Lauren heads to the checkout after a day of shopping for Florida’s SATCs!

It was incredibly rewarding to see photos from centers showing them opening up our boxes of donations. We are so excited to be a part of what these centers are doing for survivors of sexual abuse!

The Putnam County SATC opening our donation boxes!

Though SAAM is over, Florida’s SATCs are still accepting donations. Even after the outpour of donations last month, these valuable centers still have needs.  Florida’s SATCs are drastically underfunded, and even though they did receive many donations throughout April, that will only help them for a short time. The reality is our centers struggle year round to provide necessary support and care for survivors of sexual abuse, and they can’t do it without your help. If you are able to donate, please contact your local center to find out what their current needs are.

Part of the mission of Lauren’s Kids is to help heal survivors and that’s what these centers do every day. SATCs are close to my heart because without them, I would not be where I am today as a survivor of, and advocate against, child sexual abuse. Broward County’s SATC was invaluable to my recovery because they understood my unique needs and the needs of survivors of sexual assault and violence.

At Lauren’s Kids, we’re committed to helping the centers that support victims of sexual abuse, and we need your help and support to continue to serve our community. Donate today!

Aside from my own story of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of my female nanny, the documentary featured the stories of Roberto Santiago and Susan Rubio Rivera. Roberto is a motivational speaker who came from a family of generational abuse and had to face his own demons when he discovered his three-year-old daughter was being abused.

Susan is the executive director of MUJER, a domestic violence and sexual assault treatment center in Homestead, Florida. Susan witnessed domestic violence throughout her childhood, and was the victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather.

The documentary, which also featured interviews with our family, friends and a registered mental health counselor specializing in child sexual abuse, was both informative and inspiring. 

In addition to the several abuse survivors, members of social service and civic agencies that made up Tuesday night’s full house, we were joined by special guest Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of Miami-Dade schools. Many thanks to Superintendent Carvalho for talking about our new Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum, which has been sent out to  public kindergarten classrooms statewide.

The broadcast premiere of Out of Darkness Into Light is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25^th at 9:00pm (repeats on 4/26 at 10:30pm and 4/30 at 7:30pm) on Channel 17 in the Miami area, and will be available to stream online as well. Keep checking here for more info…

Before I sign off for the week, I want to thank Publix, our very special Lauren’s Kids sponsor, for their continued support. We couldn’t do it without you, Publix!

I also want to give a special shout-out to Project Help, a crisis and sexual assault treatment center in Naples. This weekend, Project Help staff and survivors will be doing their annual “Jump to Stop Sexual Assault!” Skydive to send the message that the sky is the limit! I wish I could be there to jump with you, but I’m certainly there in spirit!!!

- Lauren

As a survivor and warrior for change, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) — this month — is very meaningful to me. April is a month of national recognition that sexual assault and abuse is a problem in our country, and that we won’t ignore it just because it may be difficult to talk about.

Many of you supported me on my 1,500-mile Walk in My Shoes across the state of Florida earlier this year. While on the Walk, I connected with Sexual Assault Treatment Centers across the state and discovered that many of Florida’s centers do not even have toilet paper, rape care kits or other items to help the many survivors that they counsel everyday.

This SAAM, I’m focusing on Florida’s sexual assault centers and trying to bring attention to their very basic, unmet needs. I urge you to work with Lauren’s Kids to help your local center through volunteering, donations and financial contributions. To help you connect with these centers and meet their unique needs, Lauren’s Kids has compiled a list of their requests, which can be found here.

As you’ll see, some needs are greater than others, but anyone and everyone can help with things as basic as water and toilet paper. I’m thrilled that we’re beginning to gain community support – the Young Republicans from one of Florida’s universities has already contacted us and made arrangements to paint their local center – but we still need your help! I know tax season is stressful and it’s a busy time of year for everyone, but these centers provide a vital service at one of the worst moments of a person’s life – when they have been victimized by sexual violence – and it is so very important that we give back.

