12th Annual Walk With Me & 5K

How It All StartedIdeas were tossed around as four high school freshmen were brainstorming ways to support the Miami Learning Experience School: “We can do a letter-writing campaign. What about a bake sale? Or a dress-down day? Let’s sell bracelets?” None felt right until one did. “Let’s do a walk!” In four months, they planned logistics, advertised, ordered t-shirts, raised funds, invited the families of MLE, and turned the idea into reality. It was small, completely student-run, and informal. But the sense of passion with which it was enveloped made it clear that Walk With Me was anything but inconsequential. Since then, Walk With Me has grown from 300 to 1,000+ supporters and has raised enough funds to supply MLE with new technology, after-school programs, and more. It has continued to empower student leaders and impelled high schoolers from over ten different schools to action. Each year, the Walk’s mission and vision lead Student Ambassadors from local schools, including MLE, to come together as one, find their voices, and lead through example—the event itself stands on community and inclusion. Not a community that walks for, but a community that walks with those with special needs. 
Mission StatementTo create an atmosphere of boundless support for students and adults with special needs by maximizing community building and spreading awareness. Vision StatementFor Walk with Me to continue to grow in widespread school participation and become actively recognized as an event that serves to create meaningful awareness and support within the community for students and adults with special needs and their families.