Western PA Search and Rescue Development Center

08/22/2026

👀 HUMAN TRAFFICKING FACTS YOU MAY NOT KNOW

Human trafficking doesn’t always look like what we see in movies. Knowing what it can actually look like is an important part of recognizing the signs.

🔹 Trafficking does not always involve kidnapping. Traffickers may use manipulation, threats, fraud, coercion, or someone’s vulnerabilities to maintain control.

🔹 A person can be trafficked without ever crossing a state or national border. Human trafficking can happen within someone’s own community.

🔹 Traffickers aren’t always strangers. A trafficker can be someone the victim knows, trusts, dates, works for, or depends on.

🔹 Trafficking isn’t only s*x trafficking. Labor trafficking can occur when someone is compelled to work or provide services through force, fraud, or coercion.

🔹 Someone experiencing trafficking may still go to work, attend school, use a phone, or interact with other people. There isn’t one appearance or behavior that identifies a trafficking situation.

🔹 You don't have to be law enforcement to help. Learning what to look for and how to safely respond is a powerful first step.

👀 Think you would recognize the signs?

Take the free I AM ON WATCH** human trafficking awareness training at iamonwatch.org.

Learn the signs. Stay aware. Be on watch.

Learn to recognize the signs of s*x trafficking.

08/21/2026

🌐 Have you checked out our website lately?

There’s a lot happening at WPSARDC, and our website is the easiest way to stay connected and see what we’re up to!

Visit [www.wpsardc.org](http://www.wpsardc.org) to:

📬 Sign up for our monthly newsletter and keep up with programs, events, and community outreach.

🙋 Learn how to volunteer and get involved with WPSARDC.

🥫 Find information about donating food and other needed items to support the individuals and families we serve.

💙 Make a monetary donation to help support our programs and community efforts.

🌱 See what our WPSARDC-Bluegrass Division is up to and learn more about the outreach, events, and programs happening in the Lexington area.

Whether you want to volunteer, donate, stay informed, or just learn more about what we do, you can find it all in one place!

👉 [www.wpsardc.org](http://www.wpsardc.org)

08/20/2026

💙 THURSDAY THOUGHT: August is about taking care of ourselves, our neighbors, and our community.

August recognizes National Wellness Month, National Civility Month, and National Make-A-Will Month. They may sound like three very different things, but they all come back to something we believe strongly at WPSARDC: looking out for one another and being prepared.

Here in the Pittsburgh area, that happens in many different ways.

🥫 Our Food Market Days help individuals and families access food and everyday necessities.

🐾 The Pawsitive Pet Pantry helps families keep their pets cared for when finances get tight.

📍 Operation: Take Me Home provides an added layer of safety for individuals who may be at risk of wandering.

🤝 Through the Callie Outreach Center, we work to connect people with resources, assistance, and support when they need it.

And National Make-A-Will Month is an important reminder that taking care of the people we love also means planning ahead for the future.

Wellness is more than physical health, and civility is more than simply being polite. Strong communities are built when people feel supported, respected, connected, and cared for.

That’s what community is all about. 💙

08/19/2026

📬 Have you read the Community Chronicle yet? 👀

There’s always something happening at WPSARDC and WPSARDC-Bluegrass Division, and the Community Chronicle is where we bring it all together! 💙

Community outreach, upcoming events, new programs, helpful resources, volunteer opportunities and a peek at what’s coming next — you’ll find it all in our monthly newsletter.

☕ Grab your coffee and catch up with us!

👉 Subscribe to the Community Chronicle at [www.wpsardc.org](http://www.wpsardc.org)

See what we’ve been up to, what’s ahead, and how you can get involved! 💙

Missing Persons, Homeless Outreach, Human Trafficking, Adults with Disabilities and Autism, Alzheimer's Western Pennsylvania Search & Rescue Development Center

08/15/2026

💙 Today is National Relaxation Day!

Taking time to slow down, breathe, and recharge is an important part of our overall wellness. But we also know it can be difficult to relax when you're worried about putting food on the table, caring for your pets, finding resources, or keeping a loved one safe.

That's where community support matters.

At WPSARDC, our programs are designed to help ease some of those everyday worries — from our Food Market and Pawsitive Pet Pantry to the Callie Outreach Center and Operation: Take Me Home.

Today, take a little time for yourself. And remember, when life gets overwhelming, it's okay to lean on the resources available in your community.

08/14/2026

👀 Heading into the weekend, Pittsburgh? Stay aware.

Whether you're headed to a game, a concert, a festival, out with friends, or just going about your weekend, take a few minutes to learn the signs of human trafficking.

I AM ON WATCH provides free training designed to help everyday people recognize situations that may not look quite right and know what to do next.

You don't have to be an expert. You just have to know what to look for.

Take the training. Learn the signs. Carry that knowledge with you wherever you go.

🔗 iamonwatch.org

Learn to recognize the signs of s*x trafficking.

08/13/2026

💙 Thursday at WPSARDC | Supporting Our Community

August is National Wellness Month and National Civility Month, and both are good reminders that strong communities are built when people look out for one another.

At WPSARDC, that can take many different forms.

🥫 Our Food Market helps individuals and families who may need a little extra help putting food on the table.

🐾 Our Pawsitive Pet Pantry helps families care for their pets during difficult times.

📍 Operation: Take Me Home provides an added layer of safety for individuals who may be at risk of wandering.

🤝 The Callie Outreach Center connects people with resources, assistance and support when they need it.

Social wellness is about connection, belonging and having support within your community. Civility is about how we treat one another along the way.

Sometimes building a stronger community really is as simple as recognizing a need and doing what we can to help meet it.

Learn more about WPSARDC and the resources we offer at:
🌐 [www.wpsardc.org](http://www.wpsardc.org)

Missing Persons, Homeless Outreach, Human Trafficking, Adults with Disabilities and Autism, Alzheimer's Western Pennsylvania Search & Rescue Development Center

08/11/2026

💙 TODAY IS NATIONAL SON AND DAUGHTER DAY!

They make us proud. They make us laugh. They keep us on our toes. And somehow, they grow up WAY faster than we’re prepared for.

Today is simply a reminder to celebrate the sons and daughters in our lives — whether they’re 5, 25 or 55.

Give them an extra hug, make the phone call, send the text, or simply remind them how much they mean to you. 💙

Happy National Son and Daughter Day!

08/10/2026

📬 WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE’RE UP TO?

From Pittsburgh to the Bluegrass, there’s always something happening at WPSARDC!

Community programs. Upcoming events. Outreach. Resources. And what we’re working on next. 👀

👉 Head over to www.wpsardc.org and sign up for our newsletter!

Stay connected. See what’s happening. And maybe even find a new way to get involved. 💙

Missing Persons, Homeless Outreach, Human Trafficking, Adults with Disabilities and Autism, Alzheimer's Western Pennsylvania Search & Rescue Development Center

08/10/2026

💙 Hope you had a great weekend!

A new week is here, and we’re continuing to recognize some important August awareness months — National Civility Month, National Wellness Month, and National Dog Month! 🐾

As you head into the week, remember that making a difference doesn’t always require doing something big.

💙 Show someone a little kindness.
🌿 Do something good for your own well-being.
🐾 And give the dog an extra walk… or at least an extra treat. We’re pretty sure they’ll accept either. 😂

Here’s to a great week ahead and finding small ways to make our communities a little better along the way.