Adam Legg grew up like many of us, thinking to himself, “There are injustices in other places, but not here where I live.” Unknown to Adam, who lives in Anchorage, his hometown had the capacity to beat national statistics on issues like homelessness, human trafficking, and more. In 2017, 28% of youths in Anchorage experienced human trafficking. It wasn’t long until the truth caught up with Adam.
“I began to notice the stats, the headlines,” he says, “there comes a point when you can no longer deny the facts around you, and the truth demands a response: ‘If this is true in my state, then what is my responsibility?'”
Adam responded above and beyond most, founding Love Alaska, a non-profit organization whose mission is to mobilize the faith community in Anchorage to serve in areas of injustice. Love Alaska is a parent organization to Priceless, an anti-trafficking organization with over 200 volunteers, and Chosen, an initiative that connects kids who are aging out of the foster care system with trained mentors.
“Thousands of people sit in our local churches, oblivious to what is happening, just like I did. My role is to open their eyes to the reality of the injustices in our world, to get them asking themselves: ‘What is my responsibility in fighting that?'” Love Alaska hosts “Engage” weekend trainings on a regular basis for people who are interested in becoming involved with Priceless or Chosen. The next event is in April.
“We see the impact on two fronts.” Adam says, “First, there are the lives of the people we serve, helping them with their practical needs. There is a 25-year old that my wife and I are mentoring right now through Chosen. Just the other day we were helping her complete an application for housing. Second, there is watching normal, everyday people have an impact in areas of injustice. It is amazing to watch when an average 40-hour-per-week working family sees that they can make a difference in human trafficking in Alaska.”