Paving The Way Foundation educates and empowers communities to prevent our children from becoming victims of child exploitation, online or in person, through powerful, engaging educational programs.
According to the National Trafficking Hotline, Florida has the 3rd highest number of calls in the country to the center, only behind California and Texas. Another eye-opening statistic is that the average age is 10-13 years old.
Florida Department of Children and Family Services reported that over 2,200 child human trafficking cases were reported between May of 2023 and May of 2024.
Our educational programs are cutting edge and engaging. We've trained over 38,000 children, teens, young adults and community members since January of 2017. We use either our Award Winning film, Trapped in the Trade, or I am Little Red a short animated video to begin the conversation and disrupt what people think they 'know' about online exploitation and human trafficking. After the film we engage the audience in 'What if' scenarios and have them do the critical thinking, empowering them to prevent our children from being lured into this tragic life.
Students learn:
We're on a mission to end the cycle of exploitation, sex trafficking, bullying, and abuse—one empowered community at a time. Since 2017, our cutting-edge, engaging educational programs have reached over 38,000 children, teens, young adults, and community members, equipping them with the tools to recognize and disrupt these silent crimes.
Our interactive trainings dive deep into the realities of human trafficking and exploitation, revealing how traffickers groom and recruit victims, the apps and games they use to target youth, and the red flags that signal danger. Participants learn about the laws designed to protect them and—most importantly—the actions they can take to prevent exploitation in their schools and neighborhoods.
Our thought-provoking approach doesn’t just inform—it inspires. By helping students and communities understand what’s happening and how to respond, we build a generation of leaders confident enough to speak up, take action, and protect each other.
We invite you to partner with us in ending trafficking here in Central Florida and beyond.
Contact us here, we would love to come speak to your group or youth group!
According to the National Trafficking Hotline, Florida has the 3rd highest number of calls in the country to the center, only behind California and Texas. Another eye-opening statistic is that the average age is 10-13 years old.
Florida Department of Children and Family Services reported that over 2,200 child human trafficking cases were reported between May of 2023 and May of 2024.
Our educational programs are cutting edge and engaging. We've trained over 38,000 children, teens, young adults and community members since January of 2017. We use either our Award Winning film, Trapped in the Trade, or I am Little Red a short animated video to begin the conversation and disrupt what people think they 'know' about online exploitation and human trafficking. After the film we engage the audience in 'What if' scenarios and have them do the critical thinking, empowering them to prevent our children from being lured into this tragic life.
Students learn:
- What is human trafficking and exploitation
- Grooming and Recruitment tactics used
- Apps and games where traffickers groom kids
- Signs of trafficking
- Actions to take to prevent it
- What to do if you are experiencing exploitation
- Resources available
We're on a mission to end the cycle of exploitation, sex trafficking, bullying, and abuse—one empowered community at a time. Since 2017, our cutting-edge, engaging educational programs have reached over 38,000 children, teens, young adults, and community members, equipping them with the tools to recognize and disrupt these silent crimes.
Our interactive trainings dive deep into the realities of human trafficking and exploitation, revealing how traffickers groom and recruit victims, the apps and games they use to target youth, and the red flags that signal danger. Participants learn about the laws designed to protect them and—most importantly—the actions they can take to prevent exploitation in their schools and neighborhoods.
Our thought-provoking approach doesn’t just inform—it inspires. By helping students and communities understand what’s happening and how to respond, we build a generation of leaders confident enough to speak up, take action, and protect each other.
We invite you to partner with us in ending trafficking here in Central Florida and beyond.
Contact us here, we would love to come speak to your group or youth group!
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Listen in as News 13 and Bay News 9 Reporters tackle a very challenging topic with grace and offer up important information to take to keep our kids safe.
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Why we believe educating students is the
key to disrupting the cycle of trafficking: Police: Children recruiting other kids for human trafficking at schools |
What parents and educators have to say about our programs:
"My first reaction was every parent and teacher in Brevard County needs to hear this information. The information is presented in a very real and impactful way for all ages. In my thirty years of teaching, I have never seen anyone get the kids attention and keep them engaged like Jan did. They wanted to know more."
- Barb B, Eau Gallie High
"You literally saved my life. I now know not share my information online with strangers and will share with my friends to keep them safe."
- 5th Grader, Meadowbrooke Elementary School
"I know that many of us were nervous to listen to a presentation about human trafficking which can be a sensitive subject, but the information given was so valuable and was delivered in such an engaging way that everyone was able to easily take in what was being said."
- Meadow, Jr. Eau Gallie HS
"One day our 13 year old son came home from school and said that he wanted to talk. He told us that he attended a presentation about human trafficking and that he now understood all the warnings we had given him previously about social media and gaming. The program reinforced the information we had provided him at home and provided him a deeper understanding of the hows; the wheres; and, the whys. Most children don’t have this opportunity at home, and this program is invaluable for all of our young people – both at the middle school and high school level. It should absolutely be in all our schools. Thank you!
Alyson - Attorney and mom
- Barb B, Eau Gallie High
"You literally saved my life. I now know not share my information online with strangers and will share with my friends to keep them safe."
- 5th Grader, Meadowbrooke Elementary School
"I know that many of us were nervous to listen to a presentation about human trafficking which can be a sensitive subject, but the information given was so valuable and was delivered in such an engaging way that everyone was able to easily take in what was being said."
- Meadow, Jr. Eau Gallie HS
"One day our 13 year old son came home from school and said that he wanted to talk. He told us that he attended a presentation about human trafficking and that he now understood all the warnings we had given him previously about social media and gaming. The program reinforced the information we had provided him at home and provided him a deeper understanding of the hows; the wheres; and, the whys. Most children don’t have this opportunity at home, and this program is invaluable for all of our young people – both at the middle school and high school level. It should absolutely be in all our schools. Thank you!
Alyson - Attorney and mom
What our partners have to say:
Interested in becoming one of our partners or collaborating? Great!
Reach out here. To see who else we partner with click here.
Reach out here. To see who else we partner with click here.
We are proud to be part of these organizations fighting human trafficking and modern day slavery!
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Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars
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Thank you for caring about our children and their future.
See something - DO something
Call the Missing Kids Hotline 800-843-5678
National Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 or
Text INFO or HELP to 233733
Paving The Way Foundation is a 501c3 - Tax ID #81-2373127
See something - DO something
Call the Missing Kids Hotline 800-843-5678
National Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 or
Text INFO or HELP to 233733
Paving The Way Foundation is a 501c3 - Tax ID #81-2373127