9th Annual
Walk for the Homeless
Saturday
January 15, 2011
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
Help Raise Awareness and Funds
for Ohio's Rural Homeless
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 2010 Walk experiences were intended to expand the participant's perspective of poverty and homelessness through a wide range of engaging learning opportunities. While none of the walks were very long in terms of distance, and two of the walks were very short, each walk experience lasted about 2 hours. Each WALK left from and returned to the First United Methodist Church on College Street. Free parking was available in the Athens Parking Garage.
Here is the Athens News article on the 8th Annual Walk for the Homeless.
How can I get involved with next year's WALK?
- Volunteer to assist in the promotion of the WALK. Contact Cory Blackwell 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
- 9:00 am
- 11:30—12:00 noon
- 12:00 noon
Registration |
WALK Report:
The 2010 8th annual Walk for the Homeless was a tremendous success! It took place on January 16, 2010 and approximately 520 people came out to participate in the Walk to support the Timothy House and raise awareness about the issues of rural homelessness. The Timothy House is the only homeless shelter in nine southeastern Ohio counties (Athens, Gallia, Meigs, Jackson, Hocking, Vinton, Washington, Perry, and Morgan). Through the tremendous community support at the 2010 Walk for the Homeless, about $40,000 was raised that went directly toward the operating expenses of the Good Works Timothy House! Good Works only gets one government grant each year to operate the Timothy House and must raise an additional $120,000 from private donations to keep the shelter open. The Walk for the Homeless greatly helps to provide for our neighbors when they are in their most vulnerable state and battling homelessness.
Participants of the 2010 WALK had six experiences to choose from:
1. The Tent City Walk
Residents who stayed at The Timothy House shared their stories in a “tent city” designed to dramatize one aspect of homelessness. Participants then toured The Timothy House and walked to the Central Ave Church where Keith Wasserman spoke on some of his experiences of being homeless by choice over the past 20 years in 9 different cities.
2. The Food Insecurity Walk
New this year, this Walk explored the lack of food and the struggle that people in poverty face to eat healthy food. Food-related health and environmental concerns were highlighted as well as what some local people in Athens are doing to promote healthy, accessible food.
3. The Families in Poverty Walk
This WALK centered around the experience of families in poverty and highlights both the great struggle and perseverance of our neighbors as they seek to provide safety, shelter, food, and stability for their children.
4. The Walk of the Cross
A Stations of the Cross-like walk designed to tell the story of the passion of Christ and the suffering of our neighbors who are homeless.
5. The Mini Walk
Designed for people who want to participate in the Walk but who have difficulty walking. This walk was only 200 feet. Participants watched a video on poverty and homelessness and had a discussion.
6. The Homeless Simulation Walk
Designed to provide participants with an eye-opening experience that reveals the difficult (and often desperate) situations people who are homeless find themselves in as they try to navigate the shelters and the city in an attempt to find help and housing.
