FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Volunteers lined Fresno’s Blackstone Avenue, raising money to fight human trafficking in the Central Valley.
Seven local non-profits in the Central Valley have formed a coalition and their campaign 2017 Stop Traffic to Stop Trafficking is now in its second year.
It’s a day where volunteers and community leaders take to the streets to raise awareness and money.
Holding signs and rushing to collect money, volunteers lined Blackstone Avenue from Shields Avenue to the Riverpark Shopping Center on Thursday, January 11th.
Former Mayor and current Central Valley Community Foundation President and CEO Ashley Swearengin also presented a $10,000 check from CVCF to the “Pledge to Stop Trafficking Fund” campaign.
Members of the community, including Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, attended in support of PTST.
District 7 Fresno City Councilman Clint Olivier (seen below) donated $500 to PTST.
Afterwards, Chief Jerry Dyer and DA Lisa Smittcamp grabbed buckets to collect money from motorists on Blackstone.
Money raised will support and critical services for victims of sex trafficking.
Survivors like Jamelia Hinds, (above) pictured with Ryan Townsend, Executive Director of the Central Valley Justice Coalition were present at event.
Hinds has turned her life around thanks to help from the Central Valley Justice Coalition and its partners.
After breaking free from her trafficker in Clovis, she now works as a victim advocate, and is a mother and positive role model to her young daughter.
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Donations to the Pledge to Stop Trafficking Fund can be made online at bit.ly/PTSTFund or by writing a check to the Central Valley Community Foundation with “Pledge to Stop Trafficking” written on the memo line. Checks can be sent to:
Central Valley Community Foundation
5260 North Palm Avenue, Suite 122
Fresno, CA 93704
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
