Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them most and filling an emptiness they never knew they had. That’s exactly what rescue has done for us. We got involved with DREAM shortly after uprooting our entire life and moving to Houston where we didn’t know a single soul. It’s been a way for us to do something we love while meeting some pretty spectacular people along the way!

We’ve helped rescue MANY animals but one who sticks out the most is Wasabi Pud. Wasabi is a 16 year old, overweight dachshund whose family dumped him at a shelter to be euthanized. He wasn’t sick, didn’t have heartworms or cancer. He was simply old and overweight.

The minute we saw that old, sweet frosty snout and those sad eyes in a Facebook plea, we knew we had to give him a second chance at life. A better life than he could ever imagine.  With the help of DREAM, that’s exactly what we’ve done!

Wasabi has become our Forever Foster, which means he’ll live the rest of his life with us!  The volunteer who picked him up from the shelter said “I will never forget how sad he looked when I picked him up!”

Wasabi’s life now consists of sleeping every night on a pillow-top mattress between us, on his own pillow along with seven other long fur siblings.  He enjoys naps on our wood floors because it’s cold on his underbelly. He gets kisses daily and is carried around a lot. His dad brushes his teeth. He is on a diet, but still gets to lick the empty ice cream containers and dirty dishes.

Wasabi also does water aerobics, which he is not crazy about but it’s good for his joints and it’s helped him to drop weight. He has a pep in his step, and his belly no longer drags the ground. He’s so content now, he sleeps with a smile on his face.

We don’t know what his previous life was like but we promise, until he takes his last breath, we’ll treat him like a king and show him love every single day. If we could change one thing, we wish we could have met him sooner so we could love him longer.

We thought we rescued him. It turns out he rescued us.

Going through a hurricane whether you were directly impacted or not makes us all susceptible to victimization. Our youth are sadly at risk for a myriad of reasons – some may have been displaced, some may be suffering from anxiety over the situation in general or simply by watching the news, and others may feel unsafe. Perpetrators pray on those vulnerabilities. They may extend help by offering a safe place to stay, provide necessities like clothes and shoes, offer the person a job, lend an ear to listen, and can sometimes pose as a love interest. These things may sound helpful and can be if the giver has good intentions. If these offerings have strings attached and/or involves exploiting the person through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of forced labor, commercial sex, or both then it is considered human trafficking.

Here are some things you should know: 
•    Victimization can start off online and can evolve into face to face.
•    Students can also be lured at school, home, or any public place.
•    Perpetrators can be fellow students, friends, family members, employers… really anyone, and it’s important to note that 91% of the time they are known to the victim.
•    13 is the average age of a human trafficking victim, this includes males and females
•    Many human trafficking victims are hidden in plain sight.

There are different types of human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking. Knowing the signs will help you recognize potential human trafficking situations.

Signs for Sex Trafficking include:
•    Chronic runaway/homeless
•    Excess cash
•    Hotel keys/cards
•    Sexually explicit profiles on social media
•    Repeated absences
•    Prepaid cell phones
•    Signs of branding (tattoo, scars)
•    Suspicious injuries
•    Broken teeth
•    Presence of an older boyfriend
•    Unable/unwilling to give local address or information on parents

Signs of Labor Trafficking include:
•    Expresses need to pay off debt
•    Works long hours with little or no payment
•    Cares for unrelated children
•    Concern for family’s safety
•    Living with employer

Anyone who has knowledge or reason to believe that a child is being abused or victimized in any way must report! This is our duty as Texans and not just a mandate for school and medical professionals. We all have a duty to report. Even if you are not certain, report! It’s better to err on the side of safety than to face penalties and possibly subject a child to further victimization.  Don’t fret over what type of crime is taking place, remember that some victims may not know that what is happening to them is human trafficking and that is what our criminal justice and legal system is for.

You have 48 hours to report, failure to comply can result in the following punishment:
•    Class A misdemeanor – Imprisonment of up to 1 year and/or a fine of up to $4,000 or
•    State Jail Felony – Imprisonment of 180 days to 2 years and/or a fine up to $10,000

Who should you call to report? 
•    FBI Innocence Lost Task Force – Houston Division 713-693-5000
•    DFPS – 1-800-252-5400
•    Crime Stoppers of Houston – Call our anonymous 24/7 Tip Line at 713-222-TIPS (8477) at any time to report any information you may have about human trafficking. You will remain 100% anonymous.

