UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A few seats are still available this week for the human trafficking awareness event featuring Elle Snow, trafficking survivor and founder of Game Over, a nonprofit anti-trafficking organization.

The event is on Friday, June 30, 6 p.m. at The Lodge at Blue Lakes, 5135 State Highway 20, in Upper Lake.

Rural communities are prime targets for trafficking, the reason Soroptimist International of Clear Lake joined forces with Redwood Community Services Inc. and Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg to bring this first-time presentation to Lake County.

In a recent radio interview, Snow, a Humboldt County resident, shared how she was lured and held captive by her trafficker, running twice before finally escaping. She decided to testify against him in court – something trafficking victims rarely do.

“Once I realized nothing could match what I endured under the control of my trafficker, I knew I could get through anything,” Snow said.

After a very long process involving multiple victims, mistrials and many hours of grueling testimony, Snow’s trafficker was finally convicted. He is soon to be released from prison.

In her presentation this Friday night, Snow will share more details of her story and discuss the nature of trafficking and how rural towns are fast becoming targets for predators who seek out the most vulnerable in our communities: homeless children, runaways and children in foster care.

She will discuss her efforts to address trafficking through education and take questions from the audience.

Community leaders attending include Sheriff Brian Martin, District Attorney Don Anderson, county Supervisors Tina Scott and Jim Steele, Robinson Rancheria Tribal Chair E.J. Crandell, acting Clearlake Police Chief Tim Celli, Lakeport Mayor Pro Tem Mireya Turner and Lake Family Resource Center Executive Director Jennifer Dodd.

“The effects of trafficking on victims is devastating,” said Soroptimist President Olga Martin Steele. “We appreciate the support of community leaders in our efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking, a first step towards preventing this horror from taking hold in Lake County.”

Owners of The Lodge at Blue Lakes, Peter and Maryann Schmid, are major sponsors of the event along with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, R Vineyards, and county Supervisors Tina Scott and Jim Steele.

Appetizers by Fresh & Bangin’ Eatery, wines by R Vineyards and desserts by Soroptimist Club members will be served. There is no charge to attend.

To reserve a seat or for more information call 707-998-1302.