Walk a Mile Returns to Downtown SLO County for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Courtesy photo.
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and RISE is hosting Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® – The International Men’s March to End Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. It is often said, “You can’t understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” At the Walk a Mile event, SLO residents will literally walk a mile in solidarity with those who have experienced gender-based violence.
The 16th Annual San Luis Obispo walk takes place Saturday, April 28, in Mission Plaza. The presenting sponsor for the events is H&R Block. Participants will don high heels and march a loop around Downtown San Luis Obispo.
The event features live music, local vendors, kid-friendly activities, and community leaders participating as Celebrity Walkers. Celebrity Walkers are competing to raise the most funds for RISE and be named “Celebrity Walker of the Year.”
“The Walk a Mile events take a light-hearted approach to a very serious topic,” said RISE Executive Director Jennifer Adams. “We hope community members will join us ready to learn, connect, and become empowered in the fight to end gender-based violence.”
People of all ages, including families, are invited to participate. Registration is $25 per person, $15 for students, and $10 for kids and includes a goody bag and use of RISE’s shoes. Registration will be available at the event, but pre-registration is encouraged: Visit www.WalkAMileSLO.org to learn more, register, donate, and fundraise.
This will be the third Walk A Mile event hosted by RISE this month. The 2nd Annual Arroyo Grande walk took place Saturday, April 14, in Heritage Square Park. The 2nd Annual Cuesta College walk took place Thursday, April 19, on the Cuesta College SLO campus.
All proceeds from the event support RISE. For over 40 years, RISE has provided services for survivors and families in San Luis Obispo County, offering free and confidential services such as counseling, 24-hour crisis line, emergency shelter, and prevention education.
ABOUT RISE: RISE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (formerly SARP Center and North County Women’s Shelter) whose mission is to transform the lives of sexual and intimate partner violence survivors, their families, and the community through services and education that promote safety, healing, and empowerment. RISE provides the following programs: 24-hour crisis line, case management, restraining order assistance, accompaniment and advocacy, two emergency shelters, individual and group counseling, and prevention education.