In 2004, amidst a flurry of national media stories that focused the country's attention on child abduction murders, a small group of concerned friends in Southern California got together to discuss what they could do to keep their children, and the children of their community, safe from predators and those who wished them harm.

The deeper the group looked into the problem, the more evident it became that little could be done to rehabilitate those who preyed on unsuspecting children. It was also obvious that most of the nationwide programs in place at the time largely addressed "after-the-fact" escape tactics and stranger abduction, despite the fact that research shows the highest percentage of abuse and molestation are perpetrated by individuals the children know. What became evident was an opportunity to affect the problem from a different perspective, a proactive perspective.

This need led to the formation of The AmberWatch Foundation, a public, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of child abduction and child endangerment. Its mission is to provide innovative educational programs and tools to help kids stay safe from sexual predators and abduction.

The civic-minded individuals behind The AmberWatch Foundation understood that education was integral to helping parents and children understand the steps to take to ensure their safety. For this reason, they worked in tandem with law enforcement and child safety professionals to develop the "Be Safe!" program. The goal of "Be Safe!" is to "harden the target" by educating elementary-aged children and their parents on the dangers of abduction and child endangerment.

The "Be Safe!" Education Program was designed following the guidelines established by respected organizations, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Program complements existing child safety education and focuses on empowering children with the information, tools, and support they need to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

In January of 2005, The AmberWatch Foundation presented its first "Be Safe!" Child Abduction and Molestation Prevention Assembly at a small grammar school in Chino Hills, California. A few short months after the Chino Hills presentation, the AmberWatch Foundation secured the approval of the Safe & Drug Free Advisory Council of Palm Beach County Florida to pilot its "Be Safe!" Education Program in the Palm Beach County public school system.. These pilots were so successful that "Be Safe!" was adopted into the entire school district. Today, the AmberWatch Foundation "Be Safe!" Program is taught in 103 Elementary Schools throughout Palm Beach County.

A crowning moment in the early history of The AmberWatch Foundation came in July of 2006 when an 11-year old girl in Riviera Beach, Florida eluded an attempted abduction by following the lessons learned in the ‘Be Safe!" presentation she attended in her school. Her would-be abductor was tracked down, arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping. The AmberWatch Foundation was credited with helping save the child's life by local media.

What started out as a means for a small group of friends to keep their children safe has blossomed into one of the leading abduction and molestation prevention programs stretching from Little Havana to Long Beach.

With the inception of a free coloring book featuring "Be Safe!" tips for kids, the AmberWatch Foundation found itself in the enviable position of being able to help children who do not have an opportunity to attend Be Safe! Assemblies.

Since its inception, scores of industry leaders, Hollywood luminaries and political dignitaries have demonstrated their support of The AmberWatch Foundation. Most recently, some of the country's most recognizable celebrities and sports personalities contributed to the "Be Safe!" national public service announcement campaign for print, radio and television.

The PSA's feature twelve "Be Safe!" Tips, derived from the AWF's "Be Safe!" Curriculum. The "Be Safe!" PSA's for radio have been recorded by such well-known celebrities as Susan Sarandon, Samuel L. Jackson, Julianne Moore, Al Roker, Eugene Levy, Edie Falco, Kelsey Grammer, Nia Vardalos, Ray Romano, and many others. The first wave of PSA's for television have been delivered by the stars of the San Diego Chargers, Fox TV's HOUSE cast members, actors from Fox TV's Prison Break, and celebrities like Brad Garrett and America's Most Wanted's John Walsh.

In keeping true to its mission of "Providing innovative educational programs and tools to help kids stay safe from sexual predators and abduction", the AmberWatch Foundation began distributing the first of its kind AmberWatch TM to children from underprivileged backgrounds. The AmberWatch is a wristwatch armed with a 115db alarm that children can activate when threatened, immediately attracting the attention of any passersby.

The AmberWatch Foundation then enlisted the help of Hollywood once again to help communicate its message. In early 2007, Ray Romano of "Everybody Loves Raymond" fame agreed to host the first AWF Comic Alert at the IMPROV in Hollywood, California. Ray and friends provided a night of comedy to a packed house to help bring national attention to this issue in what the Foundation hopes will become an annual event.

The Foundation realized that in order to make sure every deserving child had tools to protect him or herself, it would need to partner with not just a single company but an entire industry. Only a robust, growing industry acting in unison would be able to provide the coverage necessary to make sure every child in even the most remote location would be able to protect him or herself against these heinous crimes. In May of 2008, after nearly a year of development, the AmberWatch Foundation announced the AmberWatch Mobile Initiative. The Initiative is a charitable effort that generates funds for the AmberWatch Foundation and its non-profit partners. Wireless industry companies involved in this groundbreaking initiative include Qualcomm, Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless.

The Foundation realizes there are other threats to our children besides abduction and molestation. That is why the Foundation made the decision to help other deserving non-profits in their efforts to keep our children safe and healthy. In May of 2008 the AmberWatch Foundation created the National Coalition Network. The purpose of the National Coalition Network (NCN) is to create a resource directory of like-minded, complimentary non-profits dedicated to the prevention of child molestation, abuse, abduction as well as the treatment and care of children subjected to these abuses.

Today, the AmberWatch Foundation's "Be Safe!" Education Program is in many of the largest school districts in the country. And every day, the Foundation's dedicated staff members continue to bring its message of safety and prevention to schools and civic organizations across the country. By leveraging its role as a leader against these crimes against children, its hope is to see the incidences of these crimes diminish significantly. The Foundation will continue to explore new and different ways to achieve its objectives, and hope you will join with it to make sure no child ever has to sacrifice their innocence at the hands of an ill-intended adult.