From VOiCEup Berks, Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading
A group of 35 high school students from school districts across Berks County is bringing urgent attention to an issue many still misunderstand and often overlook locally: human trafficking.
The Youth Advisory Board (YAB), a collaborative initiative of the Berks County Community Foundation and Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading, a program of VOiCEup Berks, empowers young people to engage directly in community philanthropy and service while addressing real-world challenges affecting their peers.
This year, YAB has focused its efforts on human trafficking after learning that it is not only a global crisis, but one that impacts young people here in Berks County.
In partnership with ZOE International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking, and the Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force, YAB members received specialized training on how trafficking operates, how it can impact youth, and why it so often goes unrecognized.
What they learned prompted action.
“Human trafficking is not something happening somewhere else; it affects our community every single day. As young people, we have a responsibility to use our voices, challenge the silence, and be part of the solution,” said Athena Worley, Youth Advisory Board member, Wilson High School.
Students identified a critical gap in community awareness and are now helping lead efforts to address it. On Friday, May 1, with coordination and support from YAB members, ZOE International will facilitate two identical workshops at the Berks County Community Foundation, located at 237 Court St. in Reading. The sessions are open to adults only and are intended for school personnel, community members, and local leaders.
Registration is required to attend either of the two identical workshops. The morning session will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The afternoon session will be held from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The workshops will focus on recognizing warning signs, understanding the realities of trafficking in youth populations, and responding appropriately when concerns arise.
“We can’t afford to misunderstand what human trafficking looks like in our own community. Less than 1% of those who are trafficked get out and stay out, and that reality demands urgency. It’s not always visible, which is exactly why education matters. These students are stepping up to lead conversations many adults avoid, challenging all of us to pay attention, show up, and be part of the solution,” said Lindsay Sites, Program Director, Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading.
The YAB initiative reflects a broader belief driving youth leadership in Berks County: meaningful change begins when communities are willing to confront difficult issues openly and without hesitation.
Local leaders, educators, community members, and government officials are strongly encouraged to attend and engage in this conversation alongside student leaders who are already working to drive awareness and prevention efforts.
Berks County now stands at a pivotal moment, moving from awareness to action, and from silence to protection. The question is no longer whether this issue exists here, but how the community will respond.
For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Lindsay Sites at lindsay@voiceupberks.org.
About VOiCEup Berks
Founded in 2016 as a fund of Berks County Community Foundation, VOiCEup Berks mobilizes and empowers young changemakers to shape more equitable communities through service-learning. Our flagship program, Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading (YVC), engages youth ages 11 to 18 in team-based projects that foster leadership, career, and life skills while giving back to the community. For young adults ages 18 to 24, Generation Impact offers service-learning, volunteer opportunities, and professional networking to strengthen leadership and community ties. Together, these initiatives are building a legacy of empowered young leaders committed to lasting community transformation. For more information about VOiCEup Berks, YVC of Reading, or Generation Impact programs, visit voiceupberks.org.
