LANCASTER, PA — Hope Inspire Love, a nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation, will host its annual Freedom Walk on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Musser Park in Lancaster. The event aims to raise awareness about the realities of human trafficking and inspire community involvement in prevention and restoration efforts.
Participants will gather for a program beginning at 10 a.m., followed by a silent two-mile walk through downtown Lancaster at 10:45 a.m. Walkers will move in single-file lines carrying awareness signs, symbolizing solidarity with victims and survivors while calling attention to the presence of human trafficking in communities across Pennsylvania, including Lancaster, Reading, York, Lebanon, Lititz, Manheim, Myerstown, Norristown, Harrisburg, Allentown, and Philadelphia.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit educational displays, including “A Trafficking Story,” an immersive experience that shares real-life accounts of exploitation, as well as informational tents hosted by local anti-trafficking organizations.
“Sex trafficking is happening right here in our own backyards, and this walk is providing a tangible first step to make a difference in our community,” said Amy Thurston, Founder, President, and CEO of Hope Inspire Love. “Through our trauma-informed mentorship program, we are empowering survivors of sex trafficking to flourish and thrive. We do this walk for the one victim, the one survivor. The work we do and the awareness through this walk are all about transforming lives and providing avenues of awareness, prevention education, and restorative care services.”
The Freedom Walk will feature participation from several regional nonprofits that provide survivor support and advocacy services. The event will conclude at 1 p.m. at Musser Park, located at 135 N. Lime Street in Lancaster.
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