SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Throughout this week, community leaders and advocates in Sioux Falls have been raising awareness about hunger and homelessness. Thursday, two organizations teamed up to continue that awareness and bring to light two other issues — human trafficking and Missing, Murdered Indigenous People.
The Call to Freedom parking lot in Sioux Falls now has red sand flowing through it’s cracks.
“That’s to symbolize the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People that are missing everyday,” Sarah Van Voorst, Community Outreach Coordinator with Call to Freedom, said. “The ones that don’t go talked about, who don’t necessarily have somebody to speak up for them.”
The ones who fall through the cracks — much like victims of human trafficking.
“Coming from my background of law enforcement then coming to Call to Freedom, I had no idea how prevalent trafficking was even in our own communities,” Van Voorst said.
Two overlapping vulnerable populations that also often deal with hunger and homelessness.
“I mean, if you’re just needing to get your basic needs met, what are you going to do,” Van Voorst said. “The traffickers who take advantage of those vulnerabilities know that individuals are needing that place to stay at night or they don’t know where their next meal is going to come from.”
It’s for all of those reasons that Call to Freedom is teaming up with South Dakota Urban Indian Health (SDUIH) for the Red Sand Awareness event during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
“Just keeping the conversation going, raising awareness is sometimes the next best step because you feel like the problem’s too big to overcome as one individual, as one person,” Van Voorst said.
“It’s really important this week or this whole week of different organizations that have collaborated meeting people where they’re at and now where we expect people to be,” Nikki Schoffelman, Peer Support Coach with SDUIH, said. “We’re going to come to you and meet you where you’re at. And maybe remove some of those barriers to help connect you with the resources to push you forward.”
According to the National Red Sand Project, 50 million people worldwide are being trafficked or are living in modern slavery.
There are a number of events happening this week to raise awareness for hunger and homelessness including the annual Walk a Mile event on Saturday:
- Friday: Union Gospel Mission and Faith Temple Food Giveaway
- 2 to 4 pm: Cocoa and Coats @ 705 E. 8th Street
- 4 to 6 pm: Faith Temple Food Giveaway @ 100 Lyon Blvd.
- Saturday: 8th Annual Walk a Mile
- 10:30 am registration, 11 am walk begins
- Start at Big Sioux River and 6th Street
