Many citizens fail to realize how widespread the prostitution business
is or how brutal it can be, particularly for the children or young men
and women recruited into it. Often they are immigrants brought to this
country with no real knowledge of English or they come from fractured
family backgrounds. Unthinkable as it may be, some children can have
their sex changed and then be "pimped out." Now court officials in
Chicago are more cognizant that the truant from school or homeless
person is a victim of the sex trade. When they realize the underlying
problem is prostitution the officials can provide help to the victim.
A Department of Justice grant announced late last week will help the
Salvation Army expand nationwide the Chicago model of PROMISE.
The Salvation Army holds itself up to the standard of "doing the most
good." The Salvation Army is one organization that says what it means
and does what it says. This holiday season there are many presents to
buy. No gift stretches further than a modest gift in the kettle or
donation at a service center. Keep the Army and the hard-working men and
women in your prayers this holiday season. Let's not forget the
forgotten, rejected and impoverished in our society nor those who extend
a helping hand to them.