Baraga, Ontonagon, and Houghton Counties will all get the chance to hear from the Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force next week. The nonprofit works with law enforcement, schools, youth organizations, and others to try and tackle a growing problem in the region. President Stephanie Krieger says the biggest obstacle she still sees is a denial that there’s a problem.
Our isolation and international border can be detrimental, but Krieger says the UP has some huge benefits in dealing with trafficking. Namely, many communities are small but close-knit. Krieger says the organization is still fairly new and building bridges at this time with residents. She encourages you to attend one of three presentations happening next week. Kreiger says every talk results in someone coming forward asking for help, whether for themselves or someone they love.
The events are October 11 in Baraga, October 12 in Ontonagon and October 13 in Hancock. Each talk is presented by the Portage Health Foundation.