A 1,500-mile walk through Florida with a beautiful mission? It's back.
Courtesy Lauren's Kids
Each spring, Florida child advocate Lauren Book laces up her sneakers for a journey that’s as symbolic as it is grueling. “Every year when I lace up my shoes for the Walk in My Shoes, I’m reminded why this journey matters so deeply to me,” Book tells Browardist. “My own path to healing began right here in Broward County at the Nancy J. Cotterman Sexual Assault Treatment Center.”
Now in its 11th year, the Lauren’s Kids Walk in My Shoes trek will once again cover a staggering 1,500 miles across Florida, beginning March 31 in Key West and ending May 1 in Tallahassee steps from the state Capitol. Along the way, Book and a rotating group of supporters will walk up to 25 miles a day, stopping in communities statewide to raise awareness about preventing child sexual abuse and supporting survivors.
For Broward locals, the moment arrives April 4 in Fort Lauderdale, when community members can join the walk for a meaningful stretch through the county.
Participants are invited to take part in a 5-mile walk from FTL War Memorial (800 NE 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale) to the Nancy J. Cotterman Center (2995 Dixie Hwy, Oakland Park) — it’s a deeply symbolic stop for Book, who credits the center as part of her own healing journey.
Walkers looking to go the distance can continue on the full 11-mile route to the Publix Super Market at Pompano Shopping Center (2511 E Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach). To make participation easier, organizers will provide an Uber code to walkers to cover the cost of a ride back from the walk, allowing supporters to focus on the experience without worrying about logistics.
Book’s nonprofit, Lauren’s Kids, is headquartered in Broward County and has deep local ties — including its Safer, Smarter Kids prevention curriculum taught in Broward County Public Schools. “This community has stood beside us from the very beginning — lifting survivors’ voices, walking mile after mile, and helping turn awareness into action to keep kids safe,” Book says.
New for 2026 is The Voices Project, an oral storytelling initiative launching alongside the walk. A mobile recording unit will travel the route throughout April, allowing survivors to anonymously record their stories and contribute to a growing digital archive designed to amplify survivor voices and promote healing.
Community members can register to walk, volunteer, or submit a story to The Voices Project, while those following along from home can watch livestream updates and daily photos as the trek makes its way up the state.
For more information or to get involved, visit LaurensKidsWalk.org.
