EMPWRing Women by Hiking the PCT

I am raising funds to help empower women! I am partnering with Released and Restored, a nonprofit that provides tools to help incarcerated people have full lives after prison. 64% of crimes committed by women are a result of coercion! In response, Released and Restored has developed a program called EMPWR that builds women's self esteem and independence. As an independent woman myself, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail starting April 17th, 2019. It is a 2650 mile trail that runs from the US/Mexico border through the California, Oregon and Washington. The first 700 miles are desert, then the trail goes through the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges. Most people take 5 to 6 months and $800-$1000 per month to hike the trail. For every $100 donated I am doing an hour of marketing work for Released and Restored. $3000 will get them a new website, with $5000 we can make a promotional video, beyond that I will be able to create print materials and photographs for them. Here's a bit more about my impetus for hiking the PCT: Last fall I thru-hiked the Vermont Long Trail, which is 273 miles. On that hike I was on a quest to figure out the next phase of my life. It turned out that I didn't have a lightning bolt moment that told me what I was going to be doing for the next 40 years. What did happen is that I learned to trust the process and trust the trail. One way this happened was by following the white blazes, which are strips of white paint on the trees marking the trail. I learned that I didn't need to know what was 10 blazes or 2 days ahead. I just need to be in the present moment and trust that another sign was coming. Since returning to civilization, I have continued to follow the signs.  When I got back from hiking the Long Trail, on a whim, I applied for a permit to hike the PCT. I logged in on the designated date and time. Even though I was on time I got an alert saying I was number 1204 in line. I thought there was no way I was going to get a permit with those odds. A while later I got an email saying 'You're all set to go!' I was shocked and thought, 'Gosh, maybe I actually have to hike this thing!' So, I am taking the permit as a white blaze meaning that I am meant to hike the PCT. I also have the time and the fitness to do it. The only piece that is missing is the money! I am trusting that if I am meant to hike the PCT this year you and the Universe will provide the necessary resources. Whatever experience I have, I am sure that I will be able to give back through my art practice, teaching, and work for Released and Restored.