Ending Human Trafficking
with Each Step!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024
10 am to 1 pm

The Freedom Walk is taking place on Saturday, October 5.

We look forward to you joining us on this memorable day, raising awareness for human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and raising funds for our Trauma-informed Mentorship Program that helps teens and young adult women who are survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation.

FREEDOM WALK

Registration for the Freedom Walk on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 10 am to 1 pm (Lancaster City) is now live. In an effort to raise awareness for human trafficking, this fundraising event is rallying hundreds of abolitionists, taking thousands of steps, and showing up to make a difference in our community. Freedom Walk is an outward expression of our inward desire to see human trafficking completely abolished.

*Freedom Walk is an awareness and fundraising event. Your registration fee is a donation that supports our work with survivors of sex trafficking through our Trauma-informed Mentorship Program and includes Freedom Walk apparel as well as access to activities.

What Can I Expect at the Freedom Walk?

Freedom Walk is a family-friendly awareness and fundraising event that includes a live simulation allowing registrants to learn more about human trafficking and sexual exploitation. This outdoor event also includes music, nonprofit booths, and culminates with a powerful silent 2-mile walk. Single-file lines of people will fill the local streets and sidewalks of Lancaster City with a message that can’t be ignored: human trafficking still exists and we are committed to seeing it end.

This event also provides opportunities to connect with local anti-trafficking nonprofits that have partnered together to make a difference in our community. You will be able to learn more about the different ways each of these organizations is fighting this heinous crime. You can also connect with them and find out how you can get involved.

All proceeds of this event go to our Hope Mentorship Program and to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation in our community.

Schedule for the Day

Saturday, October 5, 2024

9 am – Check-in / On-site Registration (Nonprofit booths open)
10-11 am – Event Starts (welcome, worship, speakers, and Freedom Declaration)
11 am – Lancaster City Silent Walk (2 miles)
12 – 1 pm – Booths Open, Stage Music

Fundraise and Make a Difference!

Join the hundreds of Freedom Walk participants who are raising funds for the lifesaving mission of putting an end to human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

The majority of our funding for our Trauma-informed Mentorship Program and the work we do in the fight to prevent sex trafficking in our community comes from generous donors. In fact, the funds necessary to sustain and grow this work comes from donors and fundraisers who are united in a common goal: To eradicate human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

While this event is just one of many human trafficking fundraiser ideas, Freedom Walk participants are given the opportunity to fundraise. While fundraising is not required for registrants, it’s the best way to support the work and mission of what we do. We’ll give you everything you need. Once you register, you will receive an email with detailed information on how to set up your fundraising page.

Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorship is critical to the success of the Freedom Walk and the nonprofit work we do at Hope Inspire Love with our Trauma-informed Mentorship Program, as well as in the work we do to eradicate human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The generosity of our corporate sponsors allows us to continue offering hope and freedom like never before.

Your participation and support of this year’s Freedom Walk will allow us to collectively continue to make a difference in people’s lives—in addition, your sponsorship is tax-deductible!

This is a great opportunity for charitable-minded organizations to earn positive recognition while aiding the mission and vision of our cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled several frequently asked questions for the Freedom Walk. Please take the time to review these FAQs. If you have any additional questions, please email us at and follow our social media Facebook & Instagram accounts where we will provide more details.

Freedom Walk

How can I set up a Team Fundraising page?

Go to the Freedom Walk Fundraiser page and follow the instructions below:

Step 1 – Click on the magenta “Become a Fundraiser” button.

Step 2 – Click on one of the options “Fundraise as an Individual”, “Join a Team”, or “Create a Team” button, which will take you to a login screen. Note:  If you don’t have an existing fundraiser account, you can use the form to create one.

Step 3 – Add a fundraising goal (by default it shows $500 but you can change it to any amount you would like. Keep the amount achievable.

Step 4 – Finish by saving your work and sharing it on social media. We recommend that every couple of days between now and the date of the Freedom Walk, you remind your friends, family, and coworkers about your fundraiser via social media. Reminders on social media to your friend group are a great way to keep your fundraiser in the forefront of their minds to take action. We also recommend that you donate to your own personal/team page so that others can see that you are also supporting the Freedom Walk.

Happy Fundraising!

