Across the United States, children, women and men are victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking is lucrative and has been likened to modern-day slavery, subjecting its victims to forced labor, prostitution, migrant farming, and more. Last week, President Obama proclaimed January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. And today, January 11, is the day to raise awareness.

Last fall, as the Boston Global Citizenship Fellow, I had the privilege of being part of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. The campaign was everywhere in Boston: in schools, in shops, at community events, farmers markets, and at private fundraisers. The amount of energy that people put into raising awareness and funds for UNICEF was incredible. Here are some of my favorite Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF moments.

After the temporary loss of our New York headquarters in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is determined to continue fighting for the world’s children. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF has been operating at full capacity since the storm. Within two days of the hurricane, almost 50 staffers had moved into emergency offices in northern Manhattan. Our six regional offices around the country are all up and running. Whatever difficulties we may face right now, we won’t put the world’s children on hold. The stakes are simply too high.

U.S. Fund for UNICEF President and CEO, Caryl Stern, along with UNICEF supporter Dena Kaye, will be on NBC’s Today Show on Wednesday morning to honor the life and talent of UNICEF’s first Goodwill Ambassador Danny Kaye. Hosts will highlight Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and the contributions Danny made to our 62-year old campaign.

With the passing of former Sen. George McGovern (D-SD), the world has lost a consistent champion for global development and the elimination of hunger and disease. Although he lost his race for President in 1972, his impact has been felt across the years on a wide range of humanitarian issues. In these partisan times, it is encouraging to note how he and former Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) collaborated after their Senate careers to propose the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which has provided meals to 22 million children in 41 countries. I am also privileged to share that Sen. McGovern gave me my start on Capitol Hill.

When violent events occur, such as the recent shooting of 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai, it’s natural to want to protect children from the terrifying details as they unfold in the media. Yet in an age of pervasive communications technology, it is impossible to shield children—especially once they reach school age—from unpleasant world events. There are ways, however, that we as educators and family members can help youth to cope with and make sense of tragedy in the world around them. Here are some suggestions.