In a world where information is at our fingertips and news stories are relayed to us while they unfold, it is hard to focus on just one, and even easier to forget the news story you heard just a week ago. Fast forward thirty years and the nine-year-old boy who disappeared on his way to school, who had been the focus of your community three decades ago is now relatively unknown to his community and unheard of outside of it. Law enforcement have exhausted all viable leads. With few resources and no new leads, his case goes cold. His family, of course, has not forgotten and does their best to keep him "relevant". Sadly, this is the experience of many of the families of the children we will be featuring on We the Missing.
The search for missing children is not the sole responsibility of law enforcement. We, as a society, have a duty to raise awareness and support the families desperately searching for their loved ones. Each photograph on a missing poster represents a life interrupted, a family left in anguish and a community longing for answers. These innocent souls have been have been taken from their families and deserve to be home.
How can you help?
1. Share their stories: Social media has the power to reach millions of people in an instant. Take a moment to share the stories of missing children on your platforms. You never know who might see it and provide a crucial piece of information.
2. Volunteer your time: Many organizations dedicated to finding missing children rely on volunteers to assist with search efforts, fundraising, and awareness campaigns. Consider donating your time and skills to these organizations. Every little bit helps.
3. Support the families: The families of missing children endure unimaginable pain and uncertainty. Show them compassion and support. Attend vigils, fundraisers, and events organized in their honor. Let them know that they are not alone in their search.
4. Never forget: It's easy for the faces of missing children to fade from our memory as time goes on. But we must make a conscious effort to keep their names and stories alive. Hang posters in your community, participate in awareness campaigns, and never stop talking about them.
Together, we can make a difference and bring them home.
Comments