- Lauren

On Tuesday night, as Lauren entered town to join the students from Tallahassee Community College, Florida A & M University and Florida State University, in a march to Burnett Park for a “Take Back the Night” event, I thought that was probably as good as it would get. Several hundred students came together from the three campuses for a candle lighting ceremony, and to talk about sexual assault. Poetry was read, songs were sung, and there was a speak-out by individuals as they related to their individual sexual assault experiences. I didn’t cry once, I didn’t cry twice, but I cried more times than I can remember. It was a very emotional program. It was very impactful.

The next morning, day 39, we hit the pavement at 8:00 am walking up Apalachee Parkway, heading straight to the heart of the Capitol. As you see the Capitol Building in front of you, you think about the things that are important to you, and you think about the things that you need to do to protect others. We were joined by so many of our State leaders, including the President of the Senate, Mike Haridoplos; Speaker of the House, Dean Cannon; the Attorney General, Pam Bondi; the Agricultural Commissioner, Adam Putnam; the CFO, Jeff Atwater; and the Speaker Designate of the Florida House, Will Weatherford, as well as so many legislators, child advocates, interested community leaders, and those that run our sexual assault treatment centers and child advocacy centers around the State. Also there, our bill sponsors, Representative Chris Dorworth and Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto.

As Lauren broke into a sprint, to finish the last quarter mile, it’s all you can do to choke back tears, knowing that, not only a physical journey has come to a close, but a deep and emotional one as well. As a parent of a thriving “survivor-warrior,” what a day…what a five-week period…what a remarkable 39-day journey! The lives of thousands have been impacted by Lauren’s unselfish and relentless commitment to prevent childhood sexual abuse. I am so proud!

Congratulations to my daughter, but most importantly, what a safer state we will have, because of her effort.

This is why we walk.

Several hundred walkers joined us for a windy, chilly stretch along Back Beach Road.  Some came from as far away as Tennessee, while other locals sacrificed part of the weekend for a 16-mile walk.  Along the way I pointed out to Lauren neighborhoods I lived in, places I got in trouble or did crazy things. I noticed a teenager walking with us, bubbly and enthusiastic about the walk.  She’s a survivor, approaching graduation and powering through high school.  As we walked she picked a few azaleas, handed them to another woman saying “to the prettiest woman on the walk.”  Lauren pointed out that was her counselor.  Oh the freedom from shame that young woman is experiencing!  I never had that courage as a teenager, and still grapple with my past.  But much like Lauren, she is facing her demons and encouraging others along the way.

This is why we walk.

- Cathy Schroeder, Executive Director of Lauren’s Kids

I know it’s been a couple of days since my last blog, but everything’s been so incredibly jam-packed that I haven’t had time (or energy!) to type.

For the past few days, the Walk team and I have been making our way through the Panhandle. We walked into Pensacola on Monday evening and were very touched to be welcomed by a small crowd that came out to show their support in spite of the cold.

Tuesday – Valentine’s Day! – was one of the highlights of Walk in My Shoes thanks to Stump, Badger, Arizona and Murph, our incredible escorts from Bikers Against Child Abuse. If you haven’t heard of BACA, you have got to check these guys out! These very brave individuals dedicate so much of their time to helping abused children – whether it means sitting in court with the child or being stationed outside his or her house at night, BACA will do whatever it takes to help these children feel safe and protected.

I may have gotten a motorcycle ride across the bridge that day (SO MUCH FUN! Check out the video I posed to the Lauren’s Kids Facebook page!), but it didn’t make a dent in the 20+ miles we walked. We had three survivors who joined us for the entirety of the Walk in the spirit of surviving and thriving – way to go, you three! Thank you for spending Valentine’s Day on the Walk in My Shoes!

Yesterday was another long walk day…25 miles through Fort Walton Beach! We had men and women from the local military base join us to walk (and run – those guys are seriously in shape!), and ended up at the Bridgeway Center’s Rape Crisis Center. It was such a long, cold, overcast day, but the strength and enthusiasm of the walkers and the Center warmed my heart. Thank you, thank you for walking to help spread our message and expand our movement.

