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Hidden in Plain Sight: Dr. Kelly Burns on Human Trafficking
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Today on the Elevated Hope Project, we are honored to share the story of Dr. Kelly Burns, Superintendent of the Yavapai County Accommodation District and one of Arizona's most passionate advocates in the fight against human trafficking. What started as a routine professional development day turned into a mission she has not stopped fighting for since.
This conversation with Dr. Kelly Burns is about what happens when you stop looking away.
Not the comfortable conversations. Not the easy topics. The ones that make you shift in your seat, look around the room differently and realize the threat is closer than you ever imagined.
Dr. Kelly breaks down what human trafficking actually looks like in schools, in rural communities, in hotels and on social media. She talks about how educators, parents and everyday citizens can recognize the warning signs, what to do when something feels off and why staying silent is never the safe option. From identifying victims in her own school to witnessing trafficking firsthand at a hotel in St. Louis, this episode is a wake-up call.
If you are a parent, a teacher, a school administrator or simply someone who cares about protecting kids, this is a conversation you need to hear.
The truth is simple. It is happening in your community. The only question is whether you are going to be the one who sees it.
This episode will challenge how you think about safety, awareness and what it means to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Project Starfish: www.projectstarfish.education
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
#humantrafficking #childprotection #education #awareness #schoolleadership #antitraficking #stophumantrafficking #elevatededucation #elevatedhope #resilience #communityaction #parentingtips #safeschools #yavapai #arizona
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The Elevated Hope Project is a podcast by Elevated Education that shares real stories of students who have overcome challenging life circumstances to graduate high school. It highlights resilience, perseverance, and the power of education to create change.
The podcast is produced by Elevated Education, an organization dedicated to helping students succeed academically and in life. James Meehan, Chris Meehan, and Sarah Spangler are the hosts!
Our guests are students who have faced adversity—such as poverty, family struggles, or difficult environments—and found a way to persevere and graduate high school. Each episode features a personal journey of resilience and triumph.
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