Walk to help free women and children from violence

The annual YWCA Freedom Walk takes place May 2 at Nicholls Oval in Peterborough

By Jeannine Taylor -
Published
The annual YWCA Freedom Walk takes place on Saturday, May 2nd at Nicholls Oval in Peterborough. Funds raised through the walk will support the YWCA's programs and services to help women and children in the community who are fleeing violence.
The annual YWCA Freedom Walk takes place on Saturday, May 2nd at Nicholls Oval in Peterborough. Funds raised through the walk will support the YWCA's programs and services to help women and children in the community who are fleeing violence.

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.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton presents
YWCA Freedom Walk

When: Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. (rain or shine)
Where: Nicholls Oval (725 Armour Road, Peterborough)

Onsite registration begins at 9:45 a.m., followed by warm-up exercise at 10:15 a.m. The walk begins at 10:30 a.m. (2, 5, and 10 kilometre walks available) with a free lunch and activities beginning at 11:30 a.m. Awarding of prizes and the closing ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m.

For more information, to register online, to sponsor a walker, or for volunteer opportunities, visit www.ywcafreedomwalk.com.

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.

After the walk, the event also includes fun activities for the entire family like face painting.
After the walk, the event also includes fun activities for the entire family like face painting.
The Freedom Walk is one way that the YWCA raises funds to address the needs of women and children in the community, which continue to exceed the level of funding that the government provides. Each year, around 30% of the YWCA’s costs (over $1 million) is not covered by funding from the different levels of government and other agencies.

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.
Donations made through YWCA Freedom Walk help to support the YWCA’s programs and services. The above values and descriptions are representations of how funds can help.
Participants warm up prior to embarking on the YWCA Freedom Walk.
Participants warm up prior to embarking on the YWCA Freedom Walk.

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

RECENT STORIESMORE FROM AUTHOR