Human trafficking must end in this generation.
That’s the major objective of YouCanFree.Us, an international human rights organization based right here in southern Denton County that is fighting human trafficking around the world through advocacy, rescue and rehabilitation, and there is a way that all of us can help.
The organization will be hosting its fourth annual Run for Freedom, Walk for Justice 5K & Super Hero Fun Run on Nov. 21 and Sujo John, who heads up the organization, said the ultimate goal of the advocacy group is not just to rescue and rehabilitate.
“There’s also a curriculum where we teach parents to be involved in the lives of their children when they hit puberty,” John said. “So the attempt is, not just rescue, which we want to continue to do and open multiple safe houses, but also prevention.”
The event will take place at Unity Park in Highland Village, and runners and walkers can register at YouCanFree.Us/Run or call 940-725-3200 to learn about other ways to support the event.
John said the objective this year is to raise $50,000 and said that the most important thing he wants to do is raise awareness about a horrible societal problem that, while more prevalent in places like India, Poland and Eastern Europe, is finding its way increasingly into our own backyard.
“Statistics show that of the calls to the national hotline on human trafficking—15% of them are from the Dallas/Fort Worth area,” John said. “That’s how big the problem is here too.
“Recently there were students that were approached in the Lewisville area, and so our kids are vulnerable. You know, people sometimes think, ‘oh it’s a problem in Asia, it’s a problem in Europe’—no; it’s a huge problem in America, and it’s only growing.”
YouCanFree.Us is a non-profit organization that rescues women and children out of slavery and commercial sexual exploitation, provides psychosocial care and holistic healing, and helps them to re-enter society.
Visit YouCanFree.Us for more information on the organization and the event.
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