Abuse and violence against women and children is an issue for the entire community and you can show your support by joining this year’s YWCA Freedom Walk, which begins at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 2nd at Nicholls Oval in Peterborough.
Whether you collect pledges and participate in the walk yourself, volunteer to help at the walk, sponsor a walker or team, or sponsor the event itself, you can show the community that violence against women is unacceptable — while helping the YCWA deliver vital services and supports needed for women and children fleeing abuse.
While the YWCA Freedom Walk addresses a serious issue, the day will be a fun one for the entire family (even the family dog)!
Walkers can choose from a two, five, or 10 kilometre walk along Peterborough’s beautiful Rotary Greenway Trail. The first kilometre of the trail will include a children’s scavenger hunt.
Following the walk, walkers and sponsors can return to Nicholls Oval Pavilion for a free lunch, music, prizes, and activities for children including face painting and more.
Online registration is now open at www.ywcafreedomwalk.com, where you can also sponsor a walker or a team. Walkers who register online and raise over $100 will receive a free water bottle.
For 124 years, the YWCA has been a leader in addressing the needs of women and children in Peterborough, including through programs to address violence against women.
Over 14,000 women and children have found safety at the YWCA Crossroads Shelter, and many more thousands of women have been helped and supported through the crisis line, counselling, and other programs.
Every dollar raised from the Freedom Walk will help women and children fleeing violence, nuturing their potential in an abuse-free environment, and strengthening the entire community. Here are some examples of how funds raised through the YWCA Freedom Walk can help:
- $72 to comfort a child. When children arrive at the YWCA Crossroads Shelter with nothing, your support will provide them with the comforts to see them through — from diapers to PJs to a teddy to cuddle.
- $172 for one night of safe haven. While at the Crossroads Shelter, a woman will receive 24-hour support, food, clothing, personal necessities, and help developing a safety plan.
- $275 for nutritional well-being. Lack of money or access to food means a woman went hungry so her children wouldn’t. You can help nourish her with healthy food and support from a nutritional well-being worker.
- $500 towards thriving. Through investment in education, work on advocacy, and truly innovative food programs, the YWCA can help all women and children to thrive.
You can help by signing up as a walker or by pledging to support walkers. To sign up or to volunteer, contact Nicole Paré, YWCA Special Events Coordinator, at 705-743-3526 x128 or at npare@ywcapeterborough.org.
All photos courtesy of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton
