CCA's 27th Annual ShelterWalk

Over 300 walkers came out on October 17th for Community Care Alliance’s 27th Annual ShelterWalk at River Island Park in Woonsocket. More than $30,000 was raised to benefit the Woonsocket Shelter and homelessness prevention programs of CCA. Teams of walkers from local schools, churches and community organizations participated including Friendly Home, Valley Chapel of Uxbridge, MA., Beacon Charter High School for the Arts, the Woonsocket High School Cross Country Team, St. James Baptist Church, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Voice of America, Sojourner House, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley and the Gingers Team from Blackstone. This year’s walk was in memory of Father Lionel Blain, pastor emeritus of St. Joseph’s church in Woonsocket and a co-founder of the Woonsocket Shelter.

Forty sponsors supported the event, including major sponsors St. James Episcopal Church, CBIZ, Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd, Mutual of America, Provider Insurance, United Healthcare Community Plan, St. James Baptist Church, Technical Support International, and Soucy Insurance Agency. CCA President/CEO Ben Lessing introduced speakers including U.S. Congressman David Cicilline, ShelterWalk committee members Police Chief Thomas Carey and City Councilor Dan Gendron, and Woonsocket Human Services Director Linda Plays. Tony Petrarca, weatherman for media sponsor WPRI Channel 12 spoke briefly before joining the 3 mile walk through Woonsocket.

“This event is a reminder that the lives of homeless children and adults matter and that we should not push them to the margins, but embrace them as full members of the community,” said Ben Lessing, CCA President/CEO. “We see over and over again homeless families and individuals working against all odds to improve their circumstances; the shelter program represents a “hand up” in their journey.”

Last year, the Woonsocket Shelter served over 200 individuals, half of them children. In addition to emergency housing, residents are connected to resources such as basic needs assistance, employment and training programs, financial literacy and other services. Due to the support of the shelter program, 84% of those who left the shelter were able to transition to a permanent housing or a transitional housing program. For more information about the Woonsocket Shelter and other Community Care Alliance programs, visit www.CommunityCareRI.org