Founder Kelly Litvak and Ambassador Courtney Litvak share their story to help others

By Claudia Richter

When Kelly Litvak formed local non profit Childproof America, her intent, as a parent of a child that fell victim to human trafficking right here in Katy, was to help other families or children without the support of a family, navigate the horrors that she and her family faced during an ordeal that she felt ill-equipped to face. Her organization has made such a strong impact that she and her daughter Courtney, the Childproof America Ambassador, were recently invited to the White House for a meeting with Ivanka Trump.

The meeting came about with the help of Texas Congressman Michael McCaul and the strong Texas leadership that wants to address this issue.

With Texas coming in with the second most reports of human trafficking (California has the number one spot), and Houston, being in a border state with oil and gas money, it is considered a hub. Officials have looked to the Litvaks to share their experience to gain insight on how to fight this crime that can end with devastating results. “It was surreal and didn’t sink in until I was there with Ivanka,” says Kelly. “Ivanka wanted to know where the gaps are so that grant money could be aligned strategically with legislation.”

Trump also shared a strong connection with Courtney as she shared her personal story. “I am grateful for the chance to discuss Childproof America at the nation’s capital and our big initiatives to make a lasting change,” says Courtney. Kelly Litvak found that the meeting elevated the work of Childproof America and lends credibility to the organization since people can be overwhelmed with the large number of non profits in existence.

The three part strategy to educate, equip and empower includes: Public Education & Outreach with the ability to have Childproof America speak at an event and educate the audience on sex trafficking and tips for parents and educators in the fight. Also, to help families that are directly impacted. Second includes: Family Guides Program, an effort to meet with families in crisis that need direction amid a slew of organizations that serve the Houston area. And, still in development is the eLearning Parent Curriculum that will equip parents with the “tricks and traps” used by traffickers and will have a cast of actors to depict scenarios that parents can learn from in a visual format. 

A recent event at Methodist West Hospital drew over 1000 attendees that watched a presentation and also heard Courtney’s personal story. Going public and offering hope and encouragement has been instrumental in the success of the organization and Litvak has a lot of information to share. “The absolute key is education,” she says. “I did not know the signs when it happened to us. Our daughter was an all American girl, an athlete and raised in a happy home and good community.” Still, it can happen when someone is in a vulnerable state. “Social Media is a gateway to get access to our kids,” explain the Litvaks. “The recent government has also had sites taken down.” The mother and daughter have no plans to stop any time soon and will continue in their efforts to speak to the truth of human trafficking. Their program could become the state model to take the lead. “Healing comes from advocacy,” says Litvak. “Courtney and I are on the frontlines. How can I not do something with what we have been through? This was a complete nightmare, the most painful, and traumatic event our family has faced. Our motives are pure and we will stay focused on this issue.”

Pictured above: Courtney Litvak, Ivanka Trump, Kelly Litvak and Michael McCaul at the White House. Photo Credit: Andrea Hanks-White House