Community got together to make ‘moves’ against human trafficking
Saturday, June 12 was hot. Like really hot. Like you want it to rain to take care of some of the humidity in the air, kind of hot. But Saturday was also a lot of other things. It was bright, positive, hopeful. Heat was one thing that wasn’t going to ruin the day. After months and months of planning our first community event, we were finally here. I’d done everything I could think of in preparation for the big day but the nerves and anxiety were still filling up my stomach.
Today was our first ‘Move for the Movement’ event in Goshen, IN. My own home town. I’d done a lot of ground work to get sponsors, contact the city, get approvals, create all the activities, make the swag, etc… it was a lot of work. And as the big day approached, intrusive thoughts came with it.
What if no one came? What if I said all the wrong things? What if everyone hated the activities?
My anxiety kicks in and tells my thoughts - “you don’t have time for this! Do you know how long your to-do list is before the event begins? And you haven’t even left the house yet!” Now, I’m rushing, running, getting phone calls last minute changes, and the event is merely hours away.
I remind myself to pause and breathe. (See, even I can use those healthy mind activities!) Then I prayed. After that, things started to come together.
I arrive at the event location (after being stuck behind a train and a very long line for coffee), and our fundraising partner for the event, Bashor Children’s Home, and our official media sponsor, Froggy 102.7, settle in shortly after. Just as our swag (shout-out to UPrinting!) and check-in booths went up, a few of our other sponsors Allies, Ten Thousand Villages, and Oaklawn, settled in as well.
The event began and people started rolling in. We had bikes, skates, scooters, and lots of walking that took up the three mile long route. Along the route were seven activities that focused on the mind, body, and healthy relationships. (If you missed the event, you can find the activities here!)
After everyone came back from the route dripping with sweat, closing ceremonies began. We were so blessed to have Irish Dave with us DJing and emceeing the event. He introduced our organization and I managed to give a speech connecting what these activities had to do with to human trafficking.
I shared that less than 10% of human trafficking victims are trafficked by a stranger. More than 90% are trafficked by family, friends, significant others, or other people they know and trust. I explained that there are risk factors that can cause someone to be more vulnerable, that it isn’t just always random. It’s easy to get fooled. The media, news, movies, etc. tell us trafficking looks a certain way and it’s easy to assume it looks a certain way in real life too. Now, we have the power to spread awareness about how it typically happens. We also have the power to prevent it: by activating healthy minds, bodies, and relationships within our lives and beyond.
Steve Riikonen, with Bashor Children’s Home, shared more about Safe Place for teens and about their newest project to build and provide services to survivors. Allies board president and mentor, Mandy Long, spoke about how the grooming process works and importance of a caring, loving, support system.
By the end of the day, some people didn’t come. I most definitely messed up in my speech (more than once). And it’s possible someone did hate the activities, although thankfully no one said it to my face...
BUT… I know three things for sure.
We raised $5307 that will go towards services that support and provide opportunities for survivors of human trafficking
Over 50 people came because they care! People care!!!
A lot of people learned something knew and felt empowered
Or at least a lot of people said they did… and I’ll take their word for it! At the end of the day, if one person was inspired it was well worth it. Looking back at this past weekend, I think we can definitely say this was a successful first event. If we roll up from here, I can only imagine what we can accomplish. Thank you all, endlessly, for your support.
Without your support, there would be no movement.
