Up & Coming Weekly

March 22, 2022

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1462311

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 12 of 24

12 UCW MARCH 23 -29, 2022 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM e Rape Crisis of Cumberland County at the Phoenix Center has set a date for their 10th annual Walk Awhile in eir Shoes event, Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m., in front of the Encore Acade- my Building on Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville. "e event originally started as a fun- draiser, but it has really grown into an awareness event as well as a fundraiser about sexual assault in our commu- nity," said Deanne Gerdes, executive director of Rape Crisis of Cumberland County, at the Phoenix Center. "We will stroll down to Segra Stadium, and that is where we will be having our after party." e Rape Crisis of Cumberland County at the Phoenix Center supports sexual and domestic violence victims in multiple ways. "Last year, we had 412 victims of sexual violence and 398 victims of do- mestic violence in Cumberland County, and we provide services from a crisis hotline, responding to the emergency room, responding to law enforcement and going to court," said Gerdes. "Last year, domestic violence cases were different, but the numbers were not necessarily up because of COVID-19." Gerdes added that last year schools were closed, many worked from home or were unemployed and much domes- tic violence was contained to the home. Many victims did not feel comfortable reaching out or leaving their homes for help for many reasons. ese conditions have impacted federal funding for the center. "We had closed shelters whether it was due to staffing, COVID-19 outbreak or just closed, and we all took a big hit in federal funding," said Gerdes. "e services that used to be prior to CO- VID-19 were not there, and coming out of COVID-19, we are still feeling those effects." She added, "For domestic violence, we are focusing on really trying to get victims to a safe place which is more than likely outside of Cumberland County." Walk Awhile in eir Shoes event will see men walk four blocks down Hay Street wearing high heels; the walk will end at Segra Stadium. e traditional red heels have been challenging to source this year, so event planners welcome the support regard- less of footwear. "Originally, it was red high heels, but we just can't find enough red high heels to be honest with you," said Gerdes. "Some men don't wear red high heels for the walk, so they wear red shoes, black flats or their tennis shoes, and we are okay with that. We have some sea- soned, older gentlemen that may have hip or knee problems but want to come out and support, and they do, and we are so grateful for that." Plans for the Phoenix Center in- volve working to return to where they were before COVID-19, building back up their volunteer advocates, a pilot program to support the need for sexual assault nurse examiners, advocating for a bill in Raleigh and using funds to rehab their building. "One of the most amazing things about this walk is that we have victims, their family members and husbands that come to this walk, and they walk the walk," said Gerdes. "It is so incred- ible to see these victims in awe of see- ing these people supporting them, not knowing who they are." Registration begins at 6 p.m. on the day of the event, and the cost is $25, $15 with a student ID; for more informa- tion, call 910-485-7273. DR. SHANESSA FENNER, Principal, WT Brown Elementary School. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Walk Awhile In Their Shoes In Downtown Fayetteville by DR. SHANESSA FENNER EVENT Participants show off their heals during the 2020's Walk Awhile In Their Shoes event. (Photo courtesy of the Rape Crisis of Cumberland County at the Phoenix Center.) artists IN SCHOOLS BECOME A TEACHING ARTIST! Inspiring the next generation through Arts Education Teaching Artists provide access to workshops, assemblies, residencies, and virtual engagements for elementary, middle, and high school students in Cumberland County. VISIT WWW.THEARTSCOUNCIL.COM/NODE/56 Registration Deadline April 15th SARAH BUSMAN, ARTS EDUCATION MANAGER SARAHB@THEARTSCOUNCIL.COM 910-323-1776 X.1011 Join our 2022-2023 Artists In Schools Directory

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Up & Coming Weekly - March 22, 2022