HACAP in partnership with the Child and Family Policy Center is participating in this year's Walk a Mile project. State Representative Tyler Olson (District 38) and Dedric and Marci Roundtree, a young family in HACAP's transitional housing program in Cedar Rapids have agreed to "Walk a Mile" together through weekly phone calls and shared activities during September.
Walk a Mile is a unique education program that brings state legislators and families working with HACAP in their district together to learn more about each other’s lives, to gain a new perspective…and to “walk a mile” in each other’s shoes.
Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc. believes greater personal understanding between these two groups leads governments and communities to find genuine solutions to the problems of poverty.
The goals of Walk a Mile are…
• To enhance state legislators’ understanding and recognition of the difficulties and challenges facing their constituents.
• To enhance constituents’ understanding of the political process and the challenges that policymakers face.
• To empower constituents to become more involved in politics and to become advocates for themselves.
• To break down barriers and stereotypes, and to cultivate positive relationships.