Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m Todd Karges and I’ve been participating in Walk A Mile since 2012.  I’d been supporting friends walking for a few years prior to that and decided I wanted to be more involved.  This year I started working out at Motus Training Studio, a gym whose mission and values include inclusivity and diversity.  When I told my friends there about the walk, they were immediately interested in joining. That’s how Marco, Jamie, Ryan and I became the Swole Sisters.  We’re excited to be able to make a difference.

Why is gender-based violence and violence against women an important issue for you to take action on?
Gender-based violence isn’t a women’s issue, it’s a human issue.  The work that White Ribbon does to undo a twisted power imbalance that leads to violence against women is essential.  We all know women who have been victimized, and that’s a great reason to participate. We also recognize that when this kind of crap stops, everybody will benefit and we’ll live in a better place.

Why is Walk a Mile in Her Shoes important to you and how did you first get involved?
I’ve been involved for almost a decade, and the rest of the Swole Sisters are enthusiastic newcomers to the cause.  We all know that education and outreach are the most effective ways to change people, and that it’s a long process. The work that White Ribbon does is so important and we all knew we had to help however we could.

Tell us about your team and how how you got them to participate in the walk this year:
The Swole Sisters came together naturally, and it literally took no convincing.  When my friends from Motus heard what the event was about, they immediately wanted to participate.  White Ribbon’s mission aligns so perfectly with what we strive to bring to our gym experience. We all recognize our role in opening up cultures and changing people’s perspectives.   I’d say the Swole Sisters already existed. We just needed a place to put this energy.

What are you looking forward to most about this year’s walk?
Every year, I approach the walk with a bit of apprehension.  The shoes are not comfortable and a mile is a long way to go in them.  And every year, I am lifted by the energy and enthusiasm of the event: participants, spectators, everybody.  Mostly I’m looking forward to helping White Ribbon achieve their fundraising goal.
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Todd Karges is participating in White Ribbon’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, presented by DSW Canada, The Shoe Company and Shoe Warehouse, taking place on Wednesday May 29, 2019 at 11:45am, David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West, in Toronto. Donate to The Swole Sisters at: whiteribbon.akaraisin.com/wamihs2019/theswolesisters
​Visit www.walkamiletoronto.ca to register, participate, and or donate.  Thank you for your support of White Ribbon’s work to engage men and boys in promoting healthy masculinities and ending gender-based violence.  

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Dear Friends of White Ribbon,
As Spring gets underway, we are busy delivering programming, putting our heads together for innovation, launching two exciting new campaigns, Boys Don’t Cry and the Portal-Pathway, and getting ready to Walk a Mile in Her Shoes! Our community outreach and social media engagement have ramped up to bring about greater awareness and change in ending gender-based violence across Canada and beyond.  We are thrilled to share the following White Ribbon updates with you.
 
Get to Know Our Change-Makers
Over the past six months, White Ribbon has been blown away by the passion and commitment of fifteen men who have become Peer Champions, while embracing their roles in preventing gender-based violence in the community. Thirty community-based events were organized by our Peers, from kitchen tables to organizations and social spaces.

Visit the campaign website to learn more about domestic violence and an exciting new BEST model for ally-ship. These efforts are a part of White Ribbon’s partnership with the Immigrant and Refugee, Neighbours, Friends and Families Campaign.

Promoting Male Allyship and Girls' Education in Kenya
We continue to work closely with our partners at the World University Services of Canada and local community organizations to engage men and boys in supporting girls’ access to education in two refugee camps in Kenya. We are inspired by the incredible resiliency and passion of the community to advance quality and equitable education for girls.

Over the past three years, and with the support of the Ontario Government, we reached over 2.7 million students and educators in 1,850 elementary and secondary schools and distributed 1.4 million copies of campaign educational materials.
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​To date, White Ribbon has reached all Ontario post-secondary institutions with programming, resources, and training. We are immensely proud of this achievement, and continue to roll out workshops with student leaders, coaches, faculty and staff on ways to prevent sexual violence (on and off campus).

Changing Hearts and Minds
Our broad outreach and awareness-raising from White Ribbon workshops continue to see positive results. We are so grateful for the immense interest and support from diverse community members to unpack masculinities and gender-based violence prevention. This means getting participants to think about how gender stereotypes manifest in their own lives, encouraging critical thinking, and making links to sexual violence and harassment against women and girls. Our participants have told us that, after attending our workshops, 85% have a better understanding of healthy relationships, consent and gender-based violence prevention.  

Much more work still needs to be done and we need your support!

Thank you!
On behalf of our volunteer board and small dedicated staff team, thank you again for your support of White Ribbon. Your renewed financial support is deeply appreciated - to make a donation today click here. Your donation will go towards much needed youth-based programming exploring consent, healthy masculinity, and male allyship. Make your mark, and help us to expand our reach.If you are interested in exploring partnerships or collaboration opportunities, please contact us at [email protected].  

Together we can prevent gender-based violence, and encourage more male-identified youth and adults to challenge their own biases and assumptions and work in solidarity with folks across the gender spectrum to create spaces of equity, support, authenticity and compassion.

In solidarity, 
Humberto Carolo                                                            Kate Bojin
Executive Director                                                            Director of Programs

Please sign the White Ribbon Pledge at www.whiteribbon.ca/pledge.

I walk because I remember.  In 1991, I was in the eighth grade and we were all trying to make sense of the tragedy that took place at Ecole Polytechnique.  Why did this man do this terrible thing?  Why did he target women?  We all felt so helpless but decided to participate in a walk downtown wearing our white ribbons on a cold fall day.  We wanted to show that we stood in solidarity on the important issue regarding zero tolerance for violence against women.  Fast forward to today and we are still fighting for women’s equality and teaching our boys about healthy relationships and respect. 

My son and I have had countless conversations about why I walk each year, why I raise money, and what it means to be a champion for this very important cause.  Like me, he felt compelled to do something meaningful and asked if he could join the walk this year.  While it will be a school day for him, I feel it’s appropriate to take him out for an afternoon for this very teachable moment.  As we walk, we will continue our dialogue so that he can pay it forward and have these conversations with his male peers at school.  Education is so important and the work the White Ribbon does each day is invaluable. 
 
Thanks to all who have supported me on this walk and donated so generously.  Dev and I will be asking for money again.  The need still exists, and we must do something, keep walking and continue our efforts.
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Sign up to participate in or donate to the 10th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Toronto at: www.walkamiletoronto.ca
Donate to Nirav's page: whiteribbon.akaraisin.com/wamihs2019/niravpatel