Third annual YWalk 4 Women & Girls aims to raise $15,000 in support of girls’ mental health

From YWCA Muskoka

YES… we are walking again in support of girls’ mental health in Muskoka! Be a part of the “YWALK4Women& Girls” AND be a champion for positive change.

On Friday, August 11, 2017, the third annual “YWalk4Women&Girls” will begin in Dwight. The route will thread together Lake of Bays, Huntsville, Muskoka Lakes, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Wahta and Georgian Bay Township. YWalk4Women&Girls will be walked on consecutive days with an anticipated finish in Port Severn nine days later on Saturday, August 19th.

WHY YWALK?

YWALK raises awareness about the factors that influence girls’ mental health, the lives of girls and women of Muskoka and the challenges they face. It connects Muskoka’s communities in a common purpose by walking across Muskoka. YWalk4Women&Girls raises funds in support of girls’ and women’s mental health. These funds allow the YWCA Muskoka to continue to serve over 1,600 people in 44 different locations throughout Muskoka whose lives are affected by domestic abuse, unemployment, lack of housing, transportation and poverty.

Walking is an affordable, accessible activity that is good for both physical and mental well-being. Walking is S L O W; it enables reflections and connections.

In 2016, we walked north to south through ALL of Muskoka’s municipalities. We covered 200 kilometres beginning with a fabulous send off in Dwight by MPP Norm Miller, Lake of Bays Council representatives and many walkers and well-wishers. Nine days later we were welcomed by the Township of Georgian Bay Council when the YWALK concluded in Port Severn, in the pouring rain! Mayors and Council members from 50 per cent of Muskoka’s area municipalities joined in YWalk.

With your help we exceeded our goal and raised $18,000 in support of elementary and high school-aged girls across Muskoka. Girls, boys, women and men, ages two to 85, took part in the YWALK including a community group from Wahta Mohawks and the girls of the YWCA summer program in Huntsville. YWALK sponsors have included: Algonquin Outfitters, Progressive Waste, WAHTA Band Council and several Municipal Councils.

EVERYONE is invited to be part of this exciting Muskoka-wide trek by sponsoring YWALK, recruiting at least one other sponsor (the more the merrier!) and walking as it works for you. The total fundraising goal is $15,000 – enough to fund four school-based programs for girls. YOU can make a difference! Tax receipts will automatically be issued for every donation of $50 or more.

To donate or sign up visit YWCA Muskoka’s website ywcamuskoka.com or call 705.645.9827. Follow @YwalkMuskoka using the hashtag #ywalk – the time and location of each days’ start will be posted along with photos and facts of the day that you can share with your friends and family.

Don’t forget to forward this message to at least one other friend, tell them you are a supporter and invite them to join you. Be a CHAMPION of positive change for Women & Girls!

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