On November 19th, I will be taking the students from my after school program to Exposition Park to participate in the United Way’s HomeWalk. We have been doing this for a few years, and the United Way is one of our community partners. The following information is lifted right off the HomeWalk LA website for your convenience. We will see you there.
What is HomeWalk?
HomeWalk is United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ annual 5K Run/Walk to End Homelessness. Each year thousands join together to do their part by fundraising and spreading the word that homelessness is a solvable problem.
Why HomeWalk?
In Los Angeles County 51,000 people are homeless. Wages have not kept up with housing costs. Over the past 20 years, only the top 1% of salaried workers have seen significant income growth. Our percentage of working poor is higher than the U.S. as a whole. We’re the homeless capital of the nation. The number one reason for homelessness is losing a job, and L.A. County unemployment is in double digits for the first time since May 1993. The HomeWalk funds focused on ending homelessness among 2 populations; the chronically homeless, who are the most costly segment, and families who represent the fastest growing segment.
How does the United Way help?
All money raised through HomeWalk is distributed back into the community to help quickly re‐house homeless families and provide permanent supportive housing to our most vulnerable, chronically homeless individuals and veterans. Over the past 4 years, HomeWalk has mobilized 18,000 walkers, raised $1.7 million and funded organizations that have moved 9,000 people into permanent housing.
The United Way believes that our community must focus on housing people first while giving them access to support services such as health and mental health treatment. This “emerging model” was designed to move people into housing quickly while giving them the supportive services necessary to stay there. In this model shelters are used as very short-term housing only. Housing homeless families and individuals will do more than manage the problem, it will solve it.
How Can We End Homelessness?
The number one reason for homelessness is loss of a job. With our region’s unemployment at the highest it’s been in a decade it’s not surprising that we are the homeless capital of the nation and that 40% of the homeless population are women and children.
We can end chronic, veteran and family homelessness by moving people into housing quickly while giving them the necessary services to remain there. This permanent supportive housing model has drastically reduced homelessness in cities like New York and Denver, and it’s 43% more cost effective with an 80% success rate of people staying off the streets for good. HomeWalk is an opportunity for our community to come together to raise funds and hope for a better future. Join us by participating, volunteering and/or recruiting others. Together we will end homelessness.
Register To Walk and Fundraise
Go to www.homewalkla.org to register online and start fundraising by asking ten people for $10.
Event Information
Saturday, November 19th
Exposition Park
700 Exposition Park Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Important Info
Registration Opens: 7:00am
Opening Program: 8:30am
Run/Walk Begins: 9:00am
Registration fee for walkers and runners is $25.
Minors (under 18) are free.
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