Red Shoe Walk a 'big, splashy campaign' to take a stand against gender-based violence

There’s still time to stroll in style this month as part of the Red Shoe Walk, a charity event supporting My Friend’s House women’s shelter.

Formerly the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, the new iteration still features classic red pumps for men, but this time you can schedule your own walk anytime during the month of February.

The walks can be indoor or outdoor with large or small groups. Simply register your walk and submit your shoe size and My Friend’s House will supply the red heels made for walking and standing against gender-based violence.

Julie LeBlanc of My Friend’s House, was at council earlier this week to promote the walk and thank members of council for supporting the fundraising efforts.

She shared a story of a woman who escaped “brutality and violence” from her husband, faced a court battle and won full-custody of her children with help, support, and resources from My Friend’s House.

“Because of you and the leadership you provide and the community we live in, we are not keeping those dirty little secrets anymore,” said LeBlanc. “We are standing up and we are saying gender-based violence is wrong and we’re not going to stand for it.”

The Red Shoe Walk, said LeBlanc, is a bold statement that draws attention to My Friend’s House and to the need for services like a women’s shelter. She called it a “big, splashy campaign.”

“Wearing the red shoes and making a big production so everybody is looking at you and asking why you’re wearing them,” said LeBlanc. “You get to say because we’re breaking cycles and making sure the supports are in place and the money is raised.”

According to LeBlanc’s presentation to council on Feb. 18, My Friend’s House needs to raise $400,000 in donations annually.

She said the shelter’s funding has been cut, and financial need is growing.

“Provincially we are down $80,000 from what we received last year but our costs continue to increase,” said LeBlanc. “We are not ever going to turn somebody away because we don’t have the money to help, not when we have the opportunity to reach out to a community like this.”

You can participate in the Red Shoe Walk 2020 as a team or individual. The goal of this year’s event is to raise $10,000 for My Friend’s House.

For more on the Red Shoe Walk or to register, click here.