in desperate need of funding and therefore can't provide the assistance that they once could. Please help by donating to the non-profits mentioned in this article or to any others that provide help, support and/or resources for the missing and their families.
In a recent case, a young missing boy was found a great distance away from his mother. The cost to reunite him with his mother was extremely high, due to the rising cost of airfare. If your company would like to provide free or discounted rates to ensure that the missing and their families are reunited, please contact Michelle Bart. Services needed include hotel rooms, flights, and rental cars.
Non-Profits that Help Find the Missing:
Several non-profit organizations work with law enforcement to locate missing children, including scent tracking dogs and search helicopters. These organizations are funded by individuals and corporations that are concerned with helping families reunite with their missing loved ones.
VK9 Scent Specific Search and Rescue Unit:
VK9 SSSAR Unit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing Scent Specific K9 Search Support to Law Enforcement, Missing Person Organizations, and Emergency Management agencies throughout the country. VK9 was created to support Law Enforcement and other agencies in the specialized areas of Scent Specific Trailing, Criminal and Evidence Recovery work. VK9 SSSAR Unit is "inclusive" to Scent Specific K9 Search & Recovery. Due to the working nature of trailing dogs, VK9 requires a liaison individual to be assigned to the teams by the jurisdictional Law Enforcement Agency.
VK9 SSSAR Unit consists of several state and nationally certified operational K9 teams; operational trailing dog teams can receive multiple certifications. All training and responses are done at the expense of the handlers. These dedicated handlers will spend approximately 10-20 hours or more a week training themselves and their canines for SAR. Most handlers have full time jobs, in addition to this volunteer commitment, and often use their personal vacation time off work for SAR activities. The handlers privately own most gear and equipment. They use their personal vehicles to travel to trainings, seminars, demos, and search missions - many are more than two hours away. Click here to find out how you can help.
Angel's Wings Air Search and Rescue:
AWASAR is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was created in 2008 and incorporated in 2009. Angel's Wings Air Search and Rescue is strictly a charitable, humanitarian, and educational run organization. A qualified search and rescue disaster and missing person organization that provides life saving search, rescue and recovery of the missing and are also affiliated with many other organizations, including Law Enforcement and US Military.
Angel's Wings Air Search and Rescue's (AWASAR) mission is to help in the rescue and recovery of the missing, as well as, to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation. They are a Search, Rescue and Recover organization in coalition with other organizations that serve in the fight against human trafficking. Click here to find out how you can help.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of "Resources for the Families of Missing Children," which will provide informative guides, listing of governmental agencies, and important links to help families cope with a missing child emergency.