Today is a rest day, and I couldn’t be more content with being inside, warm and dry hanging out with Walk dog, Lily. I can’t believe we’re officially less than one week away from the Rally in Tally, when friends, family, legislators and survivors will join me to walk the final mile of Walk in My Shoes 2012 to the steps of the Historic Capitol. If you’re in Tallahassee, I hope you’ll join me for the 1,500^th mile – we’ll begin walking from the Governor’s Square Mall at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22!

Lots of love,

Lauren

PS – Right now, my heart, thoughts and prayers are with warrior, survivor and beloved friend, Angele. I’d like to ask anyone who is reading this blog to please keep Angele in your prayers as well.

Since I’ve last checked in, we’ve walked through the St. Augustine and Jacksonville areas, and had the opportunity to connect with Secretary David Wilkins of the Florida Department of Children and Families. Sec. Wilkins, his wife Tanya and some of the DCF staff joined us Friday afternoon for the final leg of the walk. I felt so supported by the state of Florida, and really appreciated the time I was able to spend with Sec. Wilkins hearing about the issues he and the DCF face while working to protect Florida’s children. We’ve also invited Sec. Wilkins to the unveiling of the Lauren’s Kids’ “Room of Her Own” at Alpha House. SO appreciative of the DCF’s presence and support on Walk in My Shoes, and looking forward to working them in the future!

The following day, we had over 60 Jacksonville-area tax collectors come out and walk with us…and they brought their children! It was so much fun to get to know this group, and I even had the opportunity to do a mini-lesson from the Safer, Smarter Kids abuse prevention curriculum.

Despite the energy from our supporters, Saturday was a long, cold walk day. I was glad to finish at Everbank Field, and warm up with a family dinner at Mellow Mushroom…complete with cupcakes!

- Lauren

One young mother I walked with told me about being bounced from foster home to foster home after her father went to jail. When she became pregnant in the foster care system, she thought she was never going to make it this far. “But I have made it,” she said. “Now I know if I set my mind to it, I can do anything.” What a powerful moment.

Below is a picture of the amazing Alpha House walk crew. Strollers and all, these women and girls displayed such strength and determination as we walked from Alpha House to Mary Lee’s House child advocacy and protection center. Tuesday was one of my favorite Walk days so far, thank you to everyone involved.

Today, we walked from Ocala to Gainesville. We had about 75 walkers come to join us on this overcast, blustery day, which helped keep team morale high. We were almost pulled off road by our Police escorts several times due to fog and rain, but managed to push on through. I got to meet some amazing people at United Way of Marion County and speak with different survivors and hear about their healing journeys.

Despite the weather, the support we received in Ocala and the opportunity to tackle obstacles as a team reenergized our whole crew and got us very excited to walk through the University of Florida campus tomorrow.

More on that later!

Lauren

- – - – -

Update: Tuesday, February 8, 2012

On Monday, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Gainesville Police Department completed a week-long sting called Operation Tailfeather. The investigators used Craigslist and other websites to catch online predators looking to have sex with children. Twenty-one men were arrested for soliciting minors for sex.

This is why we walk.

After walking, Lauren and I participated in the National AAU Workshop to work with them on new protocols and procedures to protect children.  I am now over 100 miles and Lauren is certainly well over 650 miles as she walks in Tampa today.

- Ron Book

But the day didn’t end there.  We left the event later than expected, which meant we couldn’t fly back to South Florida to resume the walk.  We made it as far as Tallahassee, landed at midnight, rented a car to drive to Jupiter.

The sun wasn’t quite up when we arrived at 6:15 a.m. for a quick shower; bite to eat then on the bus to begin our walk.  Tuesday’s walk included 23.7 miles from Jupiter to Stuart.

With a yawn, I stepped off the bus to meet Edmund and Susan Benson who work with ARISE Life Skills, an organization committed to helping at-risk youth.  Edmund handed me a card that read:

You are so appreciated.

“There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread.” – Mother Teresa

Boy did I need that.

This is why we walk.

- Cathy Schroeder, Executive Director of Lauren’s Kids