Community That Walks Together Every Step Says: You Are Not Alone

Walk A Mile in Their Shoes is more than a symbolic walk—it transforms compassion into action. Each year, our community comes together to raise awareness and critical funding for GBMC’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination and Domestic Violence (SAFE & DV) and Child Protection Program. This support ensures survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse receive confidential, compassionate, trauma-informed care at no cost.  

For committee co-chair Alexis “Lucky” Thompson, the mission is deeply personal. “It brings our community together around a cause that demands both compassion and action,” she shares. As a mother, she adds, “Every child, every person, deserves to feel safe, supported, and believed.” Walk A Mile ensures survivors have access to critical medical care, forensic services, and advocacy when they need it most.  

Walk A Mile co-chair Dr. Fred Chan sees the impact through a clinical lens. “As a physician, I see how important patient-centered care is to healing,” he explains. He emphasizes that SAFE is about far more than evidence collection — it provides trauma-informed care that supports both physical and emotional recovery and connects survivors to vital resources.  

Committee member Kate Flowers has helped galvanize both the Walk A Mile committee and the broader community in support of this mission. “This program is an essential community resource—available 24/7 and completely free of charge,” she says. “Supporting Walk A Mile is one way we can give back and ensure this care is always there for those who need it.”  

Yuliya Klopouh, Vice President of Pharmacy Services at GBMC and committee member, notes that the event raises awareness for an issue that often remains unseen and allows community members to bring visibility, compassion, and resources to survivors and families in need.  

Committee member and donor Larry Holmes underscores that funds raised help keep services confidential, compassionate, and free of charge. He encourages supporters to explore corporate matching gift opportunities to double their impact.  

When our community walks together, we send a powerful message: survivors are believed, supported, and never alone. 

Photo : 11th Annual Walk a Mile in Their Shoes Committee: (from left) Carmen Zuniga, Vittoria Acevedo, Michele Siri, Kate Flowers, Felice Goldbloom, Lucky Thompson (co-chair), J. Christopher Greenawalt, MD, Kim Davenport, Yuliya Klopouh, PharmD, Jenny Coldiron, Kate Thorne, Greg Shaffer, Lindsay McGettigan, Morgan Varley, Kelly Truax.

Walk a Mile Committee Members not pictured: Fred Chan, MD (co-chair), GBMC Facility Dog Olivia (honorary chair), Alex Benitez, Kathy Blue, Laura Clary, MSN, RN, FNE-A/P, SANE-A, SANE-P, Pam Gillin, MSN, RN, FNE-A/P, SANE-P, BG Groff, Larry Holmes, Scott Kilpatrick, Nikki Janian, Katie O’Malley, Stacey Murray, Tanvi Shah, MD, Ferrier Stillman, Esq., and Eddie Villamater.