Free To Run Foundation

Our 17th annual 5k in Troy is less than a week away! This free and informal event is a great way to start the new year, and while helping us raise awareness of human trafficking. The 5k in Troy starts at 10 am on the river levee near Hobart Arena, and if you can’t make it to the in person event, you can do the virtual 5k wherever you are anytime in January. We also brought back the January 50 Mile Challenge as another option to get you moving at the start of the year.

Registration link in bio or go to https://runsignup.com/worldraceforhopetroy

This month marks five years since our friend came to Ohio to visit and do a photo shoot for us with . It’s hard to believe it has been five years, but frankly the past 2.5 years have felt so much longer. As we prepare to work on year end initiatives and get ready for our 16th annual World Race for Hope Troy & Virtual 5k on New Year’s Day, we wanted to share what’s been going on with human trafficking.

-The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new risks and challenges, including cases of online exploitation increasing
-As refugees flee Ukraine, the increased vulnerability resulting from the conflict has led to an increased risk of human trafficking.
-A recent International Labour Organization report estimates that 50 million people were in slavery in 2021, a significant increase over the last five years.

We are not without hope though. More people and organizations, and more resources, are joining the fight against human trafficking. How can you be a light, a source of hope and inspiration with the darkness around us? There are opportunities to get involved, to raise awareness and be an advocate for change.

July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, and the theme for this year focuses on the role of technology that can enable human trafficking as well as combat it. For more information go to https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/endht/index.html.

If you would like to become more involved with Free To Run Foundation, helping to raise awareness and educating the community where you live, message us. If you’re a teen you can become an ambassador with our teen program .