January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the January 2026 theme emphasizes a holistic approach to prevention—connecting trafficking to other forms of violence and social vulnerabilities, while recognizing how technology, economic factors, and community resilience can either increase risk or help disrupt exploitation. On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, traffickers often take advantage of the region’s proximity to major metropolitan areas and three international airports, its location along a heavily traveled East Coast highway corridor, and the steady flow of visitors and seasonal workers tied to hospitality, farming, and fishing. Throughout the month, For All Seasons will lead a series of free training sessions and community education efforts across the Mid-Shore to help residents and professionals recognize red flags, strengthen online safety, and learn how to report concerns and connect people to support.

Beginning in early January 2026, For All Seasons will provide Human Trafficking Awareness 101 and Internet Safety Presentations across the five counties of the Mid Shore. These free trainings led by For All Seasons’ Regional Navigator, Susan Ahlstrom, will help participants learn the signs of human trafficking situations and address the growing risks of online exploitation, including sextortion, generative AI misuse, and grooming. The presentations highlight current trends and privacy risks impacting youth and other vulnerable populations and emphasize the importance of proactive online safety education. Presentations will be offered at the Queen Anne’s County Family Center (Sudlersville), the Queen Anne’s County Department of Social Services Adult Services, and Mid Shore Behavioral Health Forensic Workgroup and Crisis Intervention Team. A free lunch and learn community presentation will be held at For All Seasons’ Center for Learning at 111 E. Dover Street in Easton on Thursday, January 22, from 12 to 1p.m.

For All Seasons’ Center for Learning is also sharing two free online courses that can assist the community in identifying human trafficking and reporting it to local officials. Both courses are available to the public. The first course is “Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention for the Hospitality Industry.” This introductory online course trains hotel, motel, and short-term rental staff to recognize indicators of human trafficking in lodging settings and respond safely using real-world, non-confrontational actions and reporting.

The second course being offered is “Human Trafficking Awareness and Response for Mandated Reporters Training.” Human trafficking is a hidden crime that relies on secrecy and control. The vigilance of mandated reporters, including professionals in law enforcement, healthcare, social services, or education, can be a critical step toward safety and freedom for victims of human trafficking. This training is designed to help professionals identify the behavioral, physical, and environmental indicators, understand their legal obligations and protections, and follow clear steps to report. To register for the Hospitality Training, visit https://forallseasonsinc.lpages.co/human-trafficking-hospitality-training/. To register for the Mandated Reporter Training, visit https://centerforlearning.forallseasonsinc.org/mandated-reporter-training/.

“I recently completed the For All Seasons Human Trafficking Awareness and Response for Mandated Reporter Training and am grateful for this opportunity. As well as learning my role as a mandated reporter and the process for reporting, this training opened my eyes to the many aspects of human trafficking. The red flags and indicators I gathered from the training have been quite impactful. I am grateful that I now know,” commented Kathy Hanna of Affiliated Santé Group.

In January, businesses, community leaders, government organizations, schools, and concerned community members can also take part in The Red Sand Project, coordinated each year by For All Seasons. The red sand represents the victims of human trafficking who have slipped through the cracks yet may still be hiding in plain sight. For the last four years, participants from across the Shore have used this project to start a discussion about the causes and effects of human trafficking and exploitation. Those interested in picking up or having a red sand kit delivered to their office should reach out to Diane Ambrocio, Outreach and Marketing Coordinator at For All Seasons, at dambrocio@forallseasonsinc.org.

For All Seasons will also be working with public school students and their parents across the region. In early January,  For All Seasons will host educational activities and interactive games focused on human trafficking awareness and internet safety for students at Cambridge South Dorchester High School. The agency will also partner with the Caroline County Public Schools on an interactive parent–student education program focusing on preventing human trafficking and online sexual exploitation in February 2026. The program will include follow-up lessons for 10th graders in Caroline County Schools, developed by For All Seasons’ Center for Learning.

For further information about For All Seasons’ Anti-Human Trafficking Program and trainings, visit http://WeSupportSurvivors.org or contact Susan Ahlstrom at sahlstrom@forallseasonsinc.org.

Photo Caption: Business and community partners in Dorchester County participated in the Red Sand Project in 2025 to highlight the complexity of the problem of human trafficking.