PCT Hike for Sexual Assault Survivors

Hi everyone, my name is Alyssa Kroeker and I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to raise awareness and funds for sexual assault survivors. The PCT is a 4,270km continuous foot path from the Mexican/Californian border through Oregon and Washington up to Manning Park in Canada. This will take me a projected 6 months. I will be able to keep people posted on my journey through my website  and instagram.

***The funds raised with this GoFundMe will be split between these two charities.

I have contacted two charities (WAVAW & SOWINS) that are close to my heart, one of which helped me through my own sexual assault and one of them is located in my rural home town. 

 

Here is a little bit about WAVAW:

 

WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre is a non-profit organization that specializes in supporting survivors of sexual assault and shifting societal attitudes surrounding gender-based violence (GBV). We serve individuals with shared experiences of gendered oppression, including all trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit survivors.

 

WAVAW’s mandate is to provide free-of-charge, wrap-around support services including victim services, hospital, court, and police accompaniments, immediate emotional support on our 24-hour, nationwide Crisis Line and individual and group counselling to survivors of sexualized violence. In addition to the provision of direct services that develop resilience and coping skills following the trauma of sexualized violence, we advocate for social and systemic change through education, outreach, and activism. Our vision is a world where people of all genders are valued and live free from sexualized violence.

 

Donation Break Down for WAVAW:

 

$15 – Connects a survivor with one hour of text/chat support with a Victim Service worker on WAVAW Connect

 

$35 – One hour of support on WAVAW’s toll-free, nation-wide Crisis and Information Line which gets more than 2,000 calls a year.

 

$60 – Provides a survivor of sexual assault with 1 hour of one-to-one counselling

 

$100 – Covers taxi fare for x5 survivors to and from the hospital after an assault $150 – Connects a survivor to support, advocacy and transportation while seeking medical attention at VGH

 

 

Here is a little bit about SOWINS:

 

The South Okanagan Women in Need Society (SOWINS) has been serving local women, youth, and children for more than 40 years.

As a registered charity our programs and services provide shelter, safety, and support by helping individuals recognize, understand, and overcome the impacts of abuse. Our services are provided to individuals who have experienced, or who are at risk of experiencing violence or abuse in the South Okanagan (from Summerland to Osoyoos and from Naramata to Keremeos and Princeton).

Our specialized programs include:

*Emergency Housing and 24-hour crisis line

*Counselling services for Youth and Children to help break the cycle of violence

*Outreach support including counselling and follow up with clients

*The Explore program to help provide the tools women need to overcome the barriers to abuse and prepare for employment

*Community Based Victim Services Program to support women that are having to face their abuser in court. The team will be there every step of the way!

*Sexual Assault Response Team to work with survivors of sexual assault including stranger attacks, date rape or and incident from the past

*Mobile Outreach to support the marginalized population by providing warm clothing, snacks and water and harm reduction supplies

SOWINS has seen a 20% increase in referrals since the beginning of the pandemic, supplied more than 7,500 bed stays in 2021 in the Transition House yet, sadly still had to turn away many due to space…

The need continues to outpace the resources deployed. Your support will help us continue to serve as many women, youth, and children in need in our community as we can!

***no raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to my GoFundMe