For the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of volunteering my time and drone photography skills for the Red Sand Project with Family Services of Blair County. The project’s mission is simple but powerful — raise awareness about human trafficking and the many cracks in our social systems that allow it to continue.
The symbol is striking: bright red sand poured into the cracks of sidewalks, streets, and public spaces. It’s a visual reminder that people often fall through the cracks — unseen, unheard, and unhelped.
A Different Perspective
In 2024 and 2025, I captured aerial images of Red Sand Project installations across Blair County:
- Roaring Spring
- Altoona Library
- Downtown Altoona
- Bellwood Antis Pool & Farmers Market
- Hollidaysburg
From above, the red lines become more than just sand in cracks — they form patterns, connections, and sometimes stark reminders of just how many cracks there are. It’s impossible to ignore the visual metaphor when you see them all at once.
Why It Matters
Human trafficking isn’t always visible. It hides in plain sight, often overlooked because it doesn’t fit the stereotypes people imagine. The Red Sand Project is about changing that — sparking conversation, building awareness, and pushing communities to recognize and address the gaps in protection, prevention, and support.
By photographing these installations from the air, I hope to add another layer to the story. From this view, you see not just individual cracks but a network of them — making it clear that filling them is hard work, but necessary work.
A Call to Awareness
These images are more than art. They’re a call to action.
Next time you see red sand in the cracks of your own sidewalks, take a moment to think about what it represents — and what you can do to help ensure fewer people slip through the cracks.
If you’d like to learn more or support the mission of the Red Sand Project locally, reach out to Family Services of Blair County and see how you can get involved.
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