Hope Crisis Center is inviting the community to step up and step out in support of survivors during its 22nd annual Put Your Foot Down Against Sexual Assault Run/Walk.
Conducted as a virtual 10K, the event allows participants to run or walk anywhere, anytime on or before Saturday, April 25. Anyone, regardless of location, can participate, and registration is $35 per person.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the event serves as both a fundraiser and a way to spread awareness. All proceeds from the run/walk go directly to Hope Crisis Center’s victim services, helping local domestic and sexual violence survivors with needs such as shelter, groceries, gas and other essentials.
“It’s just a fun way to kind of kick off the spring with getting people outdoors, putting their foot down against sexual assault and showing their support to victims,” said Seward HCC victim advocate Cait Park.
Hope Crisis Center Executive Director Carmen Hinman said the organization’s services are vital, highlighting that the number of domestic violence-related murders has increased in Nebraska over the past year.
“Our service is critical to those in need,” Hinman said. “The need is critical in our communities, and we want the public and the community to know that we are available.”
Funding challenges have created strain on HCC in recent years. Victims of Crime Act dollars have consistently decreased, and the federal government recently revoked the center’s rural domestic violence grant. Losses like these have led to a deficit of about $330,000 in grant funding each year, which is a significant portion of the organization’s $800,000-plus annual budget.
Hope Crisis Center has nine employees, five office locations and serves seven rural counties.
“The current budget restraints across our state and the inflation of all the things, like food, makes a difference on our budget, too,” Hinman said. “We’re losing grant funds, which fund all those expenses that we normally have in order to provide services that are steady and uninterrupted, and for various reasons, our costs are also going up.”
The organization has worked to secure other funding sources, including via appropriations in the legislature. Assistance from the Medicaid Access Fund and grants from sources such as the Sherwood Foundation have helped fill funding gaps.
Sponsors also help make the annual run/walk possible.
The event shifted from in-person to virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic, a change Hinman said has allowed for broader participation. Friends and family members outside the service area – or even outside the state – can now take part.
About 120 people typically participate, though that number can vary. Last year saw 82 participants, the lowest number on record.
The event operates on an honor system, and participants are encouraged to share their time or miles along with a selfie using the hashtag #hccvirtualrun on social media. Hope Crisis Center will re-share much of the content to help spread awareness.
“Not only is it helping us raise money for a great cause, of course, but it’s also creating that awareness of, ‘Hey, we’re here. Please reach out to us should you need services,’” Hinman said.
Bilingual victim advocate Mirabel Jimenez said the flexibility of the virtual format makes participation easier.
“Usually, I go with my dog along the Plum Creek path, and it’s just a fun way to show support, get outside and it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort,” she said. “It’s just something really easy to do.”
Jimenez added that the community’s continued support keeps the organization motivated.
“Thankfully, people in our community know the work we do and continue to support us, so doing these types of fundraisers is a reminder to us that our community is here for us, just as much as we’re here for the people in our community that need our help,” she said. “We are so grateful and feel very supported by our community and our friends that continue to show up for us.”
