GRIP's 22nd Annual Harmony Walk to End Hunger is October 11.
GRIP's annual community awareness event, our Harmony Walk to End Hunger, is in its twenty second year. Last year, hundreds of people -every facet of our community: from faith groups to businesses, other non profit organizations, schools and friends of GRIP- walked our neighborhoods to help GRIP end hunger and change lives.
Several activities lead up to this year's event.
The Harmony Walk kick-off, part of Music on the Main, will be Wednesday, September 24, 2008, from 5-7:30 pm, will be on Main Street in Richmond. Entertainment includes our member congregation choirs and local school bands. And, a West Contra Costa County Unified student (all grades) poster contest(more info on the contest, coming soon).
As always, the Walk is a full day of fun: families and friends, community members, school bands and musicians join us along the Walk route; the Walk culminates in a community festival at John F Kennedy Park in Richmond.
While we want everyone to have fun, this also is an opportunity to learn about community and government support services and their providers, our business partners, early childhood education opportunities and more.
GRIP helps individuals and families overcome hunger, homelessness, mental illness and physical challenges to become productive and independent. We advocate to effect policy on behalf of the most vulnerable among us.
While most of what we do is volunteer- and donation- driven, our year-round programs and facility operations, and core staff, are in need of financial support. GRIP 's Souper Center's daily free lunch program, as well as the Richmond and San Pablo Food Pantries who provide some of our food, and our new 75-bed, year-round homeless family shelter meet critical needs in our community, but we cannot keep our doors open without help.
Get Involved! Help us Plan, Become a Sponsor, Organize a Walk Team.
We have at least four ways you can get involved in GRIP's most significant annual event:
- sign up to walk with us, and
- send letters to secure support for your participation,
- obtain sponsors who will be recognized on our Harmony Walk T-shirts,
- create a poster in our student contest.
Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to take advantage of this great advertising opportunity: at least 4300 volunteer walkers and all those they come across during the Walk and the festival will see your name on our T-shirts!
Become a Sponsor
Coming soon: Poster contest info; Tips to help us raise funds.
General Information:
Walk Registration and Rally begin at 8 am, and Walk begins at 9 am, October 11. Walk ends with festival at JFK Park .
Walk route is about two miles: starts at JFK Park on S41st at Cutting, moves from Cutting up Carlson to 22nd, to MacDonald Avenue to 37th to Wall Ave and ends back at JFK Park.
Festival includes food and games, petting zoo, information tables.
The next Harmony Walk planning meeting is Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 6:00 pm, in the Conference Room at St. John’s Catholic Church, 11150 San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito, CA 94530. (Go to the back of the church on Kearney Street. Come through the gate and look for the Conference Room near the church on the left.)
EVERYONE is welcome to participate.
We will distribute Walk Coordinator Packets at meetings. These Packets include the materials you or your group need for a Walk Campaign. We also will help answer questions and offer ideas and support as you complete your pledge letters and expand those who support you and, through you, GRIP.
Has your congregation or organization started your Walk Team?
Please let us know the name and contact information for your Walk Coordinator. Also, should your Walk Coordinator, or another member of your Walk Team be unable to pick up your Walk Coordinator packet at the June 26 meeting, please arrange to pick it up as soon as possible, by contacting Toni Lawrence, GRIP Executive Assistant.
Please also see our Events page, for more.
Dates and Times to note:
The kick-off for Harmony Week is Music on the Main, set for Wednesday, September 24, 2008; 5:00-7:30 p.m.
Walk Registration and