Taking Strides Toward a Future Free from Violence
Fairfield, CT – The Center for Family Justice (CFJ) invites the public to help raise awareness and take a stand against gender-based violence and raise funds for CFJ’s Camp Hope-Bridgeport during its 13th Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes® Saturday, April 26, downtown Fairfield Train Station.
Held in observance of April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes®” is a community walk against sexual assault and gender violence: sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Nationwide 81% of women and 43% of men have experienced some form or sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime with 1 in 8 female high school students reporting having experienced sexual dating violence in the last year, and 1 in 14 male high school students. Proceeds from the walk will support the Elizabeth M. Pfriem Camp HOPE America-Bridgeport and Pathways to Hope programs, CFJ’s therapeutic summer camp and year-long mentoring program for local youth who have been impacted by the trauma associated with domestic and/or sexual abuse. “I have always felt uncomfortable, now I have a place that believes me.” Survivor
Sponsored by Aquarian Water Company and organized by CJF’s White Ribbon Campaign Committee; a group of male volunteers and community leaders committed to taking a stand against gender-based violence. The walk will include appearances by state and local dignitaries and Take a Stand Leadership Award ceremony honoring Monroe Detective Stacy Cascante. The event will kick off with registration at 8AM, with the walk starting promptly at 9AM. The Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corp will perform and lead participants along the mile-long route to Fairfield’s Old Town Hall on Old Post Road.
“We are grateful for the partnership of the Town of Fairfield, Selectman Bill Gerber, and Chief Kalamaras, and our Chair of our Men’s Initiative, Gary MacNamara; our Chiefs from Bridgeport, Easton, Monroe, Trumbull, and Stratford; and we are thankful to our sponsors who help us raise proceeds for our youngest clients to attend Camp Hope/Elizabeth M. Pfriem Pathways to Hope so they can attend summer sleepaway camp. We encourage all our communities in Eastern Fairfield County to walk together,” says CEO/President Debra Greenwood.
“We wanted to do something publicly that demonstrated we wouldn’t stand for sexual violence in our communities, that we support sexual assault victims, and that together as a community we could make a difference. Walk a Mile has brought more awareness, more support, and more young people into the fight against sexual violence. We also know we have more work to do, and therefore more walking to do.” Gary MacNamara, chair of the White Ribbon Campaign and CFJ Board member. “For the 13th year in a row, I walk each April in Fairfield for others, and most importantly with others. If we could solve it alone, we would have. I hope you join us!”
To register for the walk, visit https://bit.ly/cfjwam25 Cost is $25 for adults $10 for students. You can register as a team or as an individual. For more information about the Walk a Mile event, call Lauren Cicchetti at CFJ’s main office number at (203) 334-6154.
The Center for Family Justice breaks the cycle of abuse and violence domestic, sexual and child – by providing services that create hope, restore lives and drive social change through education and community collaboration.
If you are in crisis and need help, please call our 24/7 hotlines:
Domestic Violence: 203-384-9559 • Sexual assault: 203-333-2233 • Spanish: 888-568-8332 •Text: (888) 999-5545
