Physical - Change Agents

I decided there was no choice but to change when I was 14 and hopped on the scale and the numbers zoomed up to 297 lbs. I couldn't even walk to the mailbox without being out of breath. Now at 17 after losing 150 lbs, I just ran with the Olympic torch. Everybody has a spark in them. You've got to find the right match to light it.

~ Taylor LeBaron, best-selling author of:
Cutting Myself in Half: 150 Pounds Lost One Byte at a Time

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ChangeBooks

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Change Agent: Physical

Childhelp USA

www.ChildhelpUSA.org or 1-800-4-A-CHILD is dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused and neglected children. Operates the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline, residential treatment facilities for severely abused children, child advocacy centers that reduce the trauma of child abuse victims during the interview and examination process, group homes, foster family selection, training and certification, Head Start programs for at-risk children, child abuse prevention programs, and community outreach.

Children’s Defense Fund

www.ChildrensDefense.org or 202-628-8787.

Child Welfare League of America

www.CWLA.org advocacy provides information on child advocacy, statistics on abuse and neglect, foster care, and child welfare.

Cincinnati Works

www.CincinnatiWorks.org offers a nationally-recognized new model to help people in poverty become economically self-sufficient. This innovative nonprofit developed a pilot program called Next Steps to help former foster youth ages 18-25 find and retain jobs. Through the Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence, it provided the employment piece to help some of the city’s most violent felons become productive, gainfully employed citizens. With co-founder Liane Phillips, Echo Garrett co-wrote Why Don’t They Just Get a Job? One Couple’s Mission to End Poverty in their Community (aha! Process, March 2010) http://www.whydonttheyjustgetajob.com

The Family Violence Prevention Fund

www.EndAbuse.org provides materials, which can be ordered, including “No Excuse for Abuse” materials and health care provider brochures.

The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

www.ISPCAN.org has a mission to prevent cruelty to children in every nation, in every form: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, street children, child fatalities, child prostitution, children of war, emotional abuse, and child labor.

Liz Claiborne’s teen dating violence website

www.LoveIsNotAbuse.com has great information for both those living with violence and their friends and family.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

www.MissingKids.com or 1-800-THE-LOST provides assistance to parents, children, law enforcement, schools, and the community in recovering missing children and raising public awareness about ways to help prevent child abduction, molestation, and sexual exploitation. The Center sponsors the CyberTipLine for online reporting of the sexual exploitation or molesting of children.

The National Center for Victims of Crime

www.NCVC.org includes materials on domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) or www.TheHotline.org

The National Domestic Violence Hotline creates access by providing 24-hour support through advocacy, safety planning, resources and hope to everyone affected by domestic violence.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

www.NCADV.org contains current information for survivors and those dealing with violence.

The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

www.NRCDV.org features various publications and resources for organizations and individuals working to end domestic violence.

National Sexual Assault Hotline

1.800.656.HOPE (4673)

ONE

www.ONE.org is a grassroots campaign and advocacy organization backed by more than 2 million people who are committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. Cofounded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE is nonpartisan and works closely with African policy makers and activists.

Legal information for female crime victims

www.WomensLaw.org, including referrals and detailed protective/restraining order information, state by state.

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

www.RAINN.org, the largest anti-sexual assault organization in the U.S., offers trained counselors that help victims and often refers them to vital resources.