According to Polaris, the nonprofit that operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, 540 victims of human trafficking were identified in Pennsylvania in 2019. That same year, 524 phone calls, 104 webforms, 13 emails, 86 texts, and 19 webchats were made from Pennsylvania to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

After realizing he had witnessed an incident of human trafficking in Philadelphia, Steve Thurston told his wife, Amy, about what he had seen. Steve and Amy decided they could make an impact on preventing human trafficking, so they moved to Lancaster and founded Hope. Inspire. Love. in January 2016. Hope. Inspire. Love. is an anti-human trafficking nonprofit that aims to provide education and opportunities for local residents to partner with the organization to help end human trafficking, paving the way for awareness, prevention, freedom, and restoration.

The organization also provides education, advocacy, and a mentorship program for survivors of sex trafficking.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, Hope. Inspire. Love. will host its second Freedom Walk from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Musser Park, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster. This community awareness and fundraising event will provide a live simulation where the public can learn more about human trafficking and sexual exploitation. There will also be music, food trucks, a kids' zone, and booths from several local anti-trafficking nonprofits. The day will culminate with a silent, single-file 3-mile walk through Lancaster city.

"Freedom Walk is a day of awareness and local action, bringing our community together by joining forces with other anti-trafficking organizations within our region," stated Amy, who is currently CEO of Hope. Inspire. Love. "This walk is an opportunity to empower our neighbors, friends, and community leaders to make an impact that moves freedom forward."

Several local nonprofits will participate in the event, including Freedom and Restoration for Everyone Enslaved (FREE), Greenlight Operation, North Star Initiative, and She's Somebody's Daughter.

"When you take action, you are rising up and making a difference for the lives of vulnerable and at-risk individuals," said Amy. "Our aspiration is to reduce vulnerability to prevent exploitation before it happens."

To learn more or to register for the Freedom Walk, visit http://www.FreedomWalkPA.org. For more information about Hope. Inspire. Love., go to https://hopeinspirelove.org. Human trafficking statistics and data can be found at https://polarisproject.org.