Project North Star

Project North Star is a club I founded at San Diego State University, dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking. My friends and I came together to build this club, and I took on the role of founder and president to help guide our efforts. The name “Project North Star” draws inspiration from the Polaris or North Star. A guiding light that travelers have relied on for navigation. We wanted this club to embody that same guiding spirit, offering hope and direction for victims of trafficking and those working to make a difference.

The inspiration to start this club came from a video I saw at fourteen, where parents frantically searched for their child at an airport. The message at the end struck me: if losing a child for minutes is terrifying, imagine losing them for months or even years. That moment stayed with me, and as a junior, I finally had the opportunity and network to turn my passion into action on campus.

One of our proudest achievements was hosting a significant awareness event in the student union, attended by about 150 people, in collaboration with the Aztec Catholic Church. Eva Guerra, representing Aztec Catholic, played a crucial role in helping us organize the event. The event blended fun with education, featuring games like Jenga, Uno, and Snakes and ladders. Between rounds, participants read flashcards aloud, learning more about human trafficking. To ease the weight of the topic, we invited two bands to perform and ended the night with a salsa dance session. I also gave speeches during the event, raising awareness about the cause and inspiring others to take action.

Beyond spreading awareness, we took meaningful action by raising funds to support organizations actively fighting trafficking. These organizations use the funds for call centers assisting victims and for rescue operations carried out by field professionals. We also hosted social events, such as a collaborative bonfire with the Political Science Club (PSSO), where we connected with like-minded students and exchanged ideas. Founding Project North Star has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, blending strategy, collaboration, and advocacy to drive meaningful change on campus.

• Leadership: Guided the establishment of the club, coordinated events, and collaborated with other organizations to make an impact on campus.

• Event Planning: Organized awareness and social events, ensuring smooth coordination, from logistics to participant engagement.

• Public Speaking: Delivered impactful speeches during events to inspire attendees and raise awareness about human trafficking.

• Collaboration: Worked closely with the Aztec Catholic Church and other clubs like PSSO, strengthening community partnerships.

• Fundraising: Raised funds to support organizations actively involved in combating trafficking and assisting victims.

• Advocacy: Developed strategies to effectively communicate the importance of human trafficking awareness to diverse audiences.

• Community Building: Fostered a supportive environment where members and collaborators connected over a shared cause.

• Problem-solving: Managed challenges related to organizing large-scale events and balancing heavy topics with engaging activities.

• Networking: Built relationships with campus organizations and advocacy groups, expanding the reach of the club’s mission.

• Creativity: Designed interactive activities like games and flashcard sessions to engage participants in learning about complex issues.