Lauren's Kids http://laurenskids.org To prevent sexual abuse through awareness, education, and to help survivors heal with guidance and support Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:36:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 2012 Walk: Day 36 http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-36/ http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-36/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:00:51 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1394 read more]]> Walking in my hometown of Panama City brings a flood of good and bad memories.  A survivor of sexual abuse myself, my childhood memories aren’t all good.  But that’s what made the walk so significant yesterday.

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

]]> http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-36/feed/ 0 2012 Walk: Days 30, 31 and 32 http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-days-30-31-and-32/ http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-days-30-31-and-32/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:36:38 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1384 read more]]> Hello friends!

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 1,500th 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.

]]> http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-days-30-31-and-32/feed/ 1 2012 Walk: Days 27 and 28 http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-days-27-and-28/ http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-days-27-and-28/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:45:27 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1350 read more]]> Hello friends!

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

 

 

]]> http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-days-27-and-28/feed/ 0 2012 Walk: Day 24 & 25 http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-24-25/ http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-24-25/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:42:48 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1333 read more]]> Yesterday we were walking in the Tampa area and had the privilege to be joined by the women and girls of Alpha House. Alpha House is a home for young, pregnant survivors of sexual assault or abuse, and other pregnant women who are experiencing crisis. Many of their residents are teens as young as 13, 14 and 15.
Before beginning the walk, I had the opportunity to officially adopt one of Alpha House’s special rooms for new mothers and their babies as a part of the “A Room of Her Own” project. Lauren’s Kids will be paired with a local Tampa designer to decorate the room – so excited to get started, and proud to be involved.

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.

]]> http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-24-25/feed/ 1 2012 Walk: Day 22 and 23 http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/2012-walk-day-22-and-23/ http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/2012-walk-day-22-and-23/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:05:37 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1324 read more]]> This weekend marked the fourth Saturday of the “Walk In My Shoes” walk and Lauren is now three full weeks into her 1,500 mile journey.  I got another chance to walk (in Orlando) this weekend and Lauren and I walked through Disney’s Wide World of Sports and ESPN and Disney’s Cross Country Course.  We met many people there from around the United States.  We encountered one gentleman from Denver who was there at ESPN for the National Cheerleading Competition and he happens to be a Mid-West developer who on the spot made a substantial donation toward our efforts.  It turns out that he and one of his brothers were molested by a coach from their youth league basketball team.  We find more and more stories like this as we engage with the public.  It was a very emotional exchange with this gentleman and he is eager to help in any way as he has not had such an opportunity before now.  Lauren pounded the pavement together with her brother and sister this weekend.  We also had many children participating which was also significant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

]]> http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/2012-walk-day-22-and-23/feed/ 0 2012 Walk: Day 18 http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-18/ http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-18/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:09:22 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1308 read more]]> It’s really hard to explain where Monday ended and Tuesday began.  We left the walk team after our events Monday in Boca Raton to fly to New York City.  The National Child Labor Committee was honoring Lauren with a Lewis Hines Award for her continued commitment to protect children from sexual abuse.  It was an amazing opportunity to share in this moment, to see her honored with a who’s who of humanitarians.

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

]]> http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-18/feed/ 0 2012 Walk: Day 17 http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-17/ http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-17/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:29:37 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1299 read more]]> Though I only walked for a few hours from Boca to Del Ray Beach yesterday, I sure did a lot of traveling! After walking for the morning, I jumped on a plane and flew to New York City to receive the Lewis Hine Award for Service to Children and Youth from the National Child Labor Committee. It was amazing to meet people from across the country who are working to make the United States a better, safer place for children, and it was a true honor to be recognized as one of their peers. I was especially excited to connect with Marsha Glines, Boca resident and Dean at Lynn University, and have the opportunity to talk with her about forming a partnership to educate children with special needs about how to stay safe. Such a surreal, EXCITING day, and I haven’t even finished telling you about it!

Yesterday was also the day I received my very own finished copy of the Safer, Smarter Kids sexual abuse prevention curriculum! The materials are being shipped out to every public school kindergarten teacher and elementary school guidance counselor in the state of Florida this week, and I am beside myself. Opening the box containing the curriculum was like nothing I have ever experienced before. I am so unbelievably excited and proud!!!! Wonderful fuel for today’s 25 mile trek up the Treasure Coast!

- Lauren

 

]]> http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-17/feed/ 0 Parent Perspective: Walk Day 14, 15 and 16 http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/parent-perspective-walk-day-14-15-and-16/ http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/parent-perspective-walk-day-14-15-and-16/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:31:59 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1288 read more]]> Well, this weekend’s pavement pounding for me has now come and gone, and while I increased my mileage by another 15 miles while walking between Sarasota and Manatee Counties, it wasn’t the miles that were impactful this weekend, it was the people we met.  We began our day on the satellite campus of the University of South Florida/Manatee/Sarasota with a meeting and visit with Representative Doug Holder.  Doug not only came to be supportive, but came to walk a few miles with us.  Doug got an opportunity not only to visit Lauren and I, but with the folks who operate the rape crisis center.


 

 

 

 

 

 

We have met a lot of people along the way, but most significant on Saturday was a woman and her 3-year old son who pulled their SUV up alongside of us as we were walking toward the Manatee Glens Sexual Assault Treatment Center in Manatee County.  She stopped right in the middle of the road to applaud us and to express to us how important it was from her perspective that we were doing what we were doing.  She began to relate a story to Lauren and me about a friend of hers.  Tears welled up in her eyes and then began to roll down her cheek.  What she did not realize was that we understood the story was more about her than a friend, she continued to go on as we listened.  Lauren and I urged that she and her young son consider joining us at Manatee Glens, and she said she would try.  What was most interesting about this woman was that she had seen us an hour earlier as she was driving to get breakfast and decided to come track us down to talk to us.  This woman is really a lot about what our walk is intended to do.  While we work to raise awareness to end childhood sexual abuse, it is also about empowering individuals to have the strength and the courage “to tell.”  It is about empowering individuals to know that they are not alone out there, and that there is a place and there are people for them to talk to and help them heal.  It was truly an amazing moment and just another example of why we do what we are doing.  By the way, as Lauren and I were addressing the crowd at Manatee Glens, the woman and her son in fact took us up on our invitation and showed up at the Center.  She was simply a person wanting and waiting to tell someone her story.

When we reached the sexual assault treatment center known as Manatee Glens, we were greeted by 100 plus individuals cheering us on as we addressed the crowd and talked about why we were there.  All in all, a great day.  Today, Lauren headed back to the East Coast of Florida and walked north from Boca Raton to Melbourne where she will begin a western leg toward Orlando and Tampa. Keep following us.

- Ron

]]> http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/parent-perspective-walk-day-14-15-and-16/feed/ 0 Parent’s Perspective: Day 13 http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/parents-perspective-day-13/ http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/parents-perspective-day-13/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:02:56 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1276 read more]]> We are now on Day 13 of the Walk and when I am not able to hit the pavement as I’ve already told you, I go back to my regular job in Tallahassee and I simply must watch the Livestream (www.laurenskids.org) or look at the daily photos (www.laurenskidsphotos.org) or call and get an up to date as to how Lauren, the Walk Team and that day’s walkers are doing.  It’s hard as a parent so deeply engaged in Lauren’s mission to not want to stop what I’m doing and join the Walk Team at that very moment.  As a parent, my understanding of “Walk In My Shoes” is different than what many may think.  While many think that a tragedy related to childhood sexual abuse ends at a point in time following a conviction and incarceration of the predator, in fact, it does not.  Trauma and the impacts of childhood sexual abuse lasts forever for the victim and survivor, and also on all members of the family.  If you desire to help protect others from suffering as we have, and more particularly as Lauren has, it is to me and us all about “Walk In My Shoes.”  I will join Lauren again tomorrow as we continue to walk our way through Florida raising awareness, educating individuals and making clear that it “will always be OK to tell”.  Come join us at any point during our Walk and please remember to be safe.

]]> http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/parents-perspective-day-13/feed/ 0 2012 Walk: Day 12 http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-12/ http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-12/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:38:06 +0000 Lauren http://laurenskids.org/?p=1267 read more]]> Hey guys!

Walk day 12 was absolutely amazing thanks to the women of Project Help, Collier County’s certified rape crisis center. These ladies walked the ENTIRE day with the team and me! As we walked, they shared the struggles they face operating Project Help on a small budget and many of the businesses operations expenses that they pay out of pocket just to keep things going.

During our time together, I was deeply touched, proud and encouraged by the dedication the Project Help staff has to the survivors they work with. Each April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Project Help survivors and staff go skydiving to remind each other that the sky is the limit. I’m excited to announce that this April, I will be joining them! Once you’ve jumped out of an airplane, what can you not do!? I really cannot put into words how much I appreciated spending the day with Project Help. Even though I have a cold, I continue to be encouraged by the people I meet out here on the road, and it is exciting to see what tomorrow will bring!

- Lauren

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