11th Annual

Good Works WALK    

Saturday
February 23, 2013

Registration begins at 8:30 am
The Walk begins at 9:00 am
and ends at 1:00 pm
First United Methodist Church
2 South College St , Athens

Click here to be a Business Sponsor

What is it?
A walk to educate the public (children, youth and adults) about the reality of homelessness and poverty in southeastern Ohio and to generate needed financial support for the Good Works Timothy House, a shelter for the rural homeless in Athens, Ohio. The Timothy House serves homeless people from nine southeast Ohio counties.

How will the money be used?
All the money raised by individuals participating in the Walk will be used to assist the homeless through the Good Works Timothy House, where almost 75% of our funds come from private donations.

What will I experience on the Walk?
All of the 2012 Walk experiences are intended to expand the participant's perspective of poverty and homelessness through a wide range of engaging learning opportunities. While none of the walks are very long in terms of distance, and at least one of the walks is very short, for the sake of our seniors.  Each WALK leaves from and returns to the First United Methodist Church on College Street. Free parking is available in the Athens Parking Garage.

• Volunteer to assist in the promotion of the WALK. Contact us at goodworks@good-works.net or by phone at 740-594-3339.
• Be a "cheerleader" for the WALK by announcing it and promoting the WALK in your school, among friends, in clubs, in your church, in your hometown, and among your family.
• Get sponsors!   Find at least 10 people who will sponsor you at $10 each. Our goal is for each walker to bring in $100.
• Do the Walk!  Plan to arrive by 8:30 am at the First United Methodist Church in uptown Athens. There is free parking on the top two floors of the Athens Parking Garage.

8:30 am 9:00 am —12:00 pm 12:00 pm—1:00 pm

Registration Walk Experience Free Rice and Beans Lunch with Walk Reflections

Walk Experiences for 2012 Walk for the Homeless

Sometimes Life Isn’t Fair – This Walk is designed to creatively dispel commonly held myths surrounding poverty and homelessness, particularly as they relate to people in Appalachian Ohio. This Walk is designed to appeal to families and children, and intends to begin a conversation about how things might be different than they are. (1.9 miles round trip/200 walker capacity)

The Recovery Walk – Southeast Ohio is experiencing an epidemic of addiction. On this Walk we will hear from community members, former residents of the Timothy House, and Good Works staff about the ways that substance abuse affects all parts of life.  We will explore the destructive aspects of this problem as well as the holistic nature of recovery. (3.6 miles/100 walkers)

 The High Costs of Coal – This Walk will feature interactive experiences simulating the historical challenges of those effected by the coal industry in southeastern Ohio. This walk provides creative opportunities for families with children and individuals alike, and will help to bring understanding of how the legacy of the coal industry contributes to poverty today. This walk is a partnership with the VISTAs of Rural Action, Inc. (0.9 miles/100 walkers)

Three Days on the Streets-Homeless Simulation – This Walk is a simulated experience to illustrate many of the difficult scenarios people who are homeless encounter. This simulation is for participants to get a hands-on experience and build compassion for those who are without homes as they recognize some of the barriers and frustrations this population faces on a daily basis. (0.6 miles/45 walkers)

The Mini Walk – A Walk experience designed for people who want to participate in the walk, but find that they have difficulty walking. Participants will hear the first person story of a woman who was one of three children in a family that was homeless for more than 12 years. Her moving story highlights the importance of coming to know the persons behind the faces of those without homes. The Mini Walk provides an opportunity to come together to learn about poverty and homelessness, and to discuss what we are learning. (less than 0.1 miles/40 walkers)

The Employment Challenges Walk – This Walk will feature the challenges people who are homeless and in poverty face when trying to find employment in Athens.  Walkers will have the opportunity to hear from people who have faced and overcome these challenges, both from an employer and an employee point of view, and even get to fill out a job application at a local establishment. (1.5 miles/44 walkers)

Mental Health Walk – This Walk will challenge common misunderstandings regarding the relationship between mental health, poverty, and homelessness by providing participants with an educational experience designed to explain the complex relationship between mental health and poverty. (1.4 miles/ 60 walkers)