Who We Are
Inner City Visions (ICV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2007 in the epicenter of South Los Angeles. We engage what is statistically the most vulnerable population of at-risk and exploited youth and provide solutions to their ever-evolving hardships. Combatting human trafficking in Florence-Firestone involves taking high-level risks and addressing the deeply engrained dysfunctions of a generationally disadvantaged and gang-influenced community. ICV is the only NGO in the area that is built on a history of long-standing community relationships and has an in-depth understanding of how youth become vulnerable to exploitation and recruitment into the commercial sex trade.
Core Values
Inner City Visions is committed to serving the neediest and most vulnerable with excellence. We respect the inherent dignity and worth of every person and remain hopeful that every opportunity can make a difference in people’s lives.
- Compassion
- Harmony
- Integrity
- Honor
- Tolerance
- Justice
- Humility
- Diversity
- Commitment
- Inclusivity
Urban Engagement
MISSION:
Supporting the transformation of communities and celebrating the reclaimed vision for the individual, the family, and the community.
THE PROBLEM:
According to formal community assessment, the Florence-Firestone area (Historic South-Central) is a seriously disadvantaged community with a substantial number of families living in poverty (32%) and a significant number of residents not in the labor force (50%). Education levels in the site are extremely low; in particular, seven of ten residents over 25 lack a high school degree. This rate is more than twice that of Los Angeles City and County.
Families
living in poverty
Residents
not in the labor force
7/10 residents over 25
lack a high school degree
7/10
7/10
The Child Rescue Project /
South Los Angeles
MISSION:
To provide gang intervention, immediate crisis care, prevention, intervention and empowerment to children and families who are most vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation.
THE PROBLEM:
Many of the runaways and children who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation in South Los Angeles are trapped in a gang entrenched culture often compounded by a family dynamic of neglect, abuse and criminal activity.
Currently, a rapidly growing population of children continues to be trapped in these high crime/gang infested areas. According to a New York Time’s article …“The barriers to rescuing these children are steep: state cuts to mental health services, child welfare agencies incapable of preventing them from running away. After years of abuse, trauma and neglect, the children also tend to trust no one. The longer they are on the streets, experts say, the more likely they are to become involved in crime and uncooperative with the authorities.”
In the United States alone there are between 100,000 and 300,000 American girls under the age of 18 who are currently being sexually exploited by traffickers. One out of three runaway children will be approached by a trafficker within 48 hours of leaving home. The average age of entry into the sex industry in the United States is just 12 years old. Girls who are trafficked into the United States from other countries are given proper after-care services once they are rescued, but American girls are more often arrested and treated as criminals, while their traffickers and abusers most often remain free.
Los Angeles and Orange Counties have two of the highest number of commercially sexually exploited children in the United States. Their large population, high tourism rate, and proximity to Las Vegas create a high demand for all forms of “adult entertainment”, resulting in the commercial sexual exploitation of thousands of child victims every year within these areas.
American girls under 18 years
old being sexually exploited
100,000 -
300,000
1/3 runaway children
are approached by a trafficker
within 48 hours
1/3
Average age of entry
into the sex industry
JUST
12
YEARS OLD
