All programs can be presented in either English or Spanish.
Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking is a global epidemic. There are more slaves today than at any time in human history. An estimated 27 million men, women, and children are living in bondage. In 2007, slave traders made more profit than Google, Nike, and Starbucks combined
What’s Going On
• There are over 1 million new people trafficked annually
• 80% are women and 60% are children.
• Every minute 2 children become victims of human trafficking.
• The average life span of a child caught in the sex slave trade is two years.
• They are either beaten to death, contract HIV/AIDS, contract bacterial meningitis, oroverdose on drugs forced on them.
• Each prostituted child serves between 100 to 1500 clients per year
According to the Department Of Justice 200,000 American children are at risk for sex trafficking. Approximately 300,000 children are at risk of being prostituted in the United States. The average age of entry into prostitution in the United States is 13-14 years old. A pimp can make $150,000-$200,000 per child, per year. The average pimp has 4 to 6 girls. Victims may be forced to have sex up to 20-48 times a day. One in three teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. According to Polaris, California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois were the five states with the highest number of reported trafficking cases.
What MMT Does
Currently there are only first responder attempts and parent awareness campaigns for Human Trafficking. No one is specifically educating the 12-14 year olds who are most at risk. That is why we want to educate the 8th graders in the 572 schools in the top 10 U.S. cities affected most by Human Trafficking. But we need your help.
Sponsor MMT in the U.S.Sponsor MMT Internationally
More Information
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying can occur in person or through the use electronic technology, including cell phones, computers, tablets, social media platforms, text messages, chat rooms, emails, and websites.
Examples of Bullying & Cyberbullying:
• Teasing/Name-calling/Taunting
• Spreading rumors
• Tripping/Pushing/Spitting
• Mean text messages or emails
• Rumors sent via email or posted on social networking pages
• Embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, and even fake profiles
Kids Who Are Bullied Are More Likely To:
• Use alcohol and drugs
• Skip school
• Experience in-person bullying
• Be unwilling to attend school
• Receive poor grades
• Have lower self-esteem
• Have more health problems
What’s Going On
• A 2015 random sample study of 11-15 year olds in the Midwest found that over 34% reported being the victim of bullying in their lifetime.1
• Other studies have found that 1 in 4 teens have been bullied.2
• Victims of bullying are much more likely to use alcohol and drugs, avoid school and have poor grades, experience depression and low self-esteem, and may even contemplate suicide.3
• Kids who are being cyberbullied are often bullied in person as well.3
• Kids who are cyberbullied have a harder time getting away from the behavior. Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night.3
• Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience. It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.3
• Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.3
• Girls (40.6%) are much more likely to be victims of cyberbullying than boys (28.8%).4
• Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat are the top three most popular social media platforms for teens.5
• In a random sample study over 14% admitted to cyberbullying another person, with spreading rumors online, via text, or email being the most common form of bullying.6
• A study by McAfee, found that 87% of teens have observed cyberbullying.7
• Over 70% of teens have a smartphone, and 15% have at least a basic cellphone, making texting one of the most common means of cyberbullying.8
What MMT Does
MMT teaches adolescents what bullying is and how it can harm others. We also teach them how what they do on the Internet today will affect their future. Finally, we teach young people where to go to get help if they are being bullied.
Sponsor MMT in the U.S.Sponsor MMT Internationally
1http://cyberbullying.org/2015-data
2http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cyberbullying.html
3https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/
4http://cyberbullying.org/2015-data/cyberbullying-gender-2015
5https://www.callersmart.com/guides/49/Cyberbullying-What-Is-Cyberbullying-and-How-to-Stop-It
6http://cyberbullying.org/2015-data/cyberbullying-offending-2015-2
7http://www.mcafee.com/us/about/news/2014/q2/20140603-01.aspx
8http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/04/09/teens-social-media-technology-2015/pi_2015-04-09_teensandtech_06/
Sexual Assault
Sexual violence is a serious problem that can have lasting, harmful effects on victims and their family, friends, and communities. The goal of sexual violence prevention is simple—to stop it from happening in the first place. The solutions, however, are just as complex as the problem.
