Ignite Hope Donates $7,000 to Two Local Organizations
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — One local organization that is working very hard to bring awareness to human trafficking in the Ohio Valley made two special donations on Friday.
The Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center and the YWCA of Wheeling both received $7,000 on Friday thanks to Ignite Hope, who is looking to put an end to human trafficking in our region.
Human trafficking is becoming more common in the Ohio Valley each day, but fortunately for victims, there are organizations looking to change that.
Ignite Hope recently held a fundraiser to bring awareness to human trafficking and to discuss ways to prevent it. Their goal at the fundraiser was to raise a significant amount of money for two other organizations that are doing everything they can to provide resources for victims.
”Ignite Hope is doing a really great job at creating that awareness, and I think that we need to continue rolling that ball down the hill so that we together can fight against trafficking within our communities.”ASHLEY CARPENTER – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UPPER OHIO VALLEY SEXUAL ASSAULT HELP CENTER
The Director of Operations for the YWCA of Wheeling, Heather Lapp, says partnerships with organizations with similar goals are important to help teach people about human trafficking.
”The work that we do, if we don’t have that collaboration between other groups, it just helps us build awareness and really stretches our reach out throughout the community.”HEATHER LAPP – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, YWCA WHEELING
Although the region is dealing with this horrific crime, there are plenty of people in the community who are taking a stand to help those who have been affected.
”Upper Ohio Valley is like one of the most wonderful communities. They come together no matter what and they support, you know, victims service like people, individuals within the community and organizations. You can’t ask for a better community.”ASHLEY CARPENTER – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UPPER OHIO VALLEY SEXUAL ASSAULT HELP CENTER
The fight to put an end to human trafficking is not over, but Lapp says that they are moving in the right direction.
”Seeing all the different people that are actually starting to understand what human trafficking is and that it’s here in our valley and the work that we do. It’s just a wonderful experience to watch women restart their lives.”HEATHER LAPP – DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, YWCA WHEELING
Both organizations that received the $7,000 say they will use the money to continue providing various resources to victims of human trafficking. Some of those resources include the YWCA’s Emergency Shelter for victims to escape from a trafficker, as well as self-defense classes provided by the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Center.
https://www.wtrf.com/top-stories/ignite-hope-donates-7000-to-two-local-organizations