A SusanvilleStuff Photofeature
by Marshel Couso and Jeremy Couso
Despite gray skies and threatening weather Lassen Family Service’s annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes event, held Saturday at the Lassen County Fairgrounds, was a big success with hundreds of participants joining together for the fundraiser.
April is both Child Abuse Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Walk A Mile gathering is meant to start a conversation in the community about both issues.
“The purpose of Walk A Mile is to inform the community of the prevalence of sexual assault and child abuse and provide information on the support services offered in Lassen County,” explains LFS spokesperson Kendra Zaengle. “We walk to show our support and raise awareness.”
Lassen Family Services hosts this event annually during the month of April and at the end of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
“The motto of this year’s NCVRW and our goal is to Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.”
Money raised by the walk goes directly to LFS’s Child Trauma Therapy program that provides therapy to children ages 3-18 who have gone through or witnessed traumatic events.
Speakers included Elizabeth Darley, Susanville Mayor Mendy Schuster, Tiffany Sherman, Angela Reed and Heather Roney.
Jessica Solomon, a 6th grade teacher from Diamond View School in Susanville, was awarded the annual Empathy in Education award.
Carla Price was named Lassen Family Services’ Volunteer of the Year.
