Past Walk a Mile in HER shoes Red Deer event (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

The Outreach Centre

Red Deerians called to ‘Walk a Mile in HER Shoes’; fundraising for domestic and sexual violence

Aug 30, 2023 | 2:37 PM

Empathy is coming in red this season as Red Deerians gather for the ‘Walk A Mile in HER Shoes’ fundraising event.

Taking place on September 13, the event aims to not only raise funds to end gender-based and domestic violence, but also raise awareness for the cause by walking around the downtown in bright red pumps.

Funds in Red Deer will go towards The Outreach Centre’s supports, advocacy and services to individuals and families experiencing violence, like safety planning, transitional housing, counselling and more.

“The idea is to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and it’s really about ending domestic and sexual violence. So many of the families and people that we serve throughout central Alberta have experienced either childhood sexual abuse or are in an intimate partner relationship that’s violent, and really, at the end of the day, we want to raise awareness, we want to educate the public and we want kids growing up in healthy, loving, supportive, non-abusive families so that they’ve got the best shot at a life of success. We want to break the silence and end the violence,” said Ian Wheeliker, Executive Director of the Centre.

While the event has been taking place in the city over the past decade, it began in 2001 by a Californian man name Frank Baird, who wanted a way for men to get involved in the cause, affecting both women and men, and raise funds for rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and programs.

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“It’s a way for people that care about domestic and sexual violence victims to get involved and it’s a way for men to feel like they’re doing something in terms of addressing the issue,” he said.

With registration beginning at 10 a.m. and the walk at 11 a.m., Dustin Moore, Fund Development and Event Specialist at The Outreach Centre, says participants will receive a free Co-Op barbeque and awards ceremony at noon. People who did not participate in the walk are also being invited to the barbeque, located in parking lot four on Little Gaetz, for a donation to the cause.

He says this is the first time the event will be taking place in the downtown area, organized by the Downtown Business Association.

Moore says it has become a cool community event where local businesses, sports team in football, rugby and hockey, as well as individuals who have experienced these traumas first or second hand, can come together for the cause.

He adds that partner agencies offering other community services will also be setting up booths that day.

While the streets won’t be closed for the walk, Wheeliker says he has pallets of red heels from sizes seven to 17 that will fit the “biggest dudes around”.

With 55 people already registered, this year’s fundraising goal is $100,000. Registration is $500 for businesses and sports teams or $30 for individuals.

The Centre thanked their local sponsors for their help in supporting the event.

Route and parking information will be updated on their website.