Agencies try to raise $70K for homeless

Joel Rekas has his walking shoes out for Sunday.\nThe fifth annual Homeward Bound Walk will take place in the Bloomington, and will benefit the Shalom Center, along with 12 other agencies, from the money and awareness raised. \nIU will be partnering and co-sponsoring with the community for Sunday’s walk, beginning at noon at Third Street Park. All students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome. The goal is to raise $70,000.\nRekas, executive director for the Shalom Center, said he thinks the goal is achievable, because last year more than $60,000 was raised.\n“Every dollar is crucial and we look forward to this event every year,” Rekas said. “I can expect that other agencies involved have similar anticipation to fight for homelessness in Monroe County.” \nThe opportunity of the walk allows the community to come together to rededicate and recommit to the fundamental premise for safe and decent affordable housing, Rekas said. \n“The entire community can understand the important issues and rededicate to finding solutions,” Rekas said.\nSome of the money raised will provide hot meals for 250 people who come to the Shalom Center daily. The money will also help prevent utilities from being disconnected for families who might become homeless, along with purchasing medicine for the others who need it, Rekas said.\nRekas said with the about $4,000 the center received from the annual Homeward Bound walk last year, more can be done to benefit the homeless population that Shalom serves.\nThe 5-kilometer walk in Bloomington is just one of 10 walks that will occur throughout the state. \nThe walk is in collaboration with the City of Bloomington and IU. Darrell Ann Stone, associate director of student activities at IU, and Vicki Provine, City of Bloomington program manager with the department of Housing and Neighborhood Development, co-sponsor the walk.\nProvine said last year between 500 and 600 people came out to walk.\n“We appreciate donations, but if you don’t have the money just come and walk and support the cause,” Provine said. \nProvine said that the walk will help educate the community on stereotypes and other factors impacting the public’s perception of the homeless and to become more aware of other issues involved, such as those who are sick and disabled.\nEducation of the homeless extends to IU as well, and Stone said she decided to become involved with the walk because not only is she passionate about homeless and affordable housing, but because she feels responsibility to students to be aware of the social issues in the community in which they live. \nProvine said that the walk isn’t just about the money.\n“Not only does the walk also raise the funds to help, but it is important for us to educate the community; to put homelessness in the hearts and minds of the community,” Provine said.