While Mercedes Benz Stadium and businesses all around metro-Atlanta prepare for the influx of visitors for the biggest game of the year, Covenant House Georgia is preparing for the fallout of the Super Bowl occurring in a city which is already very much plagued with sex trafficking. On February 3, 2019, the two best NFL teams will compete in Super Bowl LIII. The Super Bowl will bring more than just a sporting event to Atlanta, it will bring concerts, fireworks, parties, parades, and, inevitably, sex trafficking.
Covenant House Georgia’s leadership team has been actively involved with preparing the city of Atlanta for the impact of Super Bowl LIII. This week, we were able to sit down with our executive director, Dr. Alie Redd, to hear more about how Covenant House will be helping vulnerable young people before, during, and after the Super Bowl.
Dr. Redd: The Super Bowl occurring in Atlanta will affect the youth in both positive and negative ways. The Super Bowl has already affected youth at CHGA in Atlanta by creating employment opportunities and raising awareness about youth homelessness and trafficking resulting in increased community support. However, the Super Bowl also creates an atmosphere in which youth are flocking to the city with hopes, false promises, and looking to celebrate and/or seek financial opportunity. Unfortunately, there is an egregious underground market and criminal ring that sells and buys kids for sex that accompanies large events like the Super Bowl.
Dr. Redd: CHGA has been involved in preparing the city for the impact of the Super Bowl by serving on several committees with the International Human Trafficking Institute and the Super Bowl Host Committee. The committees have discussed ideas surrounding the issue of sex trafficking by generating awareness, advocacy, policy development, training, and outreach. CHGA also hosted a community panel discussion with WonderRoot in advance of the Super Bowl. Our panelists, youth, and staff served as inspiration for the murals being painted around the city to highlight Atlanta's civil rights legacy. Additionally, we are preparing our shelter for the possible increase of youth needing our services; this includes an increase in staffing and resources to better serve a larger number of youth.
Dr. Redd: CHGA will provide shelter and support services during and after the Super Bowl for youth who are experiencing homelessness and who are escaping/being rescued from trafficking. We also partner with the outreach team that is teaching attendees what to look for and what to do in the event they suspect trafficking. We will teach volunteers about the hidden forms of human trafficking and how to help those who are victims of trafficking. We also have a street team seeking out youth and encouraging them to take advantage of our shelter, housing programs, and supportive services.
Dr. Redd: There are many ways for donors and volunteers to help homeless and trafficked youth, like signing up to prepare and serve a meal to our youth or to go on street outreach. Other ways to get involved include donating hygiene kits for the outreach team or making a monetary donation to support our program. We also encourage people to get involved by having a group or corporate service dayor signing up for one of our upcoming Sleep Outs which raise awareness and funds for Covenant House.
With the help of our amazing supporters, Covenant House Georgia is able to provide support to the homeless, runaway, and trafficked youth of Atlanta.
