How running a 5k can help survivors of sexual abuse and child abuse – ‘Courage, resilience, and community support’

16th Annual Run2Overcome Event at Greenville, South Carolina

The Julie Valentine Center is set to host its 16th annual Run2Overcome event on the 3rd of August. Organizers have scheduled the event to commence and conclude at First Baptist Church, located at 847 Cleveland Street. The 10k run is slated to kick off at 7:30 a.m., with the 5k following at 8:00 a.m., and a separate children’s fun run set for 9:00 a.m. as part of the day’s events.

Run2Overcome: A Testament to Courage and Resilience

As per the organizers of the event, “Run2Overcome is a celebration of courage, resilience, and community support”. It is said to honor the remarkable bravery demonstrated by survivors of sexual assault and abuse. While the primary aim is to raise funds to sustain the vital services provided by the Julie Valentine Center, the event also provides an opportunity for the community to come together in unity and solidarity with abuse and assault survivors.

To resonate with the importance of community involvement, the Valentine Center shared a story dating back to June 8, 2008. An unknown assailant had attacked a young jogger in the Greenville neighborhood, sexually assaulting and severely beating her. The local community organized a 5k run to aid financial assistance. Even though it’s 2024 and the survivor has healed physically, she continues to draw emotional support from the event while also extending the support to other survivors.

Advocacy, Education, Outreach, and Support

A substantial portion of the funds generated from the Run2Overcome event will directly benefit the Center’s services. The Julie Valentine Center, as a nonprofit organization, provides advocacy, education, outreach, recovery, and free, confidential services to survivors of abuse and assault. Available 24/7, its operations have been ongoing since its inception in 1974.

“Despite the traumatic experience they have had to live through, the strength and bravery they display is simply an incredible testament to the human spirit.”

To participate in the event, potential entrants can visit the official event website at www.run2overcome.org. For direct donations or learning about volunteer opportunities, the public can visit www.julievalentinecenter.org for further details.