In 2011, a group of four high school freshmen united with a shared goal: to make a lasting mark on the special needs community by supporting the Miami Learning Experience School. Their brainchild, the annual Walk With Me event, not only allowed MLE to tap into support from neighboring high schools but also served as a platform to enhance visibility, raise awareness for the special needs community, and gather funds for the various programs and resources benefiting MLE students.

Since its inception, Walk With Me has witnessed remarkable growth. Drawing a crowd of over 1,000 participants each year and generating upwards of $40,000, the event has facilitated significant advancements for MLE. These strides encompass the provision of new technology, after-school programs, the establishment of a dedicated walking path, and much more. Evolving to encompass a 5K route, food trucks, games, and engaging activities, the walk's impact continues to expand, further amplifying the school's influence within the community.

In addition to its financial achievements, Walk With Me has consistently nurtured the emergence of student leaders and propelled students from more than ten different schools into proactive involvement. With every passing year, the walk's guiding mission and vision rally Student Ambassadors from local schools, including MLE, to unite in a common purpose. It empowers them to discover their voices and lead by example, underscoring the event's foundations of community and inclusivity. Rather than merely walking on behalf of others, this event epitomizes a community that walks side by side with those who possess special needs.

FOUNDING STUDENTS
Sima Vazquez, Alexa Garcia, Erica Garcia, Nicola Haubold
Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Class of 2015

MISSION STATEMENT
To create an atmosphere of boundless support for students and adults with special needs by maximizing community building and spreading awareness.

VISION STATEMENT
For 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.