Walk In Her Shoes Fundraiser

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes has been a successful fundraiser for Citizens Against Spouse Abuse, and the nonprofit is expanding the number of walkers to 24 for the third annual charity walk May 12 at Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

JoAnne Patterson, executive director of CASA, says she is “still looking for a half-dozen walkers” – men who are willing to walk a mile wearing high heels. Now’s the time to sign up so the walkers have some time to learn how to walk in heels and, more importantly, to line up $1,000. That’s the main reason for the advance registration, although a little practice in the heels probably is not a bad idea. The charity walk raised $14,000 the first year with 17 participants and last year netted $11,000. Patterson is hoping to increase the amount with more walkers and each raising $1,000 from supporters.

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes is one of CASA’s two big fundraisers, the other being the Dickens Show, an auction of decorated Christmas trees. That’s “our big signature fundraiser” organized for many years by Myra Starnes – “she does so much for the community,” Patterson says.

As is the case for nearly all the nonprofits providing a variety of vital services, fundraisers are increasingly important. CASA’s financial support from its major grants is down 30 percent. “Our agencies [and all area nonprofits] are suffering from a dramatic shortfall in financing,” Patterson says. “We’re down to the bare minimum of staff.” CASA’s annual operations budget is $600,000; it was $900,000 before the recession of 2008. Patterson reaffirms that for many people, the recessionary economy continues, in spite of positive signs of recovery in tourism.

CASA operates safe houses in both Myrtle Beach and Georgetown. The number of spouse abuse victims helped annually is 386 in both counties, 286 in Myrtle Beach, 100 in Georgetown. At least that many more are served in individual and group counseling in locations other than the safe houses, such as the Little River United Methodist Church, and in court advocacy and case management. On a recent day, 12 women and children were in the Myrtle Beach safe house and 9 in Georgetown. The length of stay of course depends on circumstances; it typically is two weeks. Finding housing is very difficult, Patterson says. CASA helps victims in finding a job, medical care and in enrollment in assistance programs.

“Generally, somebody has been hurt – or feels they’re going to be hurt.” CASA works closely with other agencies such as the Little River Medical Center, the Rape Crisis Center and Myrtle Beach Haven.

Unfortunately, women typically return to the abusive situation. “They do go back. Seven to eleven times they go back,” Patterson says. It’s a statistic that has stuck with her for the 13 years she has been the director of CASA. She also worked at the Myrtle Beach Housing Authority. After being here 30 years, “I’m a local now.”

She recalled two families that “came [to the safe house] with nothing and left with everything – they broke the cycle and are living violent-free.” That’s success. “All of us in the trenches – what sustains us is our successes. When it happens, you know you can do it [keep on trucking] again today.”