41. A Mission to End Human Trafficking: The Story of Guardian Group - Jeff Keith
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Overview
Meet Jeff. He's on a mission to disrupt U.S. sex trafficking networks and protect America’s children. Why? Because human trafficking is fastest growing crime in the world right now. "The enslavement of people is the fastest growing crime is not normal. And it’s not ok." Hard to discuss, but THIS right here requires community to eradicate it. Let's do our part, friends.
Today’s Guest
Jeff Keith, Founder, The Guardian Group
“We are driven by the one, but our mission is for the many. Until all are free.”
Jeff’s journey, and the story that led him to found Guardian Group
Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world right now
How Jeff has developed partnerships to take their mission further
The importance of servant leadership in the Guardian Group mission
How Guardian Group is driven by the one, but their mission is for the many
When you understand the reality of an issue, you can be a part of the solution
Jeff waited for results before he asked for philanthropic help
Educate yourself, look for indicators, and raise your voice
Jeff’s One Good Thing: Honor your donors. They are heroes for giving their hard earned money. People don’t like to be treated like a checkbook.
Powerful Quotes:
“I had a vision of a guardian. I had the idea that I wanted an army of guardians around the United States that are in law enforcement, district attorney offices, teachers, parents, people that are funding organizations, and for 10 years we’ve been doing that.” -Jeff
“This is the fastest growing crime in the world right now.” -Jeff
“We’re employing the best to go after a problem that deserves that.” -Jeff
“We’re not just about advocacy and awareness, we are about stopping this issue.” -Jeff
“Once you find out about this problem, you can’t not see it.” -Jeff
“What is the impact if you are just admiring the problem?” -Jeff
“If we only helped one person, that is still one daughter, one niece, one somebody.” -Becky
“It ruins you. This isn’t something you turn on and off. Being a parent is what leads and guides Guardian Group. We are driven by the one, but our mission is for the many. Until all are free.” -Jeff
“I want our kids to know the reality of this, because they get to be a part of the solution.” -Jeff
“Let’s stop closing our eyes to this. Let’s stop pretending we live in a country where everyone has freedom, because not everyone does.” -Jeff
“We’ve trained a lot of law enforcement, hotel employees, healthcare workers, and every time we do training, we get calls within a week that arrests were made. Once your eyes are open you can be a part of it more.” -Jeff
“Those that are giving, whether $5, $1,000,000, they are the real heroes as well. We have to acknowledge that and treat them like that. People don’t want to be treated like checkbooks.” -Jeff
“Victims of injustice in our world don’t need our spasms of passion, they need our long obedience in the same direction, our legs and lungs of endurance.”
Guardian Group Free Trainings
Become a Guardian
Join a community of monthly donors committed to creating the necessary reliable and sustainable support required to make a lasting impact on this crime. The Guardians are vital to the work being done to combat sex trafficking and without them this fight would look very different.
Connect with Jeff
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