Awareness plays a critical role in the prevention of human trafficking, and Crime Stoppers of Houston offers community at large presentations, as well as school presentations for students, school staff and parents on human trafficking. To book a presentation, please email phollek@crime-stoppers.org.

Written by Aoi*

Everyone has their own favorite activities, be it sports, chess, crossword, quiz bowl, film, acting, or gaming. Everyone has their own tastes in what they enjoy doing in their spare time, then why is it that people make fun of others for joining other clubs, what makes being part of football or lacrosse any better than being part of a foreign language club or a traditional dance club. It perplexes me why it even matters why high school students even care about what others enjoy doing, everyone has a different idea of fun, so why does this happen, I think the answer is far simpler than you may think. It has to do with how popular culture and how social media is covered.

Think about it, until recently you would never hear about things like large scale gaming tournaments but you would always hear about a football game or what game changing play a team member made. It seems when things are exposed more to the mainstream media the more it will be tolerated and loved. For example, it happened with gaming, a few years back if you asked someone to play Counter strike or Overwatch they would look at you funny and ask to play something more mainstream, nowadays due to Counter Strike and Overwatch tournaments being aired on ESPN people love and enjoy playing those games. So back to the question, why do people make fun of others for liking different things? It goes back to what I said earlier, there seems to be a correlation between what is mainstream and what is liked, because things such as culture clubs are not typically talked about in any mainstream forms of media. It’s viewed as strange, weird and foreign and thus people think you are strange, it’s cruel and it doesn’t make sense, but there is a way to change this.

That is to expose it, make flyers at your school for the events at your culture club, make more interactive events with other clubs, and maybe make a little quiz game with another club for a fundraiser. There is always a way to make the things you love something that other people can enjoy too, don’t be afraid to show what you love to other people, it could very well make someone else happy. Don’t just roll over and let society`s norms take control of what you love and enjoy doing, go out and share that love with others. If we never did that then some of our favorite things wouldn’t be possible, lots of art pieces would never come to exist, various sports wouldn’t even be here. Just remember that next time someone gives you a hard time about what you like, who’s to say your interest won`t take the world by storm next, it may very well. Enjoy your hobbies, they make you who you are, and some of them could even make you rich.

 

*Aoi is a pen name.

Written by Aoi*

I can testify that in my own school, that as soon as this show came out there was talk everywhere. I heard a number of things despite not seeing it myself. However I am a film buff, and I see why people my age love this show and why many adults are so confused as to why we love this show. Here is the simple answer: the show is what a lot of teens are going through right now, it shows how harsh life can be at this age.

Technology can be very cruel, and nowadays in high school, different is looked down upon. It is soul crushing, as someone who experiences suicidal thoughts from time to time, I can relate. High school is very much a bubble, and unless you’re really rich, a jock, or a player you are going to be more than likely pushed to the side. But here is a big difference, if you truly are someone that keeps to themselves, don’t mess with anyone, or just sit down stay quiet and go through your day… I hate to say it but that makes you a target for people. There is a lot of pressure in high school, trying to keep your academic and social life in sync is hard enough, but adding bullying to the mix can really feel like hell on earth. Some people really cannot handle it, and this is where the show starts showing how bullyinghas been upgraded in the 21st century. The internet has given people a new outlet. If people have the intent and will, they can and will harass and ruin you behind your back. False rumors can be spread around like wildfire, and it gets worse if you become a meme. That meme will take years to die, and will surely be a reason for anyone to feel upset. You are laughed at as a trend and as a one-sided joke.

13 Reasons Why is popular for simply showing teens exactly what is going on in the underworld of high school. Teens are suckers for things they can relate to, and it has adults perplexed because there are very few “edgy” and down to earth things that are targeted toward teens. They are used to seeing somewhat inoffensive things like Taylor Swift or Justin Bieber who talk about trivial teenage things. Things like relationships, and being free, and then here comes this show that says to hell with that we don’t care about that, this is what is really happening. The show doesn’t try to hide what’s happening with a cut away or with symbolism like in most shows or movies. The show is clearly out to make a statement on the rise of teen stress, depression and suicide, and the show’s creators clearly do not care who opposes them. Otherwise, the show would have been removed from Netflix, and we wouldn’t be here discussing it now, would we?

