The Women’s Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton is hosting one of its largest annual fundraisers this weekend.
Dozens are expected to take part in the Walk a Mile event, taking place Saturday at Lambton Mall.
The initiative is aimed at raising awareness about domestic and gender-based violence, while also raising funds to support programs offered by the organization.
Executive Director Corrie Henderson said there will be speakers and survivors on hand, sharing their stories.
She said the Women's Interval Home offers a wide range of services.
"We are a crisis shelter for women who have experienced violence," said Henderson. "We offer a crisis response and we have a crisis telephone line that women can call. We offer shelter services here where women can come in and have safety and supports with our counsellors that we have on site. We also offer services for children, both who come into the shelter or need support within the community because they have been in homes where there's been domestic violence."
Henderson said the organization also offers a support program called 'Empower You' which helps women recognize their value, be empowered in their lives and working toward safety and security.
"There's a real solidarity piece to what we're doing," she said. "The community is rallying behind them and there's an awareness about what's happening and the community is saying 'this isn't okay',".
She said they used to walk in high heels, but that's now a thing of the past.
"Just to be safe and make sure everyone can participate, we've taken out the high heels part," she said. "We invite anyone and everyone to come and walk with us." The goal is to at least match last year's fundraising total of $35,000, and they're offering some raffle prizes.
The Walk a Mile event will take place at the mall from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
There's no fee to register.
More information can be found on the organization's Facebook page.
