Rocky Steps event kicks off 90-day effort to raise awareness and funding for survivors
A Philadelphia landmark will once again serve as the backdrop for a growing movement aimed at fighting human trafficking, as Worthwhile prepares to host its annual “Step Up for Freedom” event on April 30.
The free event will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, inviting participants to walk or run the iconic “Rocky Steps” while taking part in a day of food, music and community engagement. Organizers said in a release the event is designed to bring people together around a shared mission: raising awareness about human trafficking and supporting survivors.
“Step Up for Freedom” serves as the official launch of the organization’s 2026 Act Challenge, a 90-day global initiative running from May 1 through July 30. Participants track miles through activities such as walking, running, biking, swimming or paddling, with each mile helping unlock pledged funding from sponsors and donors. Those funds go directly toward programs that support individuals recovering from trafficking.
According to Worthwhile, the Act Challenge has grown into a wide-reaching campaign, engaging thousands of participants each year and reaching more than 600,000 people through awareness efforts. The initiative is open to individuals and teams of all fitness levels, making it accessible to a broad audience.
Executive Director Dan Emr said the program is about turning awareness into action.
“Every mile logged helps us reach over 8,000 students with prevention education each year and provide life-changing support like housing, counseling, and employment to hundreds of survivors of trafficking,” Emr said in a release.
The nonprofit provides a range of services through its programs, including prevention education, long-term housing and support services, and job training opportunities. In 2026, Worthwhile expects to serve hundreds of adults and more than 8,000 youth through its expanding programs.
Organizers said the April 30 kickoff is more than a symbolic start — it is a call for communities to get involved in addressing what remains one of the fastest-growing criminal industries worldwide.
Registration for both the kickoff event and the Act Challenge is open online.
