“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” Fundraiser, Oct 22, 2016

YWCA Hawaii Island hosts the sixth annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser Saturday, October 22. The one-mile march begins at 7:30 a.m. at the YWCA Ululani Street campus.

The goal is to raise $25,000 for the YWCA Hawaii Island Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) program, the only 24-hour, 7-days a week rape crisis center for the island. SASS services are free and include crisis counseling, therapy for assault survivors and their families, forensic evidence collection and violence prevention education for schools and the community.

Join in pledging support for Pastor Eric Anderson, and others from Church of the Holy Cross, who are participating in this event.

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so ‘Walk a Mile’ is a chance for men to literally walk in women’s shoes. It’s also an opportunity to call for an end to sex assault, rape and gender violence in our community,” said Kathleen McGilvray, CEO of YWCA Hawaii Island. “Sadly, nearly 50 percent of our SASS clients are 18 and under. Every dollar raised will be used to help survivors address and move through the trauma of sex assault.”

In 2015, SASS responded to more than 2,441 crisis and support calls from survivors and their families, opened 329 cases, provided 1,929 hours of therapy and performed 50 sexual assault forensic medical exams.

March participants are asked to report to the kick-off site (145 Ululani Street in Hilo) by 7:30 a.m. to register, select shoes and warm up for the walk. Walkers can wear decorated shoes for the judges’ choice contest. All participants must complete an entry form and submit a $25 registration fee.

Those interested in participating in the walk – individually or as a team – or being an event sponsor should contact Events@YWCAHawaiiIsland.org or call the YWCA office at 935-7141 ext 111.