The Elora House is a place that provides safe housing and support for women exploited by sex trafficking

If people are wanting to help end sex trafficking in the community, then they have the opportunity to walk for survivors this Feb. 20, 2021, during the Coldest Night of the Year campaign.

Luisa Krause, executive director and founder of the Elora House, said human trafficking is as much of a problem in the Guelph-Wellington area as it is around the world.

“We’ve only been open since the end of last February, most of our girls are pretty local, Guelph, Fergus, Cambridge area, Elora, so, it is a problem, it’s actually a much bigger problem than most people would think,” Krause said.

Krause said the youngest victim she has seen walk through their doors is 14-years-old.

“I know there is younger too, but yeah, 14-[years-old],” she said.

She said the organization is based in Wellington County.

“It’s kind of hard, you don’t really want people to know where you are, but you want people to know we exist because we need donors because we’re not government funded,” Kraus said.

Krause said on Feb. 20, all across Canada, people are walking for different charities and, so far, they have 66 walkers participating in the virtual, COVID-19 safe, family friendly event, and they’re walking to raise money and awareness for the Elora House.

“We’re wanting to make parents, and schools, and people just aware that (human trafficking) this is happening everywhere, even in these small-town communities, so that people can watch out for their daughters, and for friends to watch out for each other,” Krause said.

Krause said pretty much every girl wants to be loved.

“If someone gives them the attention they’re looking for, they can be easily manipulated, and so we want people to be aware that this is a problem,” she said.

Krause said their fundraising goal is $25,000 and so far, they have raised just over $19,000.

There is still time to join the virtual walk, become a sponsor, or just donate by clicking here.

Luisa Krause, executive director and founder of the Elora House: