A little over a year ago something happened to me. I won't speak of names or go into detail but I do want to speak on how it affected me and how it has affected people all over the world. This is my story, something happened to me and has affected me in many different ways. I have an extreme amount of trauma from it. It has broken my heart, and traumatized me mentally. For people who have been around me they know I have honestly tried to make my life a better one. I have done this because I am trying so hard to overcome my trauma and it was so hard doing that when I would get involved in different situations and didn't focus on myself. My life has changed drastically since the incident and there's nothing I can do but to change myself and my thinking. This will stick with me till the day I die. A person's whole demeanor can change in a heart beat because of another's actions. I have broken down, got back up, gone to hell and back in the past year but I like to think of it as God shaping who I will one day become. My heart is broken and will forever be broken, my ability to put myself out there will never be the same, my body will never be the same, and my emotional & social life will never be the same. I struggle every day with the thought of it but I will make it through. My heart, mind and soul will focus on myself from today forward by letting go. I will never forget that day but I will do everything in my power to get some kind of good out of it. There's moments where I just want to fall apart and I do, but I have pushed and moved forward from this. My mom told me "because the justice system is so screwed up, a lot of women use their power to empower other women and speak up about their situations" and that is what I want to do today. No one is ever alone, I hope everyone will one day find their peace in all the bad. Some people have made me out to a bad person because of their beliefs and that's okay, everyone has their own opinions. Be better!

Thank you so much for supporting this event because this organization has helped me for over a year now. 

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes raises critical funds to support survivors of sexual assault on Hawai`i Island.  Your donations support: forensic evidence collection, skilled nursing, crisis support and counseling, long term counseling, family support, transportation to appointments with law enforcement, and prosecutors, and basic safety needs following an assault. Our services are free and available to anyone. 

Walk to Support!

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes is a fun-filled morning for the whole family with three fabulous ways to support YWCA and sexual assault survivors. This year's event takes place from 7:30-10:30 am on Saturday, October 28th:

• Register to Walk and Fundraise in advance of the event to support our survivors (instructions below). Then join us at 145 Ululani Street in Hilo for a fun morning starting at 7:30 on October 28th; prizes for most funds raised, best decorated shoes, judges choice and more.  
• Donate: to donate to an individual that is participating to support victims of sexual violence, select the "DONATE" button on this page!   
• Sponsor the event: When you become an event sponsor,  you help make sure our YWCA team is there to help victims of sexual violence every day and make the 2023 Walk A Mile event the most successful yet. We also gratefully welcome donations of gift certificates or other prizes for walkers. 

Want to fundraise? 

1. All participants create an individual fundraising page. Start by clicking  "Become a fundraiser" above.
2. In the new window you can "Create New Account" or login to your existing account.  If you create a new account, an email will be sent to your email box - check junk if you don't see it right away. (If you don't get an email please contact events@ywcahawaiiisland.org or 808-930-5760).
3. The email will give you instructions on how to set up a fundraiser page.  
4. Customize your page with your fundraising goal, add a photo, and enter text that will encourage your friends & family to donate.
5. If you'd like to form a team, select the TEAM tab next! The more people on your team the better chance to win amazing prizes.  
6. Share your fundraising page link on social media and with family and friends to reach your goal. Can't make it that day?  That is ok, we have a virtual option too.  Just sign up now, gather pledges online and spread the word!

On the day of the event we will have shoes available in manly sizes and a variety of prizes and activities. Bring your own decorated shoes to join the best self-decorated shoes. @ywcahawaiiisland on Instagram and Facebook #HawaiiIslandWalkaMile.