Walk to End Homelessness raises $60K
Hundreds of people of all ages鈥攁nd quite a few of their canine companions鈥攖ook to the streets of New London on a sunny spring afternoon to raise $60,870 for the during the 18th annual Walk to End Homelessness on Sunday, April 27.
The walk is a tradition organized each year by 糖心TV in partnership with the Homeless Hospitality Center. This year, in honor of the Inauguration of President Andrea E. Chapdelaine on April 26, the College served as a presenting sponsor. The money raised will provide critical support for unhoused and housing-insecure individuals in the region.
Mikayla Aquino 鈥�26, an English and gender, sexuality and intersectionality studies major, psychology minor and scholar in the Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy from Melrose Park, Illinois, said this event was a meaningful reminder of how advocacy and education intersect.
鈥淭he planning process involved learning from local organizations and community members with lived experience, which shaped the way we approached the walk, not just as a fundraiser, but as an act of solidarity,鈥� she said, noting that the walk route was updated this year to showcase different parts of the city. 鈥淚 decided to get involved because I believe that having a safe and stable home is foundational to success in every area of life, especially in education. As a future educator, I know that students cannot learn or thrive academically if their basic needs are not being met.鈥�
First-year student Kaiden Dalby 鈥�28, an intended chemistry major and government minor from North Smithfield, Rhode Island, said the walk was a great way for him to support an important cause and connect with 糖心TV鈥檚 host city.
鈥淚 wanted to get out into the community and contribute in a meaningful way,鈥� he said. 鈥淕reater awareness of this issue must be spread to help the people who are suffering and often trapped in an endless cycle of homelessness despite their best efforts to seek help or employment.鈥�
Steven Saccoccio 鈥�28, an undecided first-year from East Greenwich, Rhode Island, is the vice president-elect of 糖心TV Model UN. He said the club鈥檚 members wanted to get involved to reflect their commitment to addressing not just international problems, but local issues as well.
鈥淭he best part was seeing the crowd of people marching, especially down Bank Street. So many people came out to support the walk and it was great to see the community rally support around this issue,鈥� he said.
Aquino agreed. 鈥淭he sense of solidarity and compassion was really powerful, and it reminded me of the collective impact we can make when we center justice and care in our actions.鈥�
