WE ARE
YOUTH4ABOLITION®
A generation of young people committed to ending human trafficking.
Youth4Abolition® (Y4A) is a youth-led, peer-to-peer, human trafficking prevention and awareness program focused on empowering our nation's youth to protect themselves, educate their friends and share their knowledge and skills throughout their communities.
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Y4A sets up chapters in high schools, colleges and churches across the United States. Each chapter is run by a dedicated student leader with the help of their Y4A Coach and Adult Sponsor. Once the Chapter President is trained on our state-of-the-art curriculum, they deliver the information to their peers throughout the year.
OUR BIGGEST WEAPON IS EDUCATION
Youth4Abolition is all about starting the conversation regarding the true dangers of Human Trafficking. Education and awareness is the most effective way to prevent this crime. The more people who know the warning signs the better. Having this knowledge helps young people stay safe and protect others.
Y4A DEVELOPS LEADERS
Chapter Presidents have the opportunity to make a difference in their community while building personal and professional skills. Taking on a leadership role to inspire real change builds positive character traits. The Chapter President will learn how to communicate professionally, deliver presentations, plan events, and fundraise.
WHY WE EXIST
The average age that someone becomes a victim of sex trafficking in the US is 12 years old. Young people are are targeted the most by human traffickers because they are more vulnerable. Members of the young generation have a duty to stand up for their fellow young people. We are educating ourselves, our friends and our community on the issue of Human Trafficking and specifically Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST). Y4A gets our message out to prevent further victimization.
OUR STORY
Youth4Abolition® was founded in 2014 as the prevention and awareness arm of On Eagles Wings (OEW), a 501c3 organization based in the Carolinas. OEW seeks to prevent those from falling victim to sex trafficking, offer assistance to those still trapped, and restore those who have survived by offering hope, empowerment, and a brighter future. Over the past nine years, Y4A has grown exponentially in size and impact, engaging thousands of youth in working to abolish human trafficking.
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WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
Y4A TRAINS VOLUNTEER STUDENT LEADERS
Our powerful seven-part human trafficking curriculum is designed by award-winning educators and curriculum specialists. The Youth4Abolition® curriculum is eye-opening, impactful, and effective in building awareness and prevention of this horrible crime. It is engaging and empowering for all students who participate.
IMPACT OF PEER-TO-PEER
A 2018 study found that peer-to-peer education creates greater confidence and independence in learning, and a deeper understanding. This reinforces the foundation that if you teach a peer a subject, your personal knowledge also grows and the message is more likely to be retained and understood.
Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.
~ Ben Franklin
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OUR TEAM
Alexa Arciero
Director of Youth4Abolition®
Alexa Arciero is from Charlotte, NC and holds a degree in Media and Journalism from UNC Chapel Hill. In addition to being Y4A Director, she is the Communications Manager for On Eagles Wings, Y4A's parent organization. Alexa is passionate about protecting and empowering the next generation. She is honored to be leading this team of young people in preventing human trafficking in the Carolinas.
Cassidi Dozier
Y4A Chapter Coach
Cassidi Dozier is pursuing a masters degree in Global Community Engagement at the University of Denver. She pioneered and led a Y4A chapter at her high school, Nation Ford, in 2017-2018. Since then she has continued involvement in anti-trafficking efforts by being on the executive team of Furman University’s chapter of International Justice Mission, IJM. She is excited to mentor/coach Y4A chapter leaders and looks forward to seeing how they will grow in their role as leaders and their passion to spread awareness about human trafficking.
Tatyana Gonzalez
Y4A Chapter Coach
Tatyana González was a 3-term President of the Olympic High School Y4A Chapter in Charlotte, NC. Tatyana has also interned multiple times with Youth4Abolition for curriculum development, social media and marketing. Tatyana attends Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, majoring in both Religion and Spanish, with a minor in Medicine, Health & Culture. She plans to attend Divinity school after graduating from Furman and explore careers in ministry, non-profit work, public health and education.
Paige Lane
Y4A Chapter Coach
Paige Lane was a four year member of Youth4Abolition of the Olympic High School Y4A chapter in Charlotte, NC. Paige served on the Exec Team as a Secretary, Vice President, and then President. Paige attends UNC Charlotte with a major in History and a double minor in Secondary Education and Women’s Studies. She plans to be a high school history teacher and is excited to bring her passion for ending modern day slavery into the classroom.