This year’s Walk a Mile in Their Shoes event has raised $38,341.71 for YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
Held last Friday (May 22) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the annual fundraiser saw members of the community come together in downtown Peterborough to support women, children, and gender-diverse individuals escaping the effects of gender-based violence.
After hearing remarks from local dignitaries including Peterborough MP Emma Harrison, Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark, Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts, and YWCA Peterborough Haliburton executive director Kim Dolan, participants marched from Confederation Square through the downtown and back, while sporting everything from red sneakers to high heels as footwear to wearing inflatable shark costumes.
While members of the community and local businesses cheered from the sidelines, walkers chanted for an end to violence and served as a visible reminder of solidarity for survivors of domestic abuse. After returning to Confederation Square, participants enjoyed pizza from Domino’s Pizza and ice cream from Kawartha Dairy.
“While intimate partner violence continues to be an epidemic in our community and a serious issue we must continue discussing if we want to see real change, we also recognize that it is important to celebrate the brave survivors who have escaped and are on their healing journey,” said YWCA Peterborough Haliburton director of philanthropy Tina Thornton in a media release.
“The amount of confidence and reliance it takes to leave an abusive situation is huge and so, while Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is about educating the public on the stark realities of gender-based violence, it is also meant to be a fun day where those who have been impacted by gender-based violence can see that there is kindness, support, and joy to be had as they embark on their own healing journeys.”
Funds raised from this year’s event will support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs and services, part of a wrap-around care model known as HER Journey of Care that not only includes access to safe shelter, but supportive counselling, court support, and other services intended to help survivors of gender-based violence begin a new life.
“When a woman walks through our doors, we know that it takes so much more than just having access to a safe place to stay to help her find a future free from violence,” Thornton said.
“This is why HER Journey of Care works to provide clients with an organic and individualized process that can help a woman in need escape her dangerous situation, but also recover emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We work hard to walk alongside our clients in whatever capacity they need so that they can go from that place of fear and control to safety, healing, and independence.”
On behalf of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, Thornton thanked the community for continuing to support the non-profit organization’s work and everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.
“When you donate to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, not only are you helping someone in need get out of a dangerous situation, you’re helping them access all of the resources needed to take those important next steps,” she said. “We strongly believe that it takes full community support to help those escaping gender-based violence, and this event just proves the power of that collective action.”
For more information about YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and to donate, visit ywcapeterborough.org.
