By Christian Tufino
At the sound of the horn, runners took off. Shoes hit the pavement and dust was sent flying up at the start of the Planned Parenthood’s sexual assault awareness 5k color-run Sept. 28.
Steps to Empowerment, an event dedicated to supporting survivors and building awareness, grew upon the success of last year’s tattoo fundraiser.
Registration for the run started at 8 a.m. where participants paid $30 to run and $25 if they pre-registered, but showing up to support was free. Tables with snacks and water were nearby for runners to fuel up before the race started and lawn games were set up in the field behind the registration table.
Bags of colored powder were handed out for everybody to throw when the race started, and volunteering fraternity and sorority members from SUNY Plattsburgh were placed throughout the run to throw the powder as participants passed.
“It’s really good for the community to come out and to show support to victims and survivors of sexual assault,” said Shelli Lavoie, Director of Sexual Assault Services at Planned Parenthoods Plattsburgh Clinic.
Local businesses including Twisted Carrot and Sip supported the event by handing out rewards for the top three runners in the event such as extra gift cards and cups.
Recent policies under Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act have cut funding for Planned Parenthood across the nation. This, for many people, has stopped them from receiving the support that they need through Planned Parenthood. Regardless of the financial cuts, Plattsburgh’s Planned Parenthood clinic is still committed to caring for those in need of their services.
“We know that Medicaid cuts are going to impact our health centers, we are still seeing our patients and even though Medicaid is no longer accepted at our health center we are still welcoming patients that have Medicaid services to our health center,” Lavoie said.
Held annually, this 5k color run spreads awareness and support for survivors of sexual assault in Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties. The sexual assault branch of Planned Parenthood provides free confidential counseling, immediate support, prevention for suvivors, referrals to mental health or legal services and medical services; STI testing, emergency contraception and pregnancy testing. They also provide educational programs that emphasize consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention and sexual assault prevention in schools, colleges and communities.
“We are very fortunate to be able to serve our community free of charge so when they’ve been impacted by sexual violence we know we can help them,” Lavoie said.
