Lauren’s Kids 11th Annual Walk in My Shoes 

WHAT: Join the Lauren’s Kids Foundation, Prevent Child Abuse Florida, Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, and FCASV and be one of thousands of walkers across the state for the 2026 Walk in My Shoes 1,500-mile trek across Florida. April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month— every step counts in the fight to prevent child sexual abuse and help survivors heal.

This event is the 25^th and last stop in the more than month-long advocacy walk across the state, which starts in Key West and ends in Tallahassee. See the start/locations of multiple activities below to celebrate this important final stop. 

Attendees can participate in a 5-mile walk loop, with a water break at Governor’s Square Mall — with the opportunity to stop or continue walking the final 3-mile route to South Adams Street in Downtown Tallahassee. An UBER code will be provided to walkers to cover the cost of a ride back to any location necessary following the walk or block party events.

Join the Lauren’s Kids’ team for the final miles of our 1,500-mile walk — and stay for a family-friendly block party to celebrate the end of our journey!

WHO:

• Former Florida State Senator/Founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, and child sexual abuse survivor, Lauren Book
• Prevent Child Abuse Florida 
• Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers
• FCASV
• Survivors of all ages
• Community leaders
• Supporters;
• And more!

NEW ELEMENT: 

New for 2026, Lauren’s Kids is launching The Voices Project, a storytelling initiative designed to amplify and preserve the voices of survivors, in their own words. Throughout April, a mobile recording unit will travel with the Walk to capture anonymous audio recordings from survivors before daily walks. Those who wish to participate in-person can sign up at LaurensKidsWalk.org — and, to expand the reach of the project, survivors everywhere are also being invited to submit audio recordings of up to five minutes by emailing voices@laurenskids.org. Recordings will become part of a growing digital archive focused on awareness, education, and survivor empowerment.

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, May 1, 2026 |

Walk starts at Kleman Plaza – 306 S Duval St., Tallahassee, FL 32301

• Final Miles registration begins at 2:00 p.m.; Walk starts at 3:30 p.m.
  Final miles start at Kleman Plaza 306 S Duval St., Tallahassee, FL 32301
• Family-friendly Block party is between 5 and 7 p.m.
  Block party will be located at South Adams Street, Between Jefferson & College Avenues – Downtown Tallahassee

PUBLIC REGISTRATION: www.laurenskidswalk.org

WHY: Child sexual abuse is a pervasive and preventable public health issue that impacts families and communities across the country. There are more than 42 million survivors of sexual abuse in the United States, and nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults occur against children ages 17 and under. Current statistics note that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will become a victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. Walk in My Shoes shines a light on the realities survivors face, elevates their voices, and reinforces the urgent need for education, awareness, and prevention—because when communities come together, abuse can be prevented and healing can begin.

Notably, this event is taking place with the Epstein files continuing to incite rightful outrage across the globe. This is an opportunity to act for a cause that is getting heightened awareness and attention.

VISUALS: 

Vocal and well-known sexual abuse survivor and child advocate leading local attendees through a powerful walk; Attendees in coordinated Walk in My Shoes shirts; A large bus, slowly rolling through the streets, while walkers safely walk among traffic; Local supporters honking and cheering as walkers walk by and a block party with free food, music, and fun for all ages!

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

RSVP + Pre-event coordination: Meredith Westheimer, (561) 213-8192 

Day-of on-site contact: Claire VanSusteren, (352) 281-9056