Not For Sale: Nonprofit Protects Metro Children From Predators

EDITOR'S NOTE: As Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta approached, Patch devoted exclusive and extensive coverage to the issue of human trafficking as it related to one of the world's biggest sporting events. Now that the game is over, Patch remains committed to covering this international plague with our continuing focus on local efforts to combat the crime.

ATLANTA -- This past year's steady flow of news stories on sexual abuse of minors has underscored for Alli and David Neal how important their current mission in life is. Over the past 10 years, the husband and wife team have devoted huge amounts of time and energy, as well as their own financial resources, to building Revved Up Kids, a small metro Atlanta-based nonprofit that teaches kids how to recognize, avoid and, if necessary, escape sexual predators.

Since launching the organization, the two have been dedicated to their belief that the best way to heal the pain and suffering from this type of abuse is to prevent it in the first place.

"Children's lives are profoundly affected by this type of abuse," said Ms. Neal. "That's why we work tirelessly every day to protect Atlanta's children from this horror and to help victims understand the importance of disclosing what has happened to them."

Revved Up Kids is the only nonprofit in Atlanta focused solely on sexual-abuse prevention training. Its reach has been expanding every year, and so far, it has trained almost 20,000 children and teens. By 2020, its goal is to train 1,000 young people each week.

Given Revved Up Kids' mission, Ms. Neal said she and her husband were thrilled to see Georgia lawmakers pass Senate Bill 401, also referred to as Erin's Law, last spring. The law requires all public-school students in kindergarten through ninth grade to annually undergo age-appropriate, prevention-oriented training about sexual abuse and assault.

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"This law shows us that our leaders are getting serious about this issue and that they recognize the importance of prevention training for our children," she said, adding that Revved Up Kids has already begun working with schools to help carry out the Georgia mandate.

As the organization continues to pursue its mission, Revved Up Kids' founders are grateful to everyone who has helped the nonprofit accomplish what it has so far. And although much work lies ahead, Ms. Neal noted that it's important to celebrate the strides it has made.

Toward that end, Revved Up Kids invites the community to celebrate its many accomplishments and support its future goals by attending Shamrock 'n Roll, a St. Patrick's-themed casino party. The event will be held Friday, March 15, at the exclusive Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek.

Ms. Neal said she was thrilled to have Honest-1 Auto of Johns Creek and East Cobb, plus 21 additional companies, signed on to sponsor the event.

"The support of our community, including these amazing sponsors, has a huge impact on our ability to reach more children with our life-saving training," she said. "This event offers a fun way for everyone to join Revved Up Kids in protecting children."

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Image Revved Up Kids