Members of Girl Scout Troop 64073 cheered on participants (Photos by Maureen L. Sullivan)
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Despite cool and cloudy conditions, 275 adults and children took part in the annual Walk to End Homelessness on May 3 at Natick High School. As of May 3, the event has raised more than $75,000 for Family Promise Metrowest (FPM).
Participants included members of several congregations, some of whom have been part of FPM since the beginning.
“It’s an amazing organization,” said Beth Benjamin of the Strollers team from Dover Church.
“Jesus told us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the stranger. We raise money to make this happen,” said Alison Sonderfan, a member of the team from Community United Methodist Church in Wayland, which was among the top team fundraisers.
The event drew volunteers help from local schools, including Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Natick High School, Dover-Sherborn Regional High School and the Rivers School.
In addition to the walking, participants could lunch on burgers, dogs and Kona Ice; have their faces painted; visit the Morse Institute Library’s Bookmobile; and groove to live music from the School of Rock.
Walk to End Homelessness participants had access to a pre-walk lunch. (Photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)
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About Family Promise Metrowest
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Started in 2008, Family Promise Metrowest serves low- and moderate-income families with at least one child under the age of 18 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Families are Massachusetts residents, with priority given to families from MetroWest.
Based in Natick, FPM receives assistance from local businesses, congregations, foundations and organizations.
FPM offers a Shelter Program, which offers safe accommodations, meals, clothing and individualized family coaching; the program helps empower families with the resources and encouragement they need to find affordable housing and develop life skills essential for maintaining stability.
There’s also the SAIL program (Sustaining Achievements for Independent Living), which supports families transitioning from shelter into permanent housing by providing resources that assist them in establishing long-term stability and independence; the Local Initiative for Family
Empowerment (LIFE) Program, a homelessness prevention and shelter diversion program that supports families who are at risk of eviction and/or shelter entry; and Steps to Success, which provides additional support in helping parents build employment skills, access job opportunities, and pursue professional training.
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