LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa.— SPIRE to Autonomy, Inc., a local anti-trafficking non-profit that promotes awareness and helps survivors, will host its “Freedom Fest” 5K virtually through the month of October.

Sponsors and participants will raise funds to support anti-trafficking services and putting trafficking survivors on a path to autonomy, a key focus of which is to open ASPIRE’s second safe house/emergency shelter in Northampton County before the end of 2020.

Freedom Fest brings together organizations from the social service fields for mental health, physical health, verteran support, human trafficking and others to celebrate a grassroots abolitionist movement in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.

These organizations include KidsPeace, Marsy’s Law of PA, PJ Whelihan’s, and others.

Freedom Fest is a month-long virtual festival featuring a 5K run/walk, this means between October 1 and October 31, you can run/walk a distance of your choosing.

Human trafficking is most often thought of as a ‘not in my backyard’ issue. The Lehigh Valley is not immune to the atrocities of human trafficking. Truck stops, hotels, massage parlors, and street corners are just some of the locations that these crimes take place in. In the last year, 50 sex trafficking victims were identified between Lehigh and Northampton County through ASPIRE’s local outreach partners.

ASPIRE (acronym) is a presence, initiating recovery and empowerment that provides an opportunity for growth and development and fosters autonomy. Survivors of human trafficking have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, and love. They should be looked to as the experts of their life and should be awarded the same rights and opportunities to pursue their hopes and ambitions. ASPIRE believes in the cultivation of resources, services, community, and human relationships to foster equity and allow dreams to become a reality.

For more information, please visit our website: www.freedomfestlv.com or email

Jennifer Moll, MSW, LSW, Director of Communities Impacting Communities: jennifer.m@pathtoautonomy.org  or Angel Ackerman, Director of Communications angel.a@pathtoautonomy.org

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Sponsorships and donations are tax-deductible, Aspire to Autonomy, Inc. is a 510c3 non-profit organization.

Information provided to TVL by:
Sarah Cattin
Aspire to Autonomy, Inc.
http://pathtoautonomy.org/
 

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