"A Ray of Hope" Fundraiser for Group Home to house Victims of Human Trafficking

June 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Los Angeles-June 19, 2012-Human trafficking and prostitution is a huge criminal underground industry across the globe at the rate of 1.2 million.  In the United States young girls are being forced into a life of prostitution estimated at a rate of 300,000 in 2009 according to the US Department of State.

Tyesa Walton has daily personal interactions with young girls, as a teacher in a LA County facility for troubled teens. Many of the young ladies who are housed at this facility are victims of the human sex trafficking.  Many of my students will tell you that my motto is “I made a mistake, I am not a mistake.  
Walton, along with her two daughters are the founders of IMSK Youth Council and their mission is to foster the hopes and dreams by empowering young ladies to reach their highest potential through fostering culturally sensitive, comprehensive treatment, specialized education, and support services to abused, neglected and at-risk young ladies ages 12-17 years old.

Walton grew up on the south side of Chicago where her family resided in the Harold Ickes Homes.  She knows first- hand how difficult it is growing up in a life of poverty.  Her parents abused drugs and she had the responsibility of raising her siblings, two younger sisters (one with multiple disabilities and legally blind) and a baby brother.  
After being evicted from the projects due to drug abuse by my parent, my sibling and I vowed to never use drugs.  In 1986 I graduated from Dunbar Vocational High School and made the decision to attend college, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. I graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration and got a job as an insurance analysis.

However, I was told by my Aunt Paulette at a family gathering that I had a gift for teaching special needs children, as I had raised my sister with special needs.  I laughed it off and explained that, “I had no interest in raising other folk’s children”.  However, a short time later, I enrolled and attended classes to get a special education certification at Chicago State University.   I enjoyed learning and working in the area of special needs education so much that I continued attending CSU and received an Emotional Behavioral Certification, Master’s Degree of Special Education, and an Administrator’s Certification.

I taught in the Chicago Public Schools for 13 years, which included a juvenile correction center.  I relocated to California in 2007, so my daughter could pursue her dream of becoming an actress.  I currently teach English Language Arts/Electives in a special education setting at The Dorothy Kirby Juvenile Detention Center.  
While working at here I met “Ray”, a beautiful quiet, yet feisty young lady, that gave me so much attitude that I knew she didn’t belong in a special education classroom; those were her words minus a lot of profanity.  After seeing others in my classroom get hugs from Mama Walton, Ray decided to give it a chance not only did I inspire her but she also inspired me. It is because of my experience with “Ray” that we are determined to open the IMSK Youth Council Group Home in LA.

“A Ray of Hope” is a fundraiser slated for Sunday, August 12, 2012 5 P.M-9 P.M. at the WVON Legacy Room,1000 East 87th St. Chgo. IL. This will be the 1st Annual Fundraiser for” I’m My Sisters Keeper Youth Council” (IMSK ).  The fundraiser will include a Silent Auction, Fashion/ Talent Show, Food and live music.  Tickets are $20.  Tickets can be purchased at here http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3773691212.