A Message for My Child

'Message for my Child' is Patrick Atkinson's international classic that has been enjoyed by millions. Rich with powerful and straight-forward advice for people of all ages, and particularly teens and young adults, this book guides the reader to take control of their life, responsibility for their decisions, and create victory and success. Simple and beautifully-illustrated by the author's son, Ernesto, 'Message for my Child' is the perfect birthday, graduation, holiday, and just-because-I-love-you gift. This easy-to-read book has the power to change lives forever. Patrick Atkinson is in constant demand as a highly inspirational speaker and is nationally sought after for presentations on health, education, human trafficking, poverty prevention, and family related matters. He has been interviewed in numerous national, international, and regional media outlets such as CNN, The Los Angeles Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, and the Christian Science Monitor. Atkinson is the Founder and Executive Director of The GOD'S CHILD Project and ITEMP (Institute for Trafficked, Exploited, and Missing Persons). Since its founding in 1991 by Patrick Atkinson, The GOD'S CHILD Project has grown to more than 12 distinct programs in five different countries, caring for and educating 5,000 orphaned, abandoned, and poverty-stricken boys and girls. He then started ITEMP in 2001 as a response to the growing problem of human trafficking he witnessed in his travels and work around the globe. Atkinson is a Bismarck, ND native and graduate of Minnesota State Moorehead and Regis University. While completing his masters at Regis University, he co-developed a service learning university course model for which he coined S.O.F.E: Service Oriented Field Experience or what is also known as service team experiences. In 2000 and 2001, Atkinson was invited by the United Nations to develop residential, health, and educational programs for rural women left widowed, and street children left orphaned by the AIDS crisis in East and South Africa.