What a Walk!

On April 26, 2025, we proudly hosted our 14th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Despite the rainy weather, around 800 people came together at St. Clair Park in Greensburg to #WalkBlackburnCenter. The skies may have been gray, but the spirit of the day was bright – thanks to an inspiring turnout of supporters who helped make the morning one of learning, unity, and community connection.

On the stage, we hosted a variety of activities that were created in collaboration with Seton Hill University’s Art Therapy Department, Westmoreland County Community College’s Art and Social Work Clubs, Greensburg Salem High School’s Art Department, and Blackburn Center’s Education/Outreach team. This included our community’s Stone Soup, an art project meant to symbolize collaboration and unity, which was designed to highlight our theme: Together We Walk, United We Change. Our FAME group also offered information about taking the pledge to end gender-based violence – and a chance to spin the prize wheel.

Throughout the park, walkers could enjoy coffee and donuts at our breakfast tent, generously provided by Starbucks, Walmart, and Oakmont Bakery. They could also have their team picture taken thanks to SkySight Photography— and enjoy music provided by Savvy Sounds. You can check out all of the Walk pictures on our Facebook page!

We gathered just before 10 a.m., with anticipation building, as the speakers prepared to take the stage: Dr. Tim Holler, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and founding member of FAME; Dr. Terry DePasquale, Retired Associate Provost and Professor Emeritus of Education at Seton Hill University and Vice President and Secretary of Blackburn Center’s Board of Directors; Al Thiel, Director of the Student Center and Student Involvement at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and founding member of FAME; and Bill Stankay, musician, composer and sound designer, and a member of Blackburn Center’s Board of Directors. They talked about Blackburn Center’s mission, why we walk, led the crowd in holding a moment of silence for survivors and victims, and shared how each of us can play a role to take action in ending gender-based violence in our community.

 And with that, the Walk began! Our Walk was kicked off by a team from our underwriting sponsor, Tuscano Agency. Walkers carried signs and showed off their shoes as they marched down Maple Avenue, and with each step demonstrated their unity and commitment to ending gender-based violence. Gatekeepers Security and Bikers Against Child Abuse helped with traffic and keeping our walkers safe. People from all walks of life — families, friends, children, dogs, sports teams, colleagues, businesses, and community members – came together to show their support for this incredibly important cause. 

This year, we welcomed many groups who came out in show of support for the Walk. Our top teams for 2025 were:

Most Participants:

1.     University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg: 122 walkers

2.     Adelphoi: 74 walkers

3.     Tuscano Agency: 30 walkers

4.     Westmoreland Case Management and Supports, Inc. – WCSI: 28 walkers

5.     Democratic WOW – Women of Westmoreland County: 24 walkers

Most Money Raised: 

1.     Independence Health OB/GYN

2.     University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

3.     Democratic WOW – Women of Westmoreland County

4.     Adelphoi

5.     Tuscano Agency

Whether you walked, joined a team, donated, or volunteered, your show of support for our mission made a meaningful difference. We’re especially thankful to the dozens of volunteers —working behind the scenes and on the ground — whose efforts were essential to the day’s success.

Of course, the opportunity to raise awareness about gender-based violence throughout the community doesn’t have to end with the Walk. You can donate to or volunteer for Blackburn Center at any time. You can also schedule an educational or training program for your workplace, school, or community organization. Finally, you can take what you learned at the Walk and put it into practice in your daily life — finding little ways to support survivors and victims of gender-based violence and make a real change in our community! We hope you’ll join us next year as we continue walking together toward a future free from gender-based violence.