On October 19, Lake County residents will join tens of thousands of participants across the globe for the 10th annual Walk for Freedom, an event organized by the global anti-human trafficking nonprofit A21. This marks the 4th year that The Father’s House Church will host the walk in Leesburg, raising awareness and mobilizing the community in the fight against modern-day slavery.

With over 49.6 million people trapped in human trafficking worldwide, this crisis affects men, women, and children across every continent, often hidden in plain sight. The Walk for Freedom aims to confront this issue directly, with Lake County residents walking in a single-file line, distributing information on local trafficking hotline numbers, and learning how to identify and report suspicious activities.

“Celebrating 10 years of Walk for Freedom, we stand more powerful, more united, and more determined to end human trafficking than ever before. Every step we take is a step toward freedom for someone trapped in exploitation,” Nick Caine, CEO of A21, says. “The impact of our collective efforts is felt globally, as we continue to recover victims, prevent exploitation, and hold traffickers accountable.”

This year’s event will begin at Lake Sumter State College, 9501 US-441, Leesburg, at 8:00 AM, with participants walking in a single-file line from and returning to the gym on campus. The walk will be accompanied by a panel discussion and presentations from local human services agencies, providing critical education on the dangers of human trafficking and empowering attendees with tools to recognize and report trafficking.

For the past decade, Walk for Freedom has mobilized over 350,000 participants across 500 cities, spanning over 50 countries, and has distributed over 1.4 million awareness materials. This year’s walk continues to support A21’s mission to eradicate human trafficking and exploitation worldwide, with a renewed commitment to action in Lake County.

“Human trafficking is at an epidemic level,” Christie Truluck with Salon NK says. “I am concerned for my family, friends and my community. Nothing is more important than keeping our family safe and informed. This walk allows us to let people know that there are things we can do to protect ourselves and those that we love. This walk also brings us face to face with local victims that tell us how to identify a possible victim and what we can do to help.”

Human trafficking is a critical issue, particularly in Central Florida, but events like this aim to empower the community to take action.

“By raising awareness and distributing local resources, we are empowering our community to recognize and report trafficking,” Tanya Thompson says. “Each person who joins this walk becomes part of the solution, helping us create a safer future for everyone.”

To participate in the Lake County Walk for Freedom, visit A21.org/lakecounty. For more information on A21’s mission and the global Walk for Freedom, visit A21.org or follow the Lake County event on social media:
Facebook: WalkForFreedomLakeCountyFL
Instagram: WalkforFreedomLakeCounty