We made it!
More importantly, we raised money for women’s shelters in Manitoba and raised awareness about domestic abuse. We took it to the schools, the municipal meetings, the politicians and the streets.
We showed up at the Gospel Mennonite Church at 2pm to gather before marching to Memorial Park. The best part of the walk for me is meeting new people who are engaged in their community so I was happy to see many new faces join us for the final push to Memorial Park. 
After some hellos and some pre-walk prep, we took to the streets. Mitch lead us which seemed appropriate. Beyond the fact that he walked a good deal of the way from Winkler to Winnipeg, leadership from the young people- Like Mitch, Bryan and Leanna, all of whom walked with me- is what’s going to make domestic abuse go away.
We walked the streets, supported by honking cars and thumbs up. Corydon, then Osborne and over the bridge. We walked with family, friends, strangers, politicians, media and anyone who was affected by domestic abuse or who cared to do away with it.
One of the great things about going for a long walk is the time that it allows for discussion. Your destination doesn’t arrive right away so you have time to breath and think and engage in conversation. The walk to Memorial Park was another chance for me to discuss the issue, this time with MLA for Kirkfield Park Sharon Blady.
As a survivor of domestic violence and an MLA she has important insight on the issue. Moreover, she is doing what politicians should do- she’s taking action. She’s enacting legislation that makes it easier for women in need to get to a shelter or find alternative housing. Well done, Sharon! Sharon Blady is up for re-election in October and everyone in Kirkfield Park should vote for her. Tell your friends.When we arrived at Memorial Park we were greeted by Anna Pazdzierski, executive director of Nova house, a shelter that serves women and children in the Interlake Region.She graciously hosted the event at the park that included food, speakers and music.
Also there to greet us were members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), specifically members of the CUPE Respect Campaign, friends family and supporters.
And then there was Troy Westwood, former kicker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, talented musician and all-around good dude. Troy’s been a champion of women’s rights and has actively worked to end domestic violence for some time now.
He is really important to this issue in Manitoba because here’s a tough, football-playing guy who’s stepping up and saying that men have to be men and figure out what it takes to express their feelings in ways other than abuse. Troy wants to have mandatory training for Grade 9 students on this issue which I think is a great idea. Until men decide that we are done hurting our women and children, nothing will change.
Troy and friends played some songs, Sharon Blady told her story of abuse and what it took to emerge from that situation and get where she is today and Ang Braun told the story from the shelters point of view. They’re all inspiring Manitobans.
It was an amazing journey again this year. I had a wonderful time meeting new people, opening up discussions in schools and challenging people to speak out. Once again, I am left with a deep feeling of awe at the work that so many people do on a daily basis to protect women an children in Manitoba. I breeze in for a few days and try to get people talking about the issue, but these women who work at the shelters are at it every day. And it’s not the kind of job that one simply leaves at home when the shift is over. The emotional investment is huge. And even though what they see is often the ugliest part of the human experience, every shelter worker I’ve asked has told me that she has hope. They deserve our respect and support all year round.
I have to thank Keith Wilcox for once again paying his way to Manitoba from Las Vegas to make sure I don’t die of thirst in Southern Manitoba. I know that he also feels invested in the community. Thanks to Ang Braun and the staff of Genesis House for doing the leg work involved to make sure everything went smoothly. Ang and her team are smart, enthusiastic and have hearts beyond measure. The same is true of Anna Pazdzierski and her staff at Nova house who organized the event at Memorial Park. A huge thank you to them. And thank you to everyone who walked, donated, listened or was inspired to have the conversation about domestic abuse in your community.

On a personal note, I want to say that I come from a family- my mother and my aunts, uncles and cousins- that doesn’t hesitate to step in and help when one of their own engages in community service. Just like they did last year, my family was constantly asking what they could do. They cooked, they put Keith and me up, they donated their time and money, they pulled our rental car out of the mud, etc. My family shows up. I’m lucky to have them.

Walk For The Shelters has very little to do with walking or with me. It’s about the community. One of the lessons that was nurtured in Southern Manitoba a long time ago and then passed down to me by my ancestors was that it is the community’s obligation to help those in need. Well, just like my Great-Grandma in the 1930′s, there is a woman in a home in your community right now who is afraid of what will happen to her and her children later today. Her children feel that same fear. That’s unacceptable to me. So, I’m going to walk again next year. Who’s with me?













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