This April during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month & National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Lauren’s Kids, a leading organization in this fight, is raising awareness, educating communities, and supporting survivors through a statewide walk across Florida.
This April, you can join this powerful movement during their 1,500-mile trek across the state, from Key West to Panama City as they make a collective step towards change.
Every stride, no matter how big or small, helps in the fight against child sexual abuse and in assists in supporting survivors on their journey to healing.
The Lauren’s Kids Foundation
This story begins with founder, Lauren Book, who is unfortunately one of the 42 million children in the U.S. who has become a victim of childhood sexual abuse. After years of abuse, Lauren felt lonely and alone, unheard and violated, and found survivors like her were being shamed, ostracized, and unheard.
In 2007, Lauren turned her heartbreak into hope, establishing the Lauren’s Kids Organization.
Through Lauren’s education platform, Lauren’s Kids empowers children with knowledge about personal safety, consent, the importance of finding their voice and teaches children of all ages that it’s O.K to tell, and it’s O.K to heal. Participating in events like Walk in My Shoes, honors Lauren’s journey to healing and advocacy and supports other survivors who come out to walk alongside her. This event also serves as a powerful call to action to help break the cycle of silence and protect future generations from harm.
The Significance of Why We Walk
Did you know that 75% of child victims of sexual abuse do not disclose the abuse within a year of it occurring, 45% of child victims keep their abuse a secret for at least five years, many stay silent for decades, and some never tell? This is one reason why Lauren’s Kids statewide walks were created and why they go beyond simply raising awareness.
They provide a platform for education, allowing participants to learn about the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, prevention strategies, and available resources. This knowledge empowers individuals to take action and protect the children in their lives.
As participants lace up their shoes and hit the pavement, they are not just taking steps; they are taking a stand against the horrific occurrence of child sexual abuse.
Each mile traveled serves as a reminder that not all hope is lost, a testament to the collective determination to break the cycle of silence and stigma.
Join the Movement: Walk in My Shoes 2024
Walk in My Shoes is a powerful display of support for survivors of child sexual abuse. By walking alongside survivors and their families, you can demonstrate your empathy and commitment to creating a world where such abuse is never tolerated.
Here’s everything you need to know about the walk:
Who Can Participate in the Walk?
At “Walk in My Shoes,” you’ll find parents, children, families, survivors, counselors, social workers, law enforcement, students, political leaders, and educators — all united by a single purpose: child safety.
This driven and devoted group creates a powerful and supportive environment, making the walk a statement of advocacy and a celebration of community spirit.
What Your Journey Will Look Like
A team of experts and dedicated volunteers has planned the Walk in My Shoes experience to be meaningful and safe. Here’s what you can expect:
Safety First
Your well-being is our priority. The walk is a permitted event with a designated route, ensuring everyone’s comfort. Law enforcement escorts ensure a smooth and safe procession through the streets.
Walk Alongside Us
Lauren Book, founder of Lauren’s Kids, walks every step of the way alongside participants, leading by example. Staff members are readily available throughout the walk to provide support and assistance. You can even walk alongside us via the internet livestream of the event which will be broadcast on LaurensKidsWalk.org throughout the duration of the event!
An Empowered Start
Each walk segment begins with an inspiring message from Lauren Book, followed by a comprehensive safety briefing. This ensures everyone is informed and prepared for the journey ahead.
Give Back to the Community
When 95% of child sexual abuse is preventable with education and awareness, there’s no question Why We Walk. This fundamental truth drives our commitment to raising awareness, educating communities, and empowering survivors.
Every step we take is a stride towards a safer, more informed future for children everywhere.
Want to contribute beyond walking? You can purchase a Pay It Forward ticket for someone else to use that may not be able to join us otherwise!
Here are other avenues how you can help us make this walk a success:
Direct Donations
Direct donations are one of the simplest and most impactful ways to support Lauren’s Kids. Your financial contributions go directly towards funding educational programs, survivor support services, advocacy efforts, and more.
Every dollar donated helps make a difference in the lives of children and survivors and is also tax deductible due to Lauren’s Kids 501C-3 non-profit status.
Fundraising Events
Get creative and organize your fundraising events to benefit Lauren’s Kids. Whether it’s a charity auction, bake sale, or community fundraiser, organizing an event can be a fun and rewarding way to raise funds while spreading awareness about child abuse prevention.
You can also consider involving friends, family, or local businesses to drive the impact of your cause home.
Schedule and Dates
| Date | Location | Time | Starting Location |
| April 3, 2024 | Key West | 7:15 AM | Southernmost Point, 1300 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040 |
| April 4, 2024 | South Dade | 11:45 AM | 14850 SW 280th St, Homestead, FL 33032 |
| April 5, 2024 | South Dade + Miami | 11:30 AM | 22800 SW 112th Avenue, Miami, FL 33170 |
| April 6, 2024 | Miami (Morning Walk) | 7:30 AM | 777 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL 33131 |
| April 6, 2024 | Miami (Afternoon Walk) | 11:00 AM | 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 |
| April 7, 2024 | Broward (Morning Walk) | 8:00 AM | 100 W Dania Beach Blvd, Dania Beach, FL 33004 |
| April 7, 2024 | Broward (Afternoon Walk) | 1:00 PM | 820 NE 14th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 |
| April 9, 2024 | Boca + Palm Beach | 8:15 AM | 5840 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431 |
| April 10, 2024 | Naples + Fort Myers | 8:15 AM | 3050 Horseshoe Drive N, Naples, FL 34104 |
| April 11, 2024 | Sarasota + Bradenton | 8:00 AM | 2139 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237 |
| April 12, 2024 | Melbourne + Cocoa Beach | 12:00 PM | 1220 N Highway A1A, Indialantic, FL 32903 |
| April 13, 2024 | Orlando (Short Walk) | 9:15 AM | 433 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 |
| April 13, 2024 | Orlando (Long Walk) | 7:00 AM | 2111 E. Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806 |
| April 14, 2024 | Pasco County | 1:00 PM | 15000 Citrus County Drive, Dade City, FL 33523 |
| April 15, 2024 | Ocala | 12:30 PM | 2575 SW 42nd St, Ocala, FL 34471 |
| April 16, 2024 | St. Augustine | 8:00 AM | 74 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 |
| April 18, 2024 | Jacksonville | 9:00 AM | 5644 Colcord Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32211 |
| April 19, 2024 | Gainesville | 12:00 PM | 500 E. University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607 |
| April 20, 2024 | Tampa (Morning Walk) | 8:30 AM | 459 Brandon Town Center Dr, Brandon, FL 33511 |
| April 20, 2024 | Tampa (Afternoon Walk) | 1:30 PM | 2814 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33604 |
Click here to Sign up today or see our FAQs for more information on our initiative.