HAVE ISSUES CREATING A FUNDRAISER? If you have any issues creating a team fundraising page, you can contact us at , and a support specialist will help you. Please provide as much detail as possible about what your team is called and what your issue is. Due to the high volume of inquiries, please allow 2-3 business days for a response.

I already got a FW t-shirt/hoodie last year, I don’t need another one

Registration for the Freedom Walk includes an apparel item. If you already got one last year with your registration and did not want to receive this year’s apparel item, you can email us at and let us know so that we can donate it to someone that can’t afford their registration fee. You will still need to register to participate. There are no discounts for not accepting the apparel item. You can also upgrade to a long-sleeve t-shirt, hoodie, or hat for an additional cost. The Freedom Walk is an awareness and fundraising event. The registration fee is a donation to the work that Hope Inspire Love does with its Trauma-informed Mentorship Program, trainings, prevention education initiatives, and community awareness.

If it rains, will the event still happen?

Yes, the Freedom Walk itself is rain or shine, but if an extreme storm is imminent, the event will not be rescheduled. If you register, you will receive an email with more information and next steps in the event of a weather-related cancellation. In the event of inclement weather for that date, we will send out an email the day before with any updates or changes to the schedule. Hope Inspire Love reserves the right to cancel in extreme circumstances. In that event, there will be no refunds. Rather, the participant’s registration fee will be used as a donation to Hope Inspire Love.

When will I get my Freedom Walk apparel?

We will have a local pickup day/time scheduled for the week of the event, where you can pick up your apparel prior to the event. If you are not able to pick up your apparel before the event date, you will be able to pick it up when you check in on the morning of the event. Please make sure that you wear all-black clothing for the walk. Volunteers will also receive their apparel at this time.

Do I need to wear all black for the event?

Yes, it is imperative that you wear black or dark colors (such as dark grey if you don’t have black). The registration fee provides a black t-shirt, but depending on the weather, you might need to have a black long sleeve shirt underneath, a black sweatshirt, or a black jacket. Please refrain from having any colored clothes besides black.

Why do I need to wear black clothing?

We wear black in solidarity with human trafficking victims and survivors.

I don’t have black clothes, can I still walk?

We will allow someone to walk without black clothing but we do encourage you to borrow black clothing from a friend if possible. If you still are not able to have access to black clothing, we will have you walk at the end of the line so your clothing colors don’t distract from the rest of those walking. The walk is about making a statement so it is imperative to stick to the color code.

I can’t walk 2 miles, is there anything else for me to do?

Yes, you can stay at Musser Park and enjoy the music from the stage. Feel free to bring a lawn chair to rest during that time.

I have young children that can’t walk for 2 miles, should they still come to the event?

Yes, feel free to bring your children. Strollers and wagons are welcome.

Can I bring a stroller on the walk for my young child?

Yes, feel free to bring strollers for them. The walkway can get a little bumpy in some areas so please keep that in consideration. Wagons will be permitted but please be aware that the sidewalk conditions in certain areas are not conducive for wagons. Adults with strollers and wagons will have the option of walking at the back of the line if they feel that their pace might detract from the pace of those walking.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, feel free to bring a dog as long as they are on a leash.

Can I bring my own sign to hold during the walk?

Yes, you can bring your own sign but please keep the content of the sign related to either human trafficking statistics or pertinent information that helps create positive awareness. No political or controversial signs will be allowed. Hope Inspire Love will provide some special signs that people can carry that have been designed specifically for this Freedom Walk. We reserve the right to remove a personal sign if we feel that it does not adhere to the sentiment of the purpose of the walk.

Where can I park?

There will be some limited street parking that is metered around Musser Park and beyond. If you will be street parking, you can use the ParkMobile App to manage your parking. The closest parking garage is Duke Street Garage (150 N Duke St), about three blocks away.

Will there be food at the event?

Yes, there will be free water and light snacks. Feel free to bring your own snacks or lunch. There will not be any food trucks at the event this year.

Will there be bathrooms at the park?

Yes, we will have port-a-potties on the premises.

Will there be security or first aid available at the park?

Security is of utmost importance at this and any other Hope Inspire Love event. There will be several safety volunteers on the premises of the park as well as on the actual walk. There will also be several EMTs available for emergencies. A first aid tent will be available for minor needs.