Patrick Atkinson aided in post-war reconstruction efforts and the fight against human trafficking in Central America in the 1980s, then drew on this experience to establish The GOD'S CHILD Project (GCP) and Asociacion Nuestros Ahijados (ANA) in 1991. As the executive director of these organizations, Patrick Atkinson defends the rights of a range of groups, including children, women, and Mayan Indians. In recognition of his work, he has garnered the Guatemalan Congressional Medal of Honor and commendations from President Barack Obama and the US Congress.

Approximately a decade after founding GCP and ANA, Patrick Atkinson was working in Southeast Africa when he personally experienced a gun threat from a group of men who were in the process of kidnapping women and teenagers. Following this experience, he established a third nonprofit organization, the Institute for Trafficked, Exploited, & Missing Persons (ITEMP), through which he aims to prevent human trafficking and provide aid to international victims.

Mr. Atkinson furthers the reach of his defense of human rights through extensive speaking engagements. He has also authored or coauthored books such as Message for My Child, The Powerful You, Conversations on Faith, Conversations on Leadership, and is working on the upcoming book And We Are...Kids! - A Guide for Surviving Bullying.