If you go
* Times: 5K race/walk at 8:30 a.m. (walk-up registration available); kids’ obstacle course at 9:30 a.m.; family festival from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
* Cost: 5K is $30 or $25 each for teams of 4 or more; kids’ obstacle course is $20
* Location: Midway United Methodist Church, 5025 Atlanta Highway, Alpharetta
Did you know?
* 1 in 4 girls will be sexually abused before age 18
* More than 100,000 children are sold for sex each year in the U.S.
* About 300 girls across Atlanta are lured into trafficking every month, some from northern Fulton and Forsyth counties
* Every girl who has gone through the Wellspring Living program was lacking an active father in her life
Source: Wellspring Living through Midway United Methodist Church
WEST FORSYTH — Organizers of a family festival and race Saturday are hoping to bring awareness to a serious and dangerous issue they say many people don’t think happens close to home.
More than 250 runners and walkers are expected to participate in the third annual Mission Impossible: Run for One and Family Festival at Midway United Methodist Church in Alpharetta.
The goal is to raise enough money to put one girl through the recovery program at Wellspring Living, a nonprofit working to end domestic minor sex trafficking.
“People may be shocked to know that human trafficking exists in current times and is so prominent in the Atlanta area, partially due to large numbers of conventions, large sporting events, etc.,” said Julia Murray, the church’s pastoral ministry assistant.
“In fact, much of the demand is in the northern suburbs [because] that’s where the concentration of money is.”
Wellspring Living runs survivor and residential programs for girls ages 12-25 who are victims of domestic minor sex trafficking, offering trauma therapy and individual, group and family counseling.
Spiritual care, education, life and vocational skills and confidence building are also offered, as is support to gain independence.
“Wellspring Living is a new mission partner of ours at Midway,” said Jim Allen, head of the church’s global outreach team. “We hosted a work day at one of their campuses last month to help with landscaping, grounds work and handyman-type jobs. While we were there, officials were so gracious about sharing with us what they do.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the group. Every person who was there was deeply touched by the stories of these young girls who have been through the worst experience imaginable, yet were restored physically, emotionally and spiritually. We’re excited to bring the community together to make an immediate impact on one girl.”
Instead of the traditional “fun run” for kids, there will be an obstacle course for ages 5 to 12. Those wishing to participate in either the 5K, which is a qualifier for the Peachtree Roadrace, or the obstacle course can register at active.com in advance or in person on the day of the race.
This year, the church added a family festival to the event. It will include live music, games, dwarf ponies for petting, canine assistance dogs and inflatable bounce houses. The festival is free except for hot food.
“We might not be able to change the world,” Allen said, “but we can change the world for one person. And that’s a race worth running.”