The Birth of Share The Signal
Our story begins with a moment of inspiration. After attending a business meeting where a district attorney shared harrowing insights about human trafficking, our founder, Don Meredith, couldn’t shake the urgency of the issue. Later that night, at 1:30 a.m., he had a dream—a vision of a world where people could recognize the often-hidden signs of trafficking and act to prevent it.
Determined to turn this vision into reality, Don reached out to (Ret.) Navy Pilot LCDR Doug Lito, who shared his passion for social change. Doug, also an actor in Hollywood, immediately saw the potential in Don’s idea. Together, they recognized the need for a simple, yet universally recognizable, civilian distress signal—something that could be taught, understood, and used by anyone in a crisis.
The project quickly gained momentum. Doug connected with a film crew in Coronado, California, and together, they brought the idea to life. This collaboration marked the birth of our organization, Share The Signal.
A Short Film with a Lasting Impact
The short film they produced wasn’t just another piece of media; it was a deep dive into the hidden world of human trafficking, exposing the grooming processes that often go unnoticed in our communities. This film was designed to educate viewers on the subtle signs of trafficking, especially in places where it’s least expected—middle America and affluent neighborhoods where secrecy is often a shield for criminal activity.
The impact of the film was immediate. It was accepted into three prestigious film festivals, including New York Fashion Week, where journalists interviewed Doug about the project’s significance. The film’s message resonated with audiences and industry professionals alike, leading to its recognition at the Telly Awards, where it won in its category.
This recognition was more than just an accolade; it validated the importance of our work and the necessity of our mission. The film also caught the attention of Rotary District 5340, and Don was invited to present at a special Homeland Security event focused on human trafficking in October 2022. These opportunities have given us unique insights into the world of trafficking—insights that are often overlooked by even the most seasoned law enforcement agencies.
Taking Our Message Global
We’re not stopping at just one film. To ensure our message reaches as many people as possible, we’ve made the film available in Spanish and eight dialects from India.
By breaking down language barriers, we’re extending our reach and empowering more communities to recognize and act on the signs of trafficking.
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Our Mission: Awareness and Action
At Share The Signal, our mission is simple yet powerful: to reduce the number of human trafficking cases by raising awareness and educating communities about the signs of grooming and trafficking. We believe that through education, we can empower individuals to take action—whether it’s recognizing a distress signal, identifying suspicious behavior, or sharing information with others.
Our ultimate goal is to create a ripple effect. By educating one person, we create a chain reaction that can spread throughout communities, ultimately leading to fewer cases of trafficking and more lives saved.
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Building a Stronger Future
In 2022, we formalized our efforts, becoming a 501(c)(3) organization. Our founders—Don Meredith, Shawn Barrieau, and Jessica Holland—have been instrumental in driving our mission forward. Don Meredith has become a prominent voice in the fight against trafficking, speaking at community events, rotary clubs, and even Homeland Security. Meanwhile, Shawn Barrieau, with his background in venture capital, brings a visionary approach to expanding our impact.
Jessica Holland, our Director of Marketing and Co-Founder, has been pivotal in leading us into the future. Under her guidance, we’ve embraced new technologies and launched the “Be the Force of Change” initiative, creating content that directly addresses the grooming and manipulation tactics used against vulnerable young women. Brenda Meredith, our Treasurer, ensures that our financial resources are managed with precision, allowing us to grow sustainably and maximize our outreach.
Where We’re Going
The fight against trafficking is far from over, and we’re just getting started. With our signal now in eleven languages and growing, we're taking our mission global. Our next steps include:
- Expanding Educational Outreach: We’re developing more content to educate parents, teachers, and communities about the signs of grooming and how to intervene early. Our goal is to make this information accessible to every household.
- Leveraging Technology: We’re integrating AI and data analytics to identify trafficking patterns and provide law enforcement and NGOs with the tools they need to act faster and more effectively.
- Community Engagement: We plan to host more workshops, webinars, and events to engage local communities, empowering them to be vigilant and proactive.
- Global Partnerships: We’re forming alliances with international organizations to tackle trafficking on a global scale, ensuring that our signal reaches every corner of the world.
Together, we can make a difference.
By joining forces, we can ensure that more people recognize the signs of trafficking, more communities are educated, and more lives are saved.