At 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, YWCA of Hawaii Island’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” a march to end sexual assault, rape and gender violence, will step off from the downtown Hilo campus of the YWCA at 145 Ululani St. and simultaneously from the Kona International Market.
Mayor Billy Kenoi and Wally Lau will lead the march and address participants at the YWCA kick-off sites in Kona and Hilo, where march participants will register, select their shoes and warm up for the walk. The 1-mile march will proceed through downtown Hilo and Kona International Market and back to the kick-off sites, where prizes will be awarded to the top fund-raisers.
Joining Kenoi and Lau will be Hawaii Police Deputy Chief Paul Ferreira, Police Assistant Chief Paul Kealoha, County Prosecutor Mitch Roth, J.E. Orozco and G. Cruz, who will lead teams of walkers from their respective organizations.
“Inspired by the saying, ‘You can’t understand a person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes,’ we’re asking men to walk in women’s shoes to show their support to end violence against women and girls,” said YWCA Board President Karen Hayashida. “We are reminded all too frequently that the violence continues, right here in our community. The fact is, every three hours someone on the island of Hawaii is sexually assaulted. We must all step forward to make Hawaii Island a safer, healthier community.”
Teams from organizations in the community, including those from businesses, government agencies, law firms and nonprofit groups, also will be represented. Women, teens and children also will join in the walk to demonstrate the entire community’s support.
A group may join to march together as a team. Individuals may also sign up, or they may be enlisted through their co-workers, friends or partners.
All walkers are urged to get pledges from family, friends and co-workers to support their participation ($10 for an individual) and to help raise awareness and funds.
All proceeds from the Walk A Mile event directly benefit the YWCA of Hawaii Island Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) program, the only 24-hour, seven-day-a-week rape crisis center for Hawaii Island. YWCA SASS services are offered for free and include crisis counseling and therapy to assault victims and their families, and violence prevention education to schools and the community.
YWCA of Hawaii Island is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is the elimination of racism and empowerment of women. Established in 1919, the organization offers services and programs that include a nationally accredited preschool, the only Teen Court for the Big Island and the only nationally accredited home visitation program in the state, Healthy Start, and the Enhanced Healthy Start program to prevent child abuse and neglect for all of East Hawaii.
For more information about the YWCA, visit www.ywcahawaiiisland.org.
