John,

He’s the very definition of vulnerable.
 
Austin* just wanted to be loved. He longed for the feeling of connection. He found it through the dating app “Tinder.”
 
He was just 12 years old.
 
His “popularity” on the app soared. He made multiple connections with different adult males in his area. He traded sexual favors for money, gifts, and attention. His family had zero knowledge of his actions.
 
After months of being exploited, Austin wanted out. He finally told his parents what was happening. They quickly contacted law enforcement …
 
Austin is now in specialized care, receiving support and real love at our partner’s safe house.
 
Thanks to the support of friends like you, he’s receiving hope, healing, and restoration. Austin is in therapy. And our partner is working hard to help him one day return to his family and community.
 
You make it possible.
 
Lives are being restored thanks to your generous support of Shared Hope. When you give, you make a real impact. A life-transforming difference.

  So many more kids like Austin are vulnerable to online exploitation since the COVID-19 crisis erupted. Screen time has skyrocketed for children who are staying home.
 
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) recently said it had recorded a 106% increase in CyberTipline reports of suspected child sexual exploitation — rising from 983,734 reports in March 2019 to 2,027,520 in March of this year.
 
We must prevent more kids like Austin from being exploited.
 
Your gift now will go twice as far toward our crucial work of preventing trafficking, restoring broken lives, and bringing justice to those already targeted, and to those who target them.
 
Thanks to our Keep Hope Alive Matching Challenge, any amount you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar, its impact doubled, up to the $104,000 total.
 
We’ve made progress toward the Matching Challenge goal, but we’re not there yet. We know these are challenging financial times for many. If you are able, please help us take advantage of this Matching Challenge for the sake of vulnerable youth like Austin.
 
Their situations are serious. We must protect them. Thank you. God bless you!
 
Linda Smith
Founder and President
 
*Name changed for protection
 
P.S. We will not step back and let the predators have our children. Your Matching Challenge gift right now will help keep all of this work going and more. Any gift you give today, large or small, will be a blessing — and will be matched dollar-for-dollar, its impact doubled. Thank you again!