PEAS In Their Pod Organization helps find missing Black children

Unheard Voices has collaborated with PEAS In Their Pod to find missing children in United States.

It is our strong belief through networking and community involvement that it will increase the potential of finding our kids. There are many of our kids that go missing each year in the United States to be never heard or seen of again. These missing children have lost voices and need to be heard.

Unheard Voices had the opportunity to ask questions to Gaetane F. Borders, Ed.S. President, Peas In Their Pods about the PEAS organization. Check out interview below:

Can you give the UV audience a background on what is P.E.A.S and why it was started?

Peas In Their Pods was started in 2007 by Janice Lowery to bring awareness to the epidemic rate at which children of color go missing in this country. Most people are not aware that a child is reported missing every 40 seconds, and that 42 percent of these children are of color. Moreover, African American children receive the least amount of media coverage when they go missing, thereby limiting the process of a quick response times and ultimately, recovery.

What are the main goals of PEAS?

PEAS In Their Pods (PEAS) has numerous goals, but all related to helping to keep children safe. First and foremost, we offer stress prevention. We instruct families and the community at large about the key steps they can take to prevent their child from becoming the next statistic.

Next, we focus on educating families on the important steps they must take if their child is missing. The first 24 hours are the most crucial and can make all the difference in recovery time.

Another major goal that PEAS has is to spread awareness, and making the nation aware that children of color do go missing, despite their near void in the media.

Lastly, we offer support to the families of missing children and guide them every step of the way.

How did you come up with name PEAS?
Our goal is to keep all the “peas” (a.k.a. children) safe in their “pods” (homes).

How have PEAS  made a difference in helping to find our missing children.
Over the years, the organization has had the opportunity to work with countless families. We have many success stories that can be shared where children have been reunited with their loved ones. We work very hard to advocate for families of the missing by sharing their stories on our weekly online radio show. We also share their images and stories in our monthly online magazine. In addition, we created an alert system called the RILYA Alert which helps to bridge the gap between the Amber Alert and the needs of the community. This alert allows us to disseminate information quickly in the hopes that it will lead to a safe recovery.

How can  the people who are reading this story get involved with PEAS

Much of our work revolves around supporters who forward our RILYA Alerts, and who notify us of missing children. We encourage people to visit our website (www.peasintheirpods.com) to learn more about us, but also to look at the faces of the missing children listed on the site. They may recognize a child, and could be the one to solve their case. They can stay up to date on missing children by following us on Facebook and on Twitter (@rilyaalert). Most importantly, we need everyone to pass on information about the missing to their network.

To get involved with missing children or if you have any information on missing children please visit our website by clicking P.E.A.S