Virtual EmpoweRun 5K raises funds for A Safe Place
The ninth annual EmpoweRun 5K may have been virtual this year, but that didn't stop more than 250 participants from lacing up their sneakers and partaking in a socially distant run/walk to support A Safe Place's mission to end domestic violence and human trafficking in Northern Lake County.
This year's virtual EmpoweRun 5K saw incredible community support, both in the form of participants and sponsors.
One of this year's sponsors, Consumers Credit Union, said, "At Consumers Credit Union, we believe in supporting the community and making a different by promoting healthy relationships and families. And we recognize that both are dependent upon mutual respect, safety, open and honest communication, compromise, equality, independence, and support.
"We are pleased to support A Safe Place and their vision and mission to create safe and healthy communities across the country by providing resources to help break the cycle of violence."
Participant and committee chair Victoria Robertson is also a firm believer in the importance of community empowerment.
"A Safe Place not only offers various forms of support for domestic violence victims, but they also take these offerings a step further in celebrating the successes of their clients and advocating for them, every step of the way," she said.
The EmpoweRun 5K brings together men, women, children, businesses, and partners to support the organization's lifesaving services to victims and their children, assistance in transforming lives after domestic violence and human trafficking, prevention of future abuse by addressing its root cause through abuser intervention programs, and education in the community about ending domestic violence.
For more than 40 years, A Safe Place has served victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and educated Lake County and beyond about the devastating effects of abuse.
This year, the 5K comes at a time when domestic violence and human trafficking cases have severely increased due to COVID-19. A Safe Place's emergency hotline saw a 600% increase in calls during the stay-at-home order.
As communities begin to reopen, the need for dedicated services for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking continues to rise.
Generous sponsors of the virtual 5K include Consumer's Credit Union; The Law Offices of David R. Del Re, P.C.; The Law Offices of Dwayne Douglas, P.C.; Schlesinger and Strauss; Ferrer Electric; the Julian Grace Foundation; Shyama S. Parikh, Attorney at Law; Noah's Rest; the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County; Jason R. Mercure; Overture; and the Gurnee Fraternal Order of Police Social Lodge 266.
Founded in 1978, A Safe Place provides emergency shelter; permanent housing; a 24-hour crisis line at (847) 249-4450; court and nonlegal advocacy; individual, group, and children's counseling; art therapy; family visitation services; batterer intervention services; community outreach; prevention education; and professional training.
Their service area includes Lake, McHenry and northern Cook counties in Illinois, but clients come from across the state, region, and country.
For more information about A Safe Place, visit www.asafeplaceforhelp.org, Facebook, and Twitter.