JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hubbard House hosted its 16th annual Stand Up & Stride Domestic Violence Awareness Walk in Jacksonville on Saturday.
Around 1,500 people attended the walk, helping raise awareness of Hubbard House’s life-saving shelter and services.
The walk started at 330 East Bay Street, and the route went over the Main Street Bridge. There were games and prizes for kids and opportunities for attendees to connect to the impact of Hubbard House.
The event was capped off by a performance by the Jacksonville-based singer/songwriter duo, the Johns Twins.
CEO Gail Patin is proud of the 16 years and counting for the event.
“This just shows how wonderful Jacksonville is,” Patin said. “They come out and show survivors that they’re here to support them and for survivors to come out, they are the core of what we do.”
One survivor has been to several of the walks and she strives to share her story to let people know they’re not alone.
“When you go through a fire, you become ashes. so ashes are beauty,” she said. “My faith has brought me through,” she said through tears. “Because without my story, it will not and cannot save a life.”
Hubbard House is the certified domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties. It provides free, confidential support for domestic violence survivors and their families.
“It’s an organization that serves the community and does so much day-to-day, but is not widely known, the impact it has on our community,” Hubbard House Board of Directors Steven Dackiewicz said.
In its 48-year history, Hubbard House has served nearly 160,000 survivors of domestic violence and children each year, including 4,574 last fiscal year.
If you are in need of help, free, confidential support is available 24-7 through Hubbard House’s Hotline at (904) 354-3114 and Textline at (904) 210-3698.
