Families walk strong for Olive Crest kids in Palm Desert

Dozens of people strolling the walkways of the Westfield Shopping Center in Palm Desert for Saturday’s “Strong Family Walk.”

The event helped raise funds for Olive Crest, a halfway house for abused or neglected children around the Coachella Valley.

The event focused on crime prevention with the help of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and Safehouse of the desert.
Darlene Hedger stopped by with her kids to learn a thing or two.

“I have a four-year-old daughter that just started school. Safety is very important especially when they’re away from you. It’s important to have others help you keep your kids safe,” she said.

Angela Allen, the development coordinator for Olive Crest, said the event was aimed at teaching kids what’s safe — not just on the streets but also in the home.

“As we’re all aware these are tough tough times. It places a lot of stress and we are trying to alleviate that stress on the most vulnerable children,” she said.

The non-profit group is dedicated to preventing child abuse, treating and educating at-risk children. It’s serving 500 families in the desert this year alone.

Allen said, “Those are families going through a crisis, homelessness, joblessness and incarceration.”

The safe families program also opens its doors for parents who need a safe place for their kids to go, while they work to get back on their feet.

“We want to strengthen the family so we don’t have those problems anymore,” said Allen.

Olive Crest hoped the strong walk would help families in more ways than one.

“One — for your health, you’re physically walking around the mall. And you’re strengthening your family. It’s a family activity you can do together,” she said.

If your family is in need of assistance or youwould like to donate to Olive Crest, call 1-800-550-CHILD (2445) or email olivecrest.org/dc