*Aoi is a pen name.

—————————————————

Thank you KHOU, Great Day Houston and Deborah Duncan for dedicating a one hour special to discuss 13 Reasons Why.

Deborah did a great job interviewing teens, parents and experts. Here are links from today’s show (6/12/17):

• Deborah Duncan talks with several local teenagers about the show, “13 Reasons Why” and how it relates to their lives. What do their parents think? What should parents know about the reality of being a teenager? http://www.khou.com/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-houston/teen-panel-06122017/448027868
• Counselors Heather Lambert and Shelly Simpson talk about reason to watch or not watch “13 Reasons Why.” http://www.khou.com/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-houston/13-reasons-counselors-06122017/448029209
• Rania Mankarious, executive director of Crime Stoppers, and licensed counselor Jill Ahrens Tucker discuss Cyber-Bullying in today’s society, along with their mental effects and legal ramifications. http://www.khou.com/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-houston/cyber-bullying-06122017/448029717[To report a tip, please click here!]

• Linda de Sosa and Sahar Paz share their stories of attempted suicide in hopes of helping others. http://www.khou.com/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-houston/suicide-prevention-06122017/448031606
• A panel of licensed therapists, high school counselors and suicide prevention experts join a mountable discussion while Deborah shares questions from our studio audience. http://www.khou.com/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-houston/13-reasons-audience-06122017/448033020

 

Additional resources:

NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255

CRISIS TEXT LINE: TEXT: 741-741

TREVOR LIFELINE: 866-488-7386

http://13reasonswhy.info

http://mhahouston.org/

Crime Stoppers of Houston started their morning on Friday, May 19^threporting two different arrests in hit and runs in the Houston area thanks to anonymous tipsters. This press conference highlighted the two drivers, victims, and the stories behind their cases. Crime Stoppers of Houston Executive Director, Rania Mankarious, District Attorney, Kim Ogg, Chief of the HCDAO Vehicular Crimes Division, Sean Teare, HPC Captain William McPhearson, Sgt. Samuel Acevedo, Officer J.T. Jorsch and Bike Houston’s Advocacy Director, Mary Blitzer attended the press conference along with several other media partners.

Two tips came in to Crime Stoppers within a two-hour time frame which both led to the arrests of the hit and run suspects. Suspect David Legate hit a motorcyclist head on driving along Westheimer and suspect Tawana Atkins hit a bicyclist along Tidwell. Both fatal accidents in which both suspects failed to stop and render.

In 2016, one in five pedestrian fatalities were hit and run related, with an estimated 1,500 deaths a year. What many people don’t realize is failure to stop and attempt to help the victim can result in a 2-20 year sentence. “Stick around,” Kim Ogg states at the press conference. The driver of the vehicle will be better off staying at the scene and calling police then taking off. Sentences could be less harsh by sticking around rather than being caught on the run. “Things will go better for you in our justice system if you do,” Ogg said.

Pedestrian safety is a priority in Houston and continues to be educated on. The more aware pedestrians, cyclists, etc. are, the better off our city will be. Stay on the sidewalks if possible and always wear a helmet! A helmet is the most effective way to prevent head injury in a crash. Also, ensure you are familiar with pedestrian crosswalks and the laws behind riding your bike in the roadways before leaving for your destination.

Crime Stoppers of Houston is extremely thankful for those tipsters who called and reported what they knew. They ask for more tips on unsolved hit and run crimes if anyone out there knows anything. “There are grieving families behind these cases,” Rania Mankarious pleads.

Check out a few of the news reports from our partners below on these two cases:

ABC 13: http://abc13.com/news/mother-of-4-arrested-in-deadly-houston-hit-and-run-case/2012275/

Channel 2: http://www.click2houston.com/news/anonymous-crime-stoppers-tip-leads-to-2-hit-and-run-arrests

Please visit our Facebook page to see the full press conference live:https://www.facebook.com/CrimeStoppersOfHouston/