Dozens turn out to 'Walk a Mile in Her Shoes' in Barrie
Dozens turned out in Barrie Saturday to show support and raise awareness for gender-based violence.
After more than a year with no in-person gatherings, the Women & Children's Shelter of Barrie held a scaled-down version of one of its most prominent fundraisers.
"This is our first Walk a Mile since the beginning of the pandemic, so we are just really proud to be coming together and walking in support of ending violence against women," says Katie Taylor, the development manager for the shelter.
While the event typically sees participants of all genders wearing high heels as a symbolic gesture, this year, those involved were encouraged to dress up in other ways, including wearing capes. There were concerns over sharing shoes during the pandemic.
"It's so beautiful to have a combination of awareness, of the education, the advocacy and of course the necessary funds in order for us to continue to provide the necessary services and supports that we do," Taylor says.
One of the participants was Sarah Cunningham from the Rama First Nation. She made a shawl to bring awareness to the women murdered by violence last year.
"The white ones represent the women, and the red ones represent the indigenous women that were murdered last year," says Cunningham. "It's 1 in 5 Indigenous women that were murdered out of the 160 women."
This year's goal was $50,000, which will go towards helping the 27-bed shelter achieve its mission of helping those most in need.
"We are helping women through court and legal support, through transitional housing," says Taylor. "We are councillors for life, whether it's individual or group counselling. We have our survivor program, and a big group of those women are here today supporting us."
Due to the pandemic, the event switched venues to the Mapleview Community Church and was limited to 100 people.
If you would like to find out how you can help the organization, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.