Operation Rescue Children has achieved 501(c)3 status. Since 2019, the founding team has been assembling a world-class team of trainers, combat scientists, administrators, Board of Advisors, and Board of Directors. In that time, the organization has carried out proof-of-concept trainings worldwide to prove the need and impact for our mission. With this leadership and initial effort, our mission has taken shape and is now legally recognized as a non-profit.

Founding Operation Rescue Children

In 2019, the idea for Operation Rescue Children was conceptualized by Harley Elmore, Master of Combat Science, and Dr. Keith Waggoner, Clinical Psychologist. While many organizations focus on the act of rescuing women and children from human trafficking rings, or provide rehabilitation services for the victims, Elmore and Waggoner saw a lack of training for anti-human trafficking operators. Law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations, and missionaries carrying out this dangerous work are often underfunded and lacking practical skills and equipment. Thus, their goal was to use their unique knowledge and skills to create an organization that supports the rescuers by providing the tools and training for individuals and teams worldwide.

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The team immediately took action. In January 2020, Elmore and Waggoner partnered with Love Justice International and provided their first training mission for local rescue teams in Southeast Asia. The mission proved a major success. However, as the world entered the COVID-era, travel bans and social distancing mandates made it difficult to offer in-person training. However, the founders used this time to raise awareness and bring together a powerful team of administrators, leaders, and missionaries. Together, this team established foundational materials necessary to officially organize as a non-profit.

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In May 2021, as the pandemic subsided, the team applied for non-profit status. After more than a year and a half from beginning the process, Operation Rescue Children received its 501(c)3 tax-exempt status in September 2022. You can find Financial Statements for Operation Rescue Children on our website.

How to Support Operation Rescue Children

501(c)3 status enables us to grow and scale our capabilities to reach more organizations through events, fundraisers, and gifts. Your donation is now a tax deductible expense. There are a number of ways you can financially support Operation Rescue Children. 

AmazonSmile

Operation Rescue Children is on AmazonSmile! AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same prices, selection and shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. 

Donate Through GiveButter

Visit our GiveButter page to donate directly to Operation Rescue Children. 100% of your donations go toward trainings for law enforcement agencies, special operations teams, non-governmental organizations and missionaries to carry out the dangerous and necessary work of rescuing women and children from slavery.

Other Ways to Give

We are looking to grow our team! Whether you have skills in business development, law, marketing, psychology, combat science, or simply a passion for doing good in the world, contact us to learn more about ways you can get involved with our mission. 

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