April 24 for the 2026 Walk In My Shoes trek

To recognize April being National Child Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) will once again be partnering with the Lauren’s Kids Foundation team for the 11th Annual Walk In My Shoes event on April 24, at 8 a.m. Every step counts in the fight to prevent child abuse and help survivors heal.

Though the 1,500-mile trek will cover the entire state of Florida, there will be a 5-mile walk portion of Walk In My Shoes that will start at ECCAC’s Niceville Center, 401 McEwen Drive and go to JoJo’s Coffee and Goodness, 4652 Highway 20. Or, participants can do a full 10-mile walk that begins and ends at ECCAC’s Niceville Center.

The founder of Lauren’s Kids Foundation in 2007 is Lauren Book. She is an internationally respected child advocate, former teacher, best-selling author, and former Florida state senator. She is also one of 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse in the U.S.

Lauren Book commented, “April is a powerful reminder that prevention starts with each of us — in our homes, our schools, and our communities. Every step we take during Walk in My Shoes is about protecting children, raising awareness, and making sure survivors know they are not alone. I’m so grateful to partner with the Emerald Coast Child Advocacy Center and the Niceville community to keep this mission moving forward — because every mile matters.”

ECCAC’s CEO, Julie Porterfield added, “We are honored to have Lauren Book walk with us again here in Niceville for the walk this month. Her Lauren’s Kids organization is so aligned with ECCAC’s mission at our two Centers in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. We try to heal and prevent the trauma of childhood abuse and neglect by providing awareness, education and advocacy for these children to be seen, heard and understood.”

Visit www.LaurensKidsWalk.org to register for the April 24th walk in Niceville. Or, register at ECCAC’s Niceville location at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. walk on the morning of the walk. An Uber code will be provided for transport back to the start if needed.

For more information, visit www.eccac.org, or call 850-400-3488. If abuse is suspected, report it by calling the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.

Join Lauren’s Kids Foundation and ECCAC in Niceville