Los Angeles County is one of the biggest and most prosperous communities in the country yet more than 57,000 residents experience homelessness every day and 27 percent live in Metro Los Angeles.
To bring awarenes to the cause, United Way of Greater Los Angeles is organizing its anual HomeWalk at Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, November 18 with NBC4 reporter Ted Chen as emcee to it kick-off the walk and NBC4 Southern California as the media sponsor.
Now in its 11th year, United Way’s HomeWalk -- the only 5K family run/walk dedicated to ending homelessness -- has raised $7.6 million, which directly helped to house 18,000 individuals, families, children, and veterans since 2006. This year’s HomeWalk goals are to raise $1.5 million and mobilize 15,000 Angelenos.
Those expected to participate in the kick off program include Elise Buik, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; and several celebrities including actor Jon Heurtas from NBC's "This is Us."
This year’s HomeWalk comes on the heels of the passage of Prop HHH and Measure H, which will bring $4.5 billion for building permanent supportive housing and homeless services in Los Angeles over the next five years. While the city and county have taken a tremendous leap towards ending homelessness with this funding, more work is needed to reach that goal.
For more information or to sign up, visit unitedwayla.org/homewalk.
