News

Return of In-Person Friendship Walk to End Homelessness to Improve Lives

Giving Hope to Every Person Experiencing Homelessness in DC

Washington, DC, April 30, 2022— Friendship Place, the nonprofit leading the fight to end homelessness in the Washington, DC region, announces that it will be relaunching its annual event on the National Mall, The Friendship Place Walk to End Homelessness, which is to take place on the April 30, 2022. Due to the disruption caused by the COVID epidemic, this will be the first in-person version of the 1.5-mile walking event since 2019. The 8th annual Friendship Walks to End Homelessness will also be making its debut into the more favorable Spring temperatures.

“We are thrilled to be getting some of our closest supporters back on the National Mall this year,” says Vice President of External Affairs Chris Rutledge. “Without them, Friendship Place would not be able to help and stand up for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.”

Supporters of Friendship Walks to End Homelessness are walking to address specific reasons that are keeping individuals and families either living on the street, in shelters, or in other habitats deemed inadequate as a nighttime place of residence.

Friendship Place Director of Advocacy Lynn Amano describes one of the most significant issues being highlighted in this year’s event. She says, “DC is approaching a significant milestone—the end of chronic homelessness for families and individuals.” But she explains that more resources are needed to cross the finish line. “The term chronic homelessness is used by homeless service providers to describe individuals or families with an adult who have experienced literal homelessness on a long-term basis while also facing substantial barriers to housing such as disabilities.”

People who the city recognizes as being chronically homeless qualify for special housing placement and service called Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). This housing model places them into long-term housing and couples them with case-managers who can ensure that they are generally stable.

Supporters of Friendship Walks to End Homelessness play a significant role in bringing resources and attention to issues and are allowing Friendship Place to provide the dignity of housing for members of the DC community. Annually, the event garners roughly $100K from caring individuals who, walk or donate, as well as small local businesses and corporate sponsors.

Friendship Place invites all members of the community who wish to get involved in the work to end hunger and homelessness to register for Friendship Walks at friendshipwalks.org.

Leading sponsors of Friendship Walk to End Homelessness 2022 include AT&T, The Kellogg Collection, NFP Meltzer Group, Delta Air Lines, Munger Tolles & Olson LLP, JPMorgan Chase, Wegmans, Bob’s Discount Furniture, the Erich Cabe Team at Compass, Enterprise Holdings and Edison Electric Institute.

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About Friendship Place

Friendship Place is a leader in the Washington, D.C. region, in developing solutions to homelessness that have measurable results and a lasting impact. Using innovative, customized, person-focused programs, Friendship Place empowers participants to rebuild their lives, find homes, get jobs, and reconnect with friends, family and the community, permanently.

Media Contact

Yimka Odebode
Media, Marketing & Communications Director
Friendship Place
yodebode@friendshipplace.org 
202-306-1958