Blanket Fort Hope founder discusses human trafficking, resources

Human trafficking of children is a worldwide problem, and Shelby County is no exception.

At the April 7 South Shelby Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Blanket Fort Hope co-founder Lauren Hartin and board of directors chairman Jeff McDowell shared information about human trafficking as well as how Blanket Fort Hope can be a resource for recovery.

Blanket Fort Hope got its name from the idea that a blanket fort, which many children build, provides security. The non-profit specializes in helping child victims of sex trafficking, and McDowell said they hope to provide safety, security and hope to children.

“There are some great organizations that care for children, and we need them,” McDowell said. “But there’s not anybody that specifically focuses on the unique needs of a human trafficking victim.”

Human trafficking is a much larger problem in the Birmingham area than people realize, McDowell said, and I-20 is known as the sex trafficking superhighway.

“It’s the second biggest crime in the U.S., behind drugs, but it’s the fastest growing,” McDowell said. “The reason why is that guns and drugs can be sold one time. … But the victims of human trafficking can be sold multiple times a day.”

Blanket Fort Hope plans to establish a children’s home where victims can receive help, but McDowell said they also hope to get their prevention education into schools.

“What we’re trying to do at Blanket Fort Hope is expose the enemy’s playbook by letting these kids know, ‘This is going on. Watch yourself,’” McDowell said.

They have paired up with Leadership Shelby County to create a video to accompany their curriculum. The video and curriculum will be used to educate students about how traffickers lure and coerce victims, Hartin said.

Combining the plan for prevention with a home for victims, Hartin said they help break the cycle of human trafficking. When victims are found and there are no proper resources in place, they normally reenter the world of human trafficking.

“The message that we always want to leave with people is human trafficking is a devastating evil to our kids, and we want to be realistic about that, but the message we always want to leave is one of hope,” Hartin said. “We believe there is hope for our kids and hope for our communities.”

Even though human trafficking is a growing problem, Hartin said Shelby County has embraced a helpful role in combating the issue. Blanket Fort Hope plans to build an intake facility in Shelby County, has received support from Sheriff John Samaniego and has started to talk with community churches to begin education programs.

“Here in Shelby County, y’all are the pioneers of our state on how to effectively address this issue,” she said. “We still have a long way to go, but we’ve been so appreciative of that.”

For more information about Blanket Fort Hope, visit blanketforthope.org.

This month’s luncheon was a spotlight on nonprofits, and Samaniego discussed another Shelby County nonprofit, Owens House, during the luncheon. Owens House, located in Columbiana, serves victims of sexual abuse throughout the course of their case, from the first interview through the disposition. The resources have grown throughout its history, Samaniego said, and their need also grows each year.

“Think of us in a good light and if you can spare $1 or two, we’d appreciate the help,” he said.