HILO, HI (September 27, 2024)—YWCA of Hawaii Island has launched an ambitious capital campaign that…
2024 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Men’s March is Oct. 26
HILO, HI (Oct. 8, 2024)—YWCA of Hawaii Island will hold its 15th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser on Saturday, October 26 from 8 – 9 a.m.
Men from across the island will march in high heels in solidarity against rape, sexual assault and gender violence, raising funds and awareness for YWCA’s Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) program.
Starting at YWCA headquarters at 145 Ululani St., the walk is a lighthearted spectacle with a serious purpose. It’s held to acknowledge and support the many sexual assault survivors in our Big Island community and highlight the free, confidential and compassionate resources available through SASS.
Under Program Director Lisa Lamorte-Williams, SASS has expanded services and partnerships over the last two years. The program has more than doubled its team of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (there are now nine SANE nurses practicing island-wide), greatly reducing the wait time for victims.
A new partnership with the US Army at Pohakuloa ensures that the increased number of military personnel deployed to the training area have ample information and access to the program.
Lamorte-Williams is particularly proud of her team’s dedication to providing a trauma informed approach to care. At Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital that includes private emergency examination rooms away from the stress and chaos of the ER; non-emergency exams can be conducted confidentially in SASS’s comfortable private office. Continuity of care is another focus: SASS provides a warm hand-off to related services when a victim requires care outside their scope.
SASS is committed to supporting any victim/survivor: women, men, children and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. “Sexual assault is something we hope never happens,” Lamorte-Williams said. “But the reality is that it can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, orientation, economic status or marital status. And when it does, we are here to help with both immediate care and long-term healing and empowerment.”
To that end, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes invites the entire community to fundraise, sponsor, donate, and walk with family, friends, clubs, businesses or solo. Prizes for top fundraisers and best decorated shoes! Register to walk or donate at www.ywcahawaiiisland.org.
About SASS
For more than 40 years, YWCA of Hawai‘i Island has provided SASS services for both victims and survivors. The agency’s free, island-wide services include the county’s only 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline, (808) 935-0677, a Medical Forensic Exam Program and counseling support for the survivor and family members.
SASS responds to approximately 2,150 crisis and support calls from or on behalf of victims of sexual violence per year. SASS is the only such resource available on Hawai‘i Island.
About YWCA of Hawaii Island
Established in 1919, YWCA of Hawaii Island is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. To accomplish this mission, YWCA of Hawaii Island has evolved to address some of the most pressing needs of the community. Today, its three core programs are Sexual Assault Support Services, the YWCA Preschool, and Healthy Families.
YWCA of Hawaii Island is headquartered at 145 Ululani St. in Hilo. Telephone: (808) 935-7141; on the web at www.ywcahawaiiisland.org.
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