Joy in Action: How Manitobans Can Help Victims of Human Trafficking

The Joy Smith Foundation is committed to educating the community as well as parents and helping victims of human trafficking here in Canada.

“We have had the honor and privilege of working with nearly 7,000 – and now approaching 8,000 – files of victims of human trafficking and their families,” says Janet Campbell, president and CEO of the Joy Smith Foundation. “We have worked with people from all over the country, from all walks of life and communities.”

The Joy Smith Foundation believes that knowledge provides parents and community members with the best defense against human trafficking of their children, which is one of the reasons it hosts its Joy in Action event each year.

“It’s such an important event and it helps in so many ways. First and foremost, I think it’s very important for everyone to know about human trafficking, what it is and how it happens. This event is an opportunity to raise awareness about this issue right in your own community. And secondly, all the fundraising helps us implement our programs.”

The Joy in Action event invites community members, including entire families, to run, walk or cycle in Bird’s Hill Park on August 17 from 9:00 a.m.

“When we go into schools and work with victims of human trafficking, we offer them this service free of charge.”

At the 2023 Joy in Action event, passersby engaged in conversation while carrying signs as they were affected by the effects of human trafficking.

“We had a group walking in a rural area. They had put together posters and were walking down the main street of this community. They were approached by an elderly couple. They were very moved when it turned out that their granddaughter had been a victim of human trafficking. The couple were very touched when they learned that there were other people doing this kind of work.”

If you would like to register for Joy in Action 2024, you can do so here.