Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties donates office for efforts
IN OUR BACKYARD (IOB), a non-profit organization in the fight against human trafficking, spearheaded an initiative during Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas. With the help of law enforcement, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and volunteers, 16 out of 36 children were recovered within one week of the Super Bowl. IOB always gives 100% of the credit to law enforcement and NCMEC. To make these efforts possible, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties (BHHS) donated its office space as a central command post for the operation.
NCMEC reports that an estimated 199,000 incidents of minor sexual exploitation occur each year in the United States, with the average age of entry 12-14 for girls and 11-13 for boys. In 2023, it was reported that one in six missing children were likely victims of child sex trafficking. For over 15 years, IOB has been raising awareness and implementing extensive efforts to combat this global crisis.
The Super Bowl initiative brought together more than 150 volunteers, including law enforcement, community members and survivors, at the BHHS-donated command post. The space was pivotal for coordinating efforts to identify leads and recover missing children.
The collaborative effort gathered 623 suspected human trafficking connections and produced 95 verified leads. These leads served law enforcement with actionable tips to investigate suspected traffickers through a victim-centered approach.
Sara Weller, Realtor with BHHS and the hub-leader for IOB’s Arizona location, helped secure and implement the command post and initiative. As a volunteer, she has been in the fight against human trafficking for more than eight years.
“The moment you walk into a room that is wall-to-wall with faces of children, each marked either as ‘found’ or ‘missing,’ it leaves a lasting mark on your soul,” said Weller. “You cannot unsee those images or forget the stories of those who have been recovered. Hearing firsthand accounts from children who have found their way back home makes it impossible to remain on the sidelines. This cause has been at the forefront of my mind for over eight years, and it continues to drive my commitment to this work.”
The initiative’s impact was amplified by a large volunteer-driven outreach event the Saturday before the Super Bowl, where 117 volunteers distributed over 10,000 missing children’s booklets to convenience stores, part of the “Convenience Stores Against Trafficking” program.
“I have immense respect for this team. The truth is, many of us live within our own bubbles, sheltered from the harsher realities of the world. This organization exemplifies the importance of stepping out into the real world to actively drive change,” said Troy Reierson, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada, Arizona and California Properties. “Their dedication is not only inspirational, but also serves as a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when we unite for a common goal.”
The emphasis on significant events such as the Super Bowl, which are associated with a rise in trafficking incidents, highlights the importance of awareness and joint efforts. If you would like to get involved in the fight against human trafficking, contact Melissa at melissa@inourbackyard.org.
To learn more about In Our Backyard, visit https://inourbackyard.org/. To learn more about Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties, visit https://www.bhhsnv.com/.
ABOUT BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES NEVADA PROPERTIES
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties is a wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., which also includes Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. The firms are leaders in their respective markets with 34 offices and 3,200 real estate sales executives. In 2021, the firm completed a record-breaking $9.3 billion in residential home sales throughout Nevada, Arizona and Southern California.
ABOUT IN OUR BACKYARD
In Our Backyard links arms across America to fight human trafficking through education, mobilization and partnership. Its seven awareness and prevention programs protect the vulnerable, help bring justice to perpetrators, connect survivors to services and conduct efforts surrounding large events like the Super Bowl.