October 12: If you see people hanging from the side of a downtown building this Saturday, don’t be alarmed. They are raising awareness and funding for a good cause.
The Voices of Courage Child Advocacy Center of St. Joseph, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of child abuse and trauma, is hosting its “Over the Edge” fundraiser.
The event sees people who have raised money for the organization being turned away from the side of the 14-storey building in Corby Place. The proceeds offset the organization’s costs so that it does not have to charge families in need.
Voices of Courage executive director Melissa Birdsell said the event aligns well with the organization’s mission and helps ensure they continue to be able to serve the community’s youth for years to come.
“We’re asking people to be brave and do something that scares them, which is what we do with kids every day,” Birdsell said. “We ask kids to come in, tell us their story of abuse or any trauma they’ve been through, and we ask them to do that on a regular basis. We want to make sure that when we bring something like this to town, it’s a great event that aligns with our mission and that really works very well.”
This is the first year the event has had more than 40 participants, with 52 people signed up so far to walk down the building. Those who want to participate must raise $1,000 to support the mission. The money raised provides for forensic interviews and therapy sessions, among others.
“We don’t charge families for our services, so all of the mental health treatment we provide is free for these families,” Birdsell said. “We need to be able to continue to operate and provide these services to these families. The number of kids we see is, you know, hundreds of kids a year.”
It takes about an hour to prepare for someone to climb to the top of the building, train people and put on harnesses. Birdsell, who organizes the event, has participated.
The story continues
“For me, it was difficult because I have a significant fear of heights, an irrational fear of heights,” Birdsell said. “If you’ve decided you want to go, you’re excited to do it. Some people are hesitant, but they realize this is something they really want to try or want to face their fear of heights. And, for so, it’s just an opportunity to have a great time or really face your fear.”
This is the fifth time the event will take place in the city, but only the second time in the Corby Building, as it was previously held in the Hillyard Building. There will be free food trucks and bounce houses from 11am until the end of the event between 3-4pm on Saturday at 422 Felix St.
Voices of Courage provides a variety of services to the community, as well as working with local agencies such as law enforcement and children’s divisions in nine counties to provide support when and where needed. The organization works directly with families and children after trauma to provide mental health treatment and advocate for those involved, ensuring they have steps forward.
Those interested in signing up can visit the Voices of Courage website at voicescac.org/.