Every 98 seconds someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. That means every single day more than 570 people experience sexual violence in this country.1
Around 120 million girls worldwide (slightly more than 1 in 10) have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives. By far the most common perpetrators of sexual violence against girls are current or former husbands, partners, or boyfriends.2
Prevention and policy responses to sexual violence against men need to be based on an understanding of the problem, its causes, and the circumstances in which it occurs. In many countries, the phenomenon is not adequately addressed in legislation. In addition, male rape is frequently not treated as an equal offense with rape of women.
Preventing sexual violence requires comprehensive prevention strategies that address factors at each level of the social ecology—individual, relationship, community, and society.
Sexual assault can include, but is not limited to, rape, sexual threats and intimidation, incest, sexual assault by intimate partners, child sexual abuse, human sexual trafficking, sexual harassment, street harassment and other forms of unwelcome, coerced, or non-consensual activity. The term “sexual abuse” is also often used to describe the wide range of activities that constitute sexual assault.
Sexual violence impacts a victim’s health in many ways and can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems.
National Statistics On Survivors
- Nearly 1 in 5 women (or 22 million) have been raped at some point in their lives in the U.S.3
- Nearly 1 in 2 women have experienced sexual violence other than rape at some point in their lives. This equates to more than 53 million women in the U.S.3
- Nearly 1 in 5 men (or 25 million) have experienced sexual violence other than rape at some point in their lives in the U.S.3
Disturbing Trends: 1 in 3 women will be sexually assaulted during their time in college; 1 in 12 men will experience the same; only 5 percent of those victims will report the crime to police.4
What MMT Does
MMT teaches students body boundaries, how to protect themselves online/in person, how to get out of a troubling or dangerous situation, and where to go to get help.
Sponsor MMT in the U.S.Sponsor MMT Internationally
1 https://www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem
2 http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-figures
3 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/
4 https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_factsheet_media-packet_statistics-about-sexual-violence_0.pdf
Importance of Youth Empowerment & Motivation
• Global projections suggest that nearly all of the demographic expansion of the next 30 years will be concentrated in urban areas.1
• Today, young people aged 10-24 represent the largest generation in history, 1.8 billion, and comprise a diverse group with different needs and aspirations that vary across and within regions. 1
• A total of 357.7 million youth (age 16-24) were not in education, employment, or training (NEET) in 2010, and the number is increasing.2 3
• Prolonged unemployment entails higher risk of future unemployment, as prospective employers have negative perception of youth who have been without employment for a long period of time. Discouraged youth gave up looking for work altogether and are in danger of feeling useless and alienated from society.4
• At the individual level, characteristics overrepresented among the NEET population include low motivation and aspiration including lack of confidence, sense of fatalism, and low self-esteem.5
• “Empowerment is critical to poverty eradication and to development,” said the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo. “Indeed, I would even say that any long-term solution to poverty must start with empowerment.”
• Motivation is vital, because as the UNESCO 2005 Education For All Global Monitoring Report states, “…those with motivation and perseverance are likely to do better, other things being equal, than people of similar intelligence but less staying power.”
• The goals of MMT fall under the Millennium Development Goal of the United Nations 8.F, “In cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.”
What MMT Does
MMT shows young people that they are not stuck with the hands they are dealt. That they are able to make a difference in their communities and for the world. We help to ignite the potential within every young person that attends our events and get them all excited for the next steps in their lives.
Sponsor MMT in the U.S.Sponsor MMT Internationally
1 World Conference on Youth 2014.
2 World Bank. Youth Employment in the Developing World – A profile: Data from World Bank Micro Surveys. mimeo. 2012. Washington D.C: World Bank.
3 “Off to a Good Start? Jobs for Youth”. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2010
4 Global Employment Trends for Youth 2012. May, 2012. Geneva: International Labour Organization.
5 European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Benfits of Youth Leadership
• The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities.
• Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders – these skills are needed for success in today’s world.7
• Helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation. 9
• Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates.1
• By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community.10
• They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and fresh perspectives for how to address these problems.3,8,10
• Young people help to re-energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities. 5,10
What MMT Does
MMT teaches youth leadership in 5 different areas, including:
• Communication – public speaking/writing and engaging the participation of others
• Teamwork – respecting others, performing roles of both leader and follower, building on strengths, and commitment to free group input and expression
• Personal Identity – understanding the relationship between oneself and the community, pride in being a member of a larger group, awareness of areas for self-improvement, taking responsibility for one’s actions and the resulting consequences
• Professionalism – demonstrating tactfulness, understanding protocols, appropriate dress and action, delivering quality work, positively presenting oneself to others
• Project Management – setting goals/developing action steps, meeting facilitation, reflection, distinguishing between one’s interests and community needs
Each program is unique and is modified depending on the needs identified by adult leaders of the organization or group with whom we are working.
Sponsor MMT in the U.S.Sponsor MMT Internationally
1Bloomberg, L., Ganey, A., Alba, V., Quintero, G., & Alcantara, L. A. (2003). Chicano-latino youth leadership institute: An asset-based program for youth. American Journal of Health Behavior, 27, S45-S54.
2Boyd, B. L. (2001). Bringing leadership experiences to inner-city youth. Journal of Extension, 39(4).
3Des Marais, J., Yang, Y., & Farzanehkia, F. (2000). Service-learning leadership development for youths. Phi Delta Kappan, 81(9), 678 – 680
4Fertman, C. I., & van Linden, J. A. (1999). Character education: An essential ingredient for youth leadership development. NASSP
5Fiscus, L. (2003). Youth as equal partners in decision making. The Education Digest, 68(7), 58-62.
6Gardner, J. W. (1990). On leadership. New York: Free Press
7MacNeil, C. (2000). Youth-Adult Collaborative Leadership: Strategies for Fostering Ability and Authority. Michigan: UMI Dissertation Services.
8McGillicuddy, K. (1991). Response to karen pittman. Future Choices: Toward a National Youth Policy, 3(2), 95-99.
9O’Brien, J., & Kohlmeier, J. (2003). Leadership: Part of the civic mission of school? The Social Studies, 94(4), 161
10Zeldin, S., & Camino, L. (1999). Youth leadership: Linking research and program theory to exemplary practice. Research and practice: Completing the circle. New Designs for Youth Development, 15(1), 10-15
Benefits of Our Programs Abroad
Motivational Missions (MMT) is dedicated to helping the youth around the world. By sharing knowledge and best practices, and calling on all stakeholders to take action, we address some of the greatest challenges facing the world. Our initiatives are about partnership, inspiration, and creating a better future.
MMT has had the privilege of working with NGO’s, Ministries of Education, government officials, and many local businesses around the world. MMT’s Team of professional speakers/educators is constantly looking for and working towards providing global communities with the opportunity to educate, empower, and motivate young adults around the world.
The MMT Team takes time in each city it visits to learn the local culture, visit underprivileged citizens, and bond with the communities’ families. MMT also makes public appearances, public service announcements, and video news releases. In addition, the Team participates in press conferences, broadcasts, and print interviews to focus public attention on the various social issues on which MMT focuses. The MMT team also stays connected with the help of social media, email, and local liaisons after the tour.
Current Global Social Issues
Leadership Skills help develop a sense of responsibility, self efficacy, and a positive mindset. This coupled with planning and organizational skills enables people to become better learners and higher achievers. Genuine leadership skills can support transition into adulthood, foster the skills and character to be responsible citizens, and promote social and emotional well-being. Understanding the process involved in leading oneself and others enables young people to be confident in their roles and to navigate their own path.
Self-Confidence development can help one manage fears, tackle life’s challenges with more certainty, and maintain a positive mental attitude. Learning to believe in oneself is what allows one to rise up and reach one’s potential.
Youth Empowerment improves social skills, improves behavior, increases academic achievement, increases self-esteem, and increases self-efficacy.
Youth Development programs are developmentally appropriate programs designed to prepare adolescents for productive adulthood by providing opportunities and support to help them gain the competencies and knowledge needed to meet the increasing challenges they will face as they mature.