Years ago, Carissa was abandoned in the lobby of the juvenile hall in Fresno. She ran away from group homes and ended up on the streets. Homeless and alone, she begged and stole to feed herself.
Foster care ignored her. The juvenile justice system failed her.
With no one to turn to, she was taken to “Motel Drive,†a street in Fresno known for prostitution, and told what to do.
She was twelve years old.
Amazingly, Carissa turned her life around. She has graduated from UCLA with a law degree and an MBA in June 2007. Recently she began speaking to kids in juvenile hall, showing them it is possible not only to survive, but to thrive.
Carissa is now the subject of an upcoming documentary, "Carissa," directed by filmmaker David Sauvage. The film has already begun to serve as a platform for Carissa to share her story. Recently submitted to Sundance for consideration, the film is executive produced by an Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker. An upcoming song by Mandi Perkins will serve as another tool to raise awareness and help Carissa start her foundation.
In conjunction with the film, Carissa has partnered with two major corporations that have further inspired her to raise awareness for homeless & at-risk youth. She is serving as a national spokesperson, with the singer Jewel, on the issue of teen homelessness for the RE*Generation, Virgin Mobile USA's pro-social marketing campaign that is helping a generation help its own. She is also working with The Dodger's Dream Foundation to encourage mentors to reach out to at-risk youth in the greater Los Angeles area.
To learn more, please visit the Carissa Project website at http://www.carissaproject.com .
Stop the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in your neighborhood. Here are some local organizations:
- San Diego: http://www.sandiegoactionnetwork.org Los Angeles: http://www.childrenofthenight.org San Francisco: http://www.sagesf.org/ New York: http://www.gems-girls.org/ Chicago: http://www.caase.org/ Others: http://www.polarisproject.org/
If you're in an emergency call 9-1-1. If you're dealing with sexual trafficking in any way call 888-3737-888.
STANDUP 4KIDS - (800) 365 4-KIDS
NINELINE - (800) 999-9999
HOTLINE - (800) RUNAWAY
Mandi's song, "On My Own (Carissa's Song)" was inspired by formerly homeless teen, Carissa Phelps, subject of the upcoming documentary "Carissa." You can now purchase the song, and support our nations' homeless youth. All song sales go directly to the Carissa Foundation.
The Carissa Foundation is counting on your financial assistance to enable the support of prostituted children and teens through youth outreach, awareness campaigns, and technical assistance to community led efforts to end prostitution of children and teens in their neighborhood.
By purchasing Mandi Perkins' single "On My Own," you are helping to support our nation's youth. 100% of all song sales go directly to the Carissa Foundation.
If you are able to make an additional donation to the Carissa Foundation, please follow the link below to the donation page. As the Carissa Foundation awaits 501(c)3 approval, donations are accepted through our fiscal sponsor: Creative Visions.
If you donate online, please write THE CARISSA FOUNDATION in the comment section when making the credit card payment. This will ensure that your contribution will be directed towards funding the Carissa Foundation's projects.
To contribute, please go to: http://www.creativevisions.org/projects/carissa.html