Mayor Bowser Joined Friendship Place for Annual Walk to End Homelessness
(GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
Friendship Walks Raised Over $130,000 to Support DC’s Most Vulnerable Population
WASHINGTON, DC – On Saturday, November 4, 2017, at 10:30 a.m., Friendship Place—the region wide leader in developing innovating solutions to end homelessness—held its 4th annual 1.5-mile walk to end homelessness, Friendship Walks, on the National Mall. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser attended the event and spoke about the city’s vision to end homelessness.
“These are the most prosperous times that we have enjoyed in Washington,” said Bowser. “Because of that prosperity, we have an obligation and the ability to invest in safe and affordable housing for all DC residents, and that’s what we’re focused on doing.”
In October, Friendship Place presented the mayor with the “Leadership in Ending Homeless Award” at its Annual Benjamin E. Cooper ceremony. The award recognized her for her implementation of Homeward DC—which has successfully reduced the number of men, women and children experiencing homelessness in the District.
Friendship Walks drew hundreds of people of all ages—from Girl Scouts to Long & Foster team members— to the national mall. “Today, we are walking for the nearly 3,000 men, women, and children we have served this year and with the thousands more we have not yet been able to reach,” said Friendship Place President & CEO Jean Michel Giraud during the event.
Amazon brought out over 100 of its employees. The company, in June, announced a $1 million dollar match donation to Friendship Place until December 31, 2017. Its partnership with Amazon has allowed the non-profit to expand its services to critically vulnerable families through a newly created Family Connect Initiative.
Through Friendship Walks, Friendship Place raised over $130,000 towards ending homelessness in the DC region. Proceeds from Friendship Walks will be included in the Amazon match campaign to Friendship Place.
