BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — There's hope for kids who've experienced sexual and physical abuse in Blount County.
Just last year New Hope Blount County Children's Advocacy Center served 765 kids, and incoming CEO Ashley Fontenot said she expects those numbers to grow this year.
That's why events like the upcoming Heroes for Hope 5K race are so important because New Hope doesn't charge for its services.
Fundraising events, like the 5K, directly help provide things like forensic interviews and counseling to abuse victims. The money paid by runners to partake in the race goes toward this program.
"We are 50% community funded, whether that's through fundraising events, like the Heroes for Hope 5K, or individual contributions," Fontenot said, adding that the other half of the funding for the nonprofit comes from grants.
New Hope's services touch the lives of hundreds of Blount County kids each year.
"We know that one in 10 children will be affected by abuse either physical or sexual before they turn 18 years old," Fontenot said. "So that's why our services are so needed in Blount County."
New Hope follows the children's advocacy center model for care, which means it provides a safe and free space for kids to work through their trauma.
"If a child experienced abuse, they would have to tell up to 15 different groups of people about the abuse details that they experienced," Fontenot said. "At New Hope, we house all of the parties involved in the investigation. So that child only ideally has to come and tell their story one time. So they don't, they're not really traumatized every time they have to tell the story."
The race is held on trails near the Maryville Greenbelt Amphitheater.
Fontenot said that runners often dress up to participate and raise awareness for the cause.
"We have had tutus, we have had capes, we have had all kinds of fun things," she said. "So come out, dress like your favorite superhero, or dress in your running shorts."
She said participants are invited to bring their dogs, too.
Blackberry Farm is one of the main sponsors for the race. Proprietor Mary Celeste Beall said it's important to give back to Blount County and New Hope's mission really struck a chord.
"We've given over $2 million over the past two decades to different causes throughout the county," Beall said. "But we really saw a need with New Hope. And it's something that sadly, so many kids and families are affected by. We really thought we can make a difference."
Beall said New Hope's services really help children all across Blount County.
"When I think about ways to impact our community, making a light a child's life easier, especially in a traumatic event is what New Hope is all about," she said. "And we always hope that there's less and less need, but that's not really reality. And so we need to do whatever we can to come together to make this community safer and supportive of those who need this service."
The Heroes For Hope 5K is scheduled for April 27. Packet pickup is at 7:30 a.m., there's a kid's Fun Run at 8 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:30 a.m.
If you would like to participate, you can sign up for the run here.