Mutual Ground’s Walk for Hope 2026

Saturday, May 30, 2026
9:00am - 12:00pm

Waubonsie Lake Park
9S080 Kautz Rd. | Aurora, IL 60504

Join us for our 18th Annual Walk for Hope!

Our community comes together through Walk for Hope to honor survivors, show support, and bring hope to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, and substance use. This event is more than a walk—it’s a powerful opportunity to stand in solidarity with survivors and help break the cycles of abuse and addiction.

This year, we’re gathering at the beautiful Waubonsie Lake Park Pavilion in Aurora for a morning of inspiration, connection, and community. Together, we’ll support Mutual Ground’s mission to create a safe environment where individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual violence, and substance use can find healing and reclaim their power.

Walk for Hope is a family-friendly event featuring a group 1-mile walk or the option to run a scenic 5K around Waubonsie Lake. Afterward, stay and enjoy lunch by the lake with local food truck vendors.

During the event, guests will also have the opportunity to explore impact displays created by Mutual Ground’s departments that highlight the work we do each day to support survivors. Attendees can connect with staff, learn more about our programs, and see firsthand how community support makes our services possible.

As always, this event is completely free to attend!

Register Here

Donate

Become a Sponsor

Fundraise for Hope

Walk for Hope is a peer-to-peer fundraiser, and the support of our participants and community makes this event possible. When you register, you have the opportunity to create a personal fundraising page and invite friends, family, and colleagues to support your efforts.

Your fundraising efforts help ensure that survivors in our community have access to safety, resources, and healing. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

Support the Walk for Hope and earn some Swag!

Receive a Walk For Hope T-Shirt by raising or donating $50 or more!

Receive a special Mutual Ground branded swag item by raising or donating $250 or more!

**T-shirts and items will be available for pick up during the event. Donations, pledges, and sizes must be received by May 15, 2026 to be guaranteed a t-shirt.

Getting Started

Visit Event Site

Visit our Walk for Hope event page to view our leader boards, see how far we are from reaching our goal, and more!

Visit Event Site
Registration

Register to attend the event, create your own fundraising page, and team page to share with your friends and family!

Register Here
Make a Donation

Help us reach our goal and support individuals on their healing journey!

Make a Donation
Become a Sponsor

Support the Walk for Hope by becoming an event sponsor! There are various sponsorship levels available.

Sponsor the Event
Volunteer

We need help to make this event a success. View our volunteer needs and sign up to donate your time to our event!

Volunteer

FAQs

Questions about Fundraising

Fundraising is easy! Create your personal fundraising page on our event site and share your link with family and friends to collect pledges. You can also start a team to fundraise together, making it a fun and meaningful way to support the cause.
Every dollar raised helps Mutual Ground provide safety, advocacy, and healing for individuals and families affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, and substance use. Your support directly impacts our community.
No! Walk for Hope is free to attend and participate. If you choose to fundraise, you set your own goal—every gift makes a difference!
Not at all! You can support an individual participant, a team, or make a general donation to Walk for Hope.
Any participant who donates or raises $50 or more will receive a Walk for Hope t-shirt as a thank-you for supporting survivors in our community.
Any participant who donates or raises $250 or more will receive a special Mutual Ground swag item. (Swag item details will be announced closer to the event!)

Questions about the Event

This year, participants can choose to walk a 1-mile course or run a scenic 5K (untimed) around the beautiful Waubonsie Lake.
After the walk or run, enjoy delicious food from local food truck vendors, take part in fun activities, and explore our impact displays to see how your support makes a difference.
And remember—Walk for Hope is completely free to attend!
- 9:00 AM – Doors open: check in, pick up your Walk for Hope swag, view impact displays, connect with staff, and submit pledges
- 10:00 AM – Event program begins
- 10:30 AM – Walk/Run starts
- 12:00 PM – Event concludes
Pieno Coffee will be joining us with a selection of coffee and croissants and Urban Food Truck will have food options available for purchase.
Bottled water will be available for all participants at no cost.
The Walk for Hope will take place rain or shine! In the event of dangerous weather, the event will be cancelled, and participants will receive instructions by email for alternate pick-up of t-shirts and any other event items.