Patrick Atkinson

Patrick John Atkinson was born in Bismarck, North Dakota and attended Minnesota State University – Moorhead, after which he turned down lucrative corporate job offers to work with runaways, prostitutes, and gang members in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen. Two years later, Patrick moved to Central America where he began an international career in war-zone reconciliation and post-war reconstruction. He is the recipient of numerous international human rights awards (including the Guatemalan Congressional Medal, Benefactor of Antigua (last awarded 450 years ago), and Distinguished Citizen), was named Goodwill Peace Ambassador for Guatemala, and is the subject of the biography, The Dream Maker, by Monica Hannan. Patrick is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning programs; The Institute for Trafficked, Exploited & Missing Persons, The Atkinson Center, and The GOD’S CHILD Project. He is the author / co-author of seven books and a popular speaker. When not being shot at, knifed, caught in car-bombings, or traveling worldwide advocating on behalf of abused, abandoned, or human-trafficking victims, Patrick resides in Central America, in Bismarck, North Dakota, and on Hippo Wallow Pond, his family home outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.