Changes planned for Walk a Mile’s 10th anniversary in Sarnia

The Women’s Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton is making a few tweaks to this year’s Walk a Mile event.

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For starters, the 10th annual awareness and fundraising event for the agency that helps women and children fleeing domestic violence, is free to attend, said the home’s Josephine Ethier.

Registration fees at past walks helped raise funds for the home that offers shelter, programs, and is working to create transitional housing in the community, she said.

Last year, about $26,000 was raised, a strong result, despite fewer walkers than usual, she said, noting between 80 and 90 people took part.

Hopes are attendance this year gets a boost, she said.

The event is Nov. 2 in Lambton Mall, near Entrance 4, by Marshalls and Homesense, with registration at 10:30 am and the walk at 11 am, she said.

People are encouraged to register, and get pledge forms to raise money, if they choose, at womensintervalhome.comshe said.

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“It’s a fun experience to create awareness and… to break the stigma behind domestic violence, that it doesn’t need to be a closed-door conversation,” Ethier said.

The walk is also longer this year, she said, noting plans are for a full lap in the mall, pushing the distance closer to a mile.

Past walks were maybe half that distance, Ethier said.

Typically, walks have been held mid-month, but making this year’s earlier in November helps kick off domestic violence awareness month, she said.

“Because there’s other things happening,” she said.

People also are encouraged to change their exterior lights purple for the month, for an annual Shine the Light campaign, showing support for survivors and trying to encourage open conversations about domestic violence, she said.

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Places such as Lambton College, city hall in Sarnia and the Lambton Shared Services Center are on board this year and will be lit up in purple, she said.

“We’re really excited,” she said.

Back, meanwhile, are survivor stories on posters in Lambton Mall, going up during Walk a Mile and staying up for the Christmas season, she said.

“To let people know this is your community, these are your survivors, this is how close to home it is,” Ethier said.

The Walk a Mile event also includes music and dance, a free raffle, and survivors speaking, she said.

Raising funds for the Women’s Interval Home helps as it expands its services to meet local demand, she said, noting there’s almost always a wait list for services.

Expanding includes new restorative justice programs and ongoing research into acquired brain injurymore plans for more transitional housing to support survivors, she said.

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