I will never forget the very first Run2overcome in 2008. Over 1000 community supporters showed up to run and walk a 5k in support of one survivor. Just days after her assault total strangers rallied around to support her, to raise money for her, to show her that she was not alone. The route was in the neighborhood where she was assaulted, the neighborhood where her family lived. Every participant literally walked in her footsteps on that day. This was prior to #MeToo and was a bold move to host an event to draw attention to such a horrendous crime that was rarely talked about, which made it even more powerful. You could feel the love and support at the event and most importantly, the survivor felt it and knew that she was not alone.
My wish for every survivor is that they have a community of support that shows them that they are believed, loved, supported, and not alone. Each year our event has grown and each year I hear directly from survivors who are participating in the event. They tell us how powerful it is to see that so people show up for survivors, survivors like them. They tell us empowering it is to participate in the event as they walk and run among supports who may never know what their support has done for them. They tell us how grateful they are that the community shows up to support the Center that gave them hope and saved their lives.
Whether you are a runner, walker, volunteer, and/ or donor, you are sending a message to survivors that you care. You are letting survivors know that they are not alone. You are sending a clear message that survivors are loved, believed, and supported not only on the day of the event, but every day of the year. You may be running or walking alongside a survivor on the course and never know what they have survived, but they see you and know that you are there because you care. You may be a survivor who is running and walking and feeling the support and empowerment and leading the path for other survivors to follow. Every step that we take on the course sends a message, a message of love and support for survivors, for our community, and for Julie Valentine Center.
Your participation means more than you will ever know. Every dollar that you donate towards our goal of $100,000 supports survivors by allowing us to continue to provide services to more than 2000 individuals each year. Many who walk through our doors tell us that our services were not only life changing, but life-saving. I hope that you will join me for the 14th Annual Run2Overcome. I hope that you will take a stand for survivors by walking and running with them on the course and/ or donating to the event.
