Cherry Kingsley has been a powerful factor in bringing awareness to child & human rights issues and exploitation. She is a founding member of the National Youth in Care Network, Co-Chair of the first ever International Summit of Sexually Exploited Youth, has authored Finding Our Way and co-authored Sacred Lives .

As an Aboriginal young person of fourteen, Cherry Kingsley suffered abuse and sexual exploitation on the streets of Vancouver . Having carved out an existence on the street for eight years, Cherry Kingsley has seen it all. Through her own healing and by re-connecting with her native culture, Cherry found the will not only to change her life, but also to share her own experiences to help others.

She knows first-hand that children are vulnerable, and are often preyed upon by adults out to exploit their youth. Cherry has worked hard to convey that we must not continue to victimize the victims but, rather, to work with youth to find solutions.

"Children do not choose this kind of life and will continue to be preyed upon unless we do something to stop it.” , Cherry states.

UNICEF invited Cherry to address the 1996 World Congress Against Commercial Exploitation of Children in Stockholm . Senator Landon Pearson and Cherry planned and co-chaired, "Out From the Shadows", an international summit on sexually exploited youth. Cherry received the Governor General's Award for her advocacy on behalf of children who are sexually exploited. Her life provides the inspiration to bring change for youth across the country.

"If you rob a bank, you get a minimum of five years in this country… ­ You can rob a child of their innocence, of their life, of their childhood and, chances are, you won't see a day in court let alone a day in jail! We in this society need to protect our children with the vigilance and zeal that we protect our property and our money." Cherry Kingsley

Homelessness, drugs, violence, and property damage have been in the forefront in Kelowna recently. But WHO is speaking out for the children who are being exploited ? Do we even know? Do we care? What can be done?

C A S E Y invites you to share an evening with Cherry as she shares her story and reminds us that Our Youth are NOT for Sale ! Sex does not need to be trafficked in our backyard!