The MACC 'Steps Up' to Help Fight Sex Slavery

A Crofton church is reaching out to help end human sex slavery.

The will host its second annual Shared Hope 5K Walk/Run September 17 at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Registration runs 7:45  to 8:30 a.m. The 5K walk/run kicks off at 9 a.m. 

The theme of this year’s walk is “stepping out to stop trafficking.”

“It’s not just an international issue, it’s happening right here in the United States,” said Shared Hope International’s Nancy Winston. 

VIDEO: Nancy Winston describes how Shared Hope International helps youths fighting to get away from sex slavery right here in the United States. Winston also emphasizes the importance of the role ministries such as the Mid-Atlantic Community Church play in helping troubled youths find a way to safety.

Winston, a Gambrills resident, is the director and Board Member Emerita for Shared Hope’s Arlington Virginia Office. She’s working to curb, if not end, child prostitution and pornography.

“These are not prosti-‘tots.’ These are kids being abused and manipulated,” said Winston.

She knows about taking steps to fight child sex trafficking. Winston walks with a street team through Washington, DC, passing out rescue bracelets to teenage girls and boys being sold for sex on the streets.

The rescue bracelets have contact information for Shared Hope International.

“We want to rescue and restore these kids,” said Winston.

Winston’s war on child sex trafficking includes research, lobbying and shelters. The 5K race is an effort to help offset the costs of these projects.

The MACC’s race committee member Karen Thompson said more than 200 people registered for last year’s race. The 2010 race raised $6,300 for Shared Hope International, according to a release from the MACC.

View more than 500 photos from the MACC's 2010 Shared Hope 5K Race here.

The MACC had 40 volunteers on had to help the 175 runners who showed up hit the race trail.

“We had 60 or so people just show up to race on the day of,” said Thompson. She said she hopes 400 runners register for the September footrace.

“We want to keep growing every year,” said Thomspon.

The MACC organizers are encouraging parishioners to get out and motivate neighboring Anne Arundel County residents to register for the 5K.

A registration form PDF is atached to this story. You may also contact the MACC directly at:

MACC c/o Shared Hope 5K Walk/Run 
2134 Espey Ct., Suite 15
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-5110
www.themacc.org

All of the proceeds will go to Shared Hope International.