Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Lacing Up for Women’s Homeless Shelters in Kokomo
“Walk a Mile in My Shoes” is not just a catchy slogan; it’s an invitation to the community to step into the shoes of homeless women, to understand their struggles and to contribute to a solution.
On Saturday, Feb. 24, you can help make an impact by lacing up and joining the Kokomo Rescue Mission in its 23rd year of stepping up to raise donations for Open Arms and Watered Garden, facilities that serve women and women with children experiencing homelessness.
One of the main goals of the event is to not only show off the facilities that the Kokomo Rescue Mission provides but to also raise awareness, according to Anna Brown, director of women’s ministry.
“You never know what could happen until it happens to you,” said Brown.
Annually, A Statue of a Pink Shoe Makes an Appearance Signifying the Arrival of the Walk A Mile Fundraiser
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt
The one-mile walk to Open Arms and Watered Garden will begin at The Kokomo Rescue Mission at 321 W. Mulberry St. After an opening ceremony beginning at 8 a.m., walkers will be greeted by music from the Taylor High School Band, addressed by Mayor Tyler Moore, then instructions will be given before a send-off from Taylor High School drum corps to lead the group down the route to the women’s shelters.
Kevin Smith, who has been the executive director at The Kokomo Rescue Mission for almost two years, says the hope is that the addition of the band and drum corps kick off the event on a fun note.
“What we’re trying to do is create an atmosphere of celebration, because it truthfully is,” said Smith.
Brown, who has been part of The Kokomo Rescue Mission since 2012, commented on how the walk has changed throughout the years.
“I’ve seen the numbers come and go, I have seen nice weather and cold weather, but the thing is the heart of the walk is still true till this day and the community continues to rally around that. The heart of Kokomo and the heart of the community is truly inspirational,” she said.
According to an annual report from The Kokomo Rescue Mission, both women’s shelters provided a total of 18,000 nights of shelter, at a cost of roughly $52 a night. The residents receive food as well as personal items, hygiene products, clothing and case management.
“There are so many people that I’ve met that have master’s degrees and have come through the doors needing help,” said Brown. “Everyone is one step away from a circumstance that they didn’t know they were going to face.”
“They are real, they have real stories, real backgrounds, and they aren’t all one type,” said Smith. “They are individuals, just like we are. We would love for every member of the community to see the shelters that God has provided for us and more than that the women that stay there and the workers that work with them.”
“We are proud of what God’s been able to do, it’s a show-off day for us to show off what God’s put here, we also look forward to what he’s going to provide to meet the needs as we move forward,” said Smith.
A free breakfast will be provided at Grace United Methodist Church at 219 W. Mulberry St., #101, Kokomo, before and after the walk from 8 to 11 a.m. There will be biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, yogurt parfaits and more including coffee and orange juice for volunteers and participants of the fundraiser.
You can register for the walk from now until the morning of the event on Feb. 24. Participants may register as an individual or a team, and there’s no cost to sign up. Click here to register, donate or simply learn more about The Kokomo Rescue Mission and this year’s Walk-a-Mile in My Shoes fundraiser.