Assisting Vulnerable Young Women in Tampa Bay Area from Becoming Involved in Human Trafficking Situations

Tampa, FL, February 12, 2014 --(PR.com)-- According the Florida Department of Child and Family Services, young women aging out of the Foster Care System and Juvenile Justice System in the State of Florida are at considerably higher risk than their peers at becoming involved in a human trafficking situation, within the first two years after they have left a juvenile detention center or foster home. (1)

Taking Opportunities To Reach Compelling Heights, Inc., a local non-profit, aims to connect with young women who have “aged out” of Foster Cares, as well as those newly released from the State of Florida Prison / Juvenile Justice System by facilitating and assisting with their positive integration into society. T.O.R.C.H. serves to not only to educate, enlighten, and empower this high risk under-performing demographic, but ultimately to create positive environments and legacies for the children and families that depend on them.

Founded in 2013, T.O.R.C.H. initially will focus efforts on providing education and mentoring programs that help these young women build and strengthen life skills in the areas of education, financial literacy, inter-personal relationships, effective communication, and access into community resources. To kick off programming, Taking Opportunities to Reach Compelling Heights, Inc. will hold a one day young women’s empowerment workshop on Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Keiser University in Tampa. The event is open to young women between the ages of 16-21 years of age, and is offered free of charge due to the generosity of community sponsors and donors.

For more information on T.O.R.C.H. or the March 1st event, please visit www.torchignited.org or call Alisa Persad, Founder and President at (813) 841-6782.

1 www.myflfamilies.com