“Spring Into Safety” 2009

Lisle, Illinois

www.springintosafety.org

Media contact: Autumn Geist-Lombardo at 630-373-7856 or info@springintosafety.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 30, 2009

Abduction Survivor Angela Rose and Abduction Survivor Shawn Hornbeck’s Father Craig Akers will Speak At The 6^th Annual “Spring Into Safety” on Thursday, April 16^th 2009.  This FREE program is to Educate And Protect Our Area Families.

Angela Rose’s 1996 abduction from Schaumburg was among the cases that prompted passage in 1998 of Illinois' Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Angel is the founder of PAVE (Promoting Awareness of Victim Empowerment) and will be a speaker at the upcoming Global Womens Summit.  She has been featured on CNN, NBCs Today Show and in Time Magazine and will share her story with teens (ages 12-18) and their parents.

Kidnapped Shawn Hornbeck’s miraculous return alive in 2007 gave hope to families of missing persons across the country. Shawn's father, Craig Akers will share his experience from a parent's perspective on abduction.  Shawn was abducted at the age of 13 and returned safely five years later. 

The Spring into Safety program promotes education and awareness designed to keep community members and their children safer from abduction and exploitation.

All area Jr. and Sr. High, elementary and middle schools, and daycares are encouraged to attend this event which will be held 4-8 pm at Lisle Senior High School, 1800 Short St. in Lisle. 

Other programs include: 

Escape School,

Safe Internet Program,

DuPage County Sheriff Department's Fingerprinting & DNA Kits

The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation Kids Kardz

RAD Kids presented by the Lisle Police Department

Self Defense / United Martial Arts School, Naperville.

Media contact: Autumn Geist-Lombardo at 630-373-7856 or info@springintosafety.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 12, 2009

Abduction Survivor Angela Rose and Abduction Survivor Shawn Hornbeck’s Father Craig Akers

Will Speak At “Spring Into Safety” 2009 To Educate And Protect Our Area Children

Angela Rose’s 1996 abduction was among the cases that prompted passage in 1998 of Illinois' Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Kidnapped Shawn Hornbeck’s miraculous return alive in 2007 gave hope to families of missing persons across the country. Don’t miss this year’s “Spring Into Safety” where Angela Rose will speak from the viewpoint of an abductee while Shawn Hornbeck’s Father Craig Akers will share the perspective of a kidnapped child’s parents. “Every parent and child should take advantage of this opportunity to learn firsthand how abductions occur and how to avoid them,” said Autumn Geist-Lombardo, Spring Into Safety’s founder.

Spring Into Safety’s 6^th annual program will be held on April 16^th, 2009 at Lisle Senior High School, 1800 Short St., Lisle, IL. Spring Into Safety is an annual event that is offered for FREE and includes education and awareness programs designed to keep community members safer from abduction and exploitation. All area Jr. and Sr. High, elementary and middle schools, daycares, and the like are encouraged to attend this event.

NEW! Angel Rose, founder of PAVE (Promoting Awareness of Victim Empowerment), a survivor of her own abduction and sexual assault and speaker at the upcoming Global Womens Summit will share her story with teens and their parents. “PAVE is a community-based organization that uses social, educational, and legislative tactics to shatter the silence of sexual violence.” Angela Rose’s 1996 abduction was among the cases that prompted passage in 1998 of Illinois' Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Since that time, over 200 convicted sex offenders have been committed as Sexually Violent Persons in Illinois Angela has been featured on CNN, NBCs Today Show and in Time Magazine, to name a few. Angela is a well-known champion for educating and raising awareness of sexual assault among male and female students on college campuses. This engagement is specifically targeted for ages 12-18 and a parent. For more information on Angela, www.angelaroseinfo.com

NEW! Craig Akers of The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation (www.shawnhornbeckfoundation.org ) and father of Shawn Hornbeck, who was abducted at the age of 13 in 2002 and returned safely in January of 2007 will be on hand to share his experience from a parents perspective on abduction.

This year’s program will include the return of Escape School (www.escapeschool.com ), a program targeted for ages 4 and up, with adult companion that educates and empower children to navigate potentially dangerous situations. The presentation is delivered in a kid-friendly manner that teaches children they have a right to be safe. Volunteers are used to reinforce techniques. Escape School was originally created by a police officer and has been seen on Oprah and Good Morning America.

Also on hand will be resource tables featuring Safe Internet Programs, DuPage County Sheriff Department’s fingerprinting and DNA Kits, The Shawn Hornbeck Foundations Kids Kardz, RAD Kids, Self-Defense programs, etc. All programs to take place from 4-8pm. Specific schedule details coming soon at www.springintosafety.org. Contact info: springintosafety@aol.com

Media contact: Autumn Geist-Lombardo at 630-373-7856 or info@springintosafety.org