Alden High School recently held an informative assembly focused on raising awareness about human trafficking, featuring a presentation by Project Mona’s House, a Buffalo-based organization dedicated to supporting women recovering from this critical issue. Since its establishment in 2017, Mona’s House has empowered survivors by providing safe housing, counseling, and job training.

Ms. Hiller, a representative from the Peer Wellness pillar of Student Congress at Alden High School, spoke passionately about the mission of Mona’s House, emphasizing its commitment to preventing human trafficking and aiding victims in reclaiming their lives. “Their mission is to try to prevent that from happening to people in the future and to help people who have been trafficked get back on their feet,” she explained.

The assembly highlighted essential skills for students to recognize dangerous behaviors, particularly in online environments. Ms. Hiller urged attendees to identify suspicious communications and behaviors, empowering them to keep themselves safe and support friends who may be in perilous situations. “We want you guys to be able to identify if something is suspicious online or if some sort of communication is maybe not on the up and up,” she added.

This assembly is part of the Peer Wellness initiative’s speaker series, which aims to cover various relevant topics throughout the year, ranging from mental health to personal safety. Project Mona’s House set a positive tone for future discussions, encouraging students to engage with crucial issues affecting their community and beyond.

The assembly not only educated students about the dangers of human trafficking but also inspired them to take action and support the vital work being done by organizations like Mona’s House.