'I'm proud of where I'm at': Glow Walk raises awareness for youth in need
About 40 people turned out for the 10th annual Glow Walk on Tuesday.
The event raises awareness about homeless youth, those at risk of homelessness and runaways.
Kia Overturf with Youth and Family Services and co-chair on the Youth Task Force noted the Rapid City Area Schools' McKinney Vento Program identified 708 students who were housing insecure or at risk of it during the 2023-24 school year.
"That really highlights how many youth in our community face these challenges," Overturf said. "So we just try to be there for them, trying to spread awareness, so that they know what resources they can reach out to, and that there is help for them in the community."
Kanin Booth, 16, a Rapid City Stevens High School junior who serves on the Youth Task Force, said the task force works to fight homelessness through awareness, outreach and "anything that they might need help with, or people they need to reach out to."
"I have never really experienced anything like that, but the next step to really helping people out, with showing compassion to those that need" was joining the task force. "Instead of just standing in the background and saying, 'this needs to be done,' involving myself and then involving my friends."
It was around 41 degrees when the walk started, and with little wind the evening was chilly but not unbearable. Attendees made a stop at the WAVI house on Quincy Street for hot chocolate to warm up and to hear from WAVI, The Circle, Journey On, the Black Hills Homeless Coalition and other organizations to hear about available services for the homeless, victims of domestic violence and others in need.
"I've been through my struggles, but I'm proud of where I'm at," Lolita King, 20, a peer navigator at the Family Connections Center's The Circle, told the crowd before they stepped off.
King said she felt personal stories are the highest form of inspiration and felt compelled to tell hers. She mentioned living in 14 homes by the age of 7 and a total of 11 communities by the time she turned 20. Her struggles with substance abuse started at age 12.
"I'm proud to say I'm now sober and in recovery," she said to applause.
Through treatment King said she was connected to the Youth Action Board, which helped her find housing, a full-time job and the support to finish higher education.
"I remember coming here last year and standing where you're standing tonight," she said. "Never in a million would I have thought I'd be up here on stage sharing my story. I've been through my struggles, but I'm very proud of where I'm at. (Being) in a position to help people like I've been helped is more than I could ever ask for."
PHOTOS: Raising awareness for youth in need at annual Rapid City Glow WalkPhotos from the 10th annual Glow Walk on Thursday, Nov. 7 in downtown Rapid City.
