Robert Schrader of Bakersfield says the first time he walked 20 miles, he was bedridden for three days after thinking he broke his ankles. Now the 43-year-old is walking about 20 miles a day for the next six months as he begins his journey to trek across the continental United States. Starting from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on the 4th of July, Schrader is walking to the Statue of Liberty in New York City to bring awareness to youth that have experienced domestic abuse.

He and his wife run a local non-profit, Y-Empowerment, which helps young people overcome their adversities and live healthy and productive lives. The organization stays in contact with the children even after they get adopted or turn 18 in order to keep providing those resources and connections. Schrader says he came from a foster background and knows what it’s like growing up in that environment so they want to work to end abuse in the home.

You can follow along with his journey at FollowTheWalk.org, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. He says their goal is to bring awareness and raise enough money be able to build a facility for after-school care in Bakersfield.