By Sheldon Spackman

Walk This Way

Central Albertans Walk A Mile in support of domestic violence victims

May 26, 2020 | 4:43 PM

Despite a weakened economy and public gathering restrictions due to COVID-19, officials with Women’s Outreach in Red Deer are celebrating the success of this year’s virtual edition of the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event.

Running online from May 15-24, the event maintained its goal of raising public awareness around domestic violence and fundraising for the many programs and services it offers the community.

Although fundraising totals are still being tallied, Women’s outreach executive director Barb Barber says roughly $16,500 has been collected so far.

“I’m just very grateful and very blessed that we live in a community that really takes care of its own and stands behind our agency,” she says. “We have to fundraise between 10-12 per cent of our operational budget, and so this money is going to go towards our programs and services that support victims of domestic violence. So that also includes some of the programs that we offer out of The Dragonfly Centre in regards to play therapy for children who have trauma from domestic violence.”

Barber notes the significant impact these programs and services have on the community.

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“If we can help provide that hope and actually hope for all, to me, hope makes a huge impact in our community and it helps people be able to step forward,” says Barber.

During a health pandemic such as the current COVID-19 crisis, Barber suggests it’s important to remember that their very important services are still being offered, just in a different way right now.

“Despite the isolation and needing to physically distance ourselves from other people,” continues Barber. “Just continue to reach out to your neighbours and your friends and co-workers, just to make sure that everybody is doing OK. We just need to take care of each other.”

If you still want to support Women’s Outreach but didn’t get a chance to walk, donations can be made at www.womensoutreach.ca. Tax receipts are issued for any donation over $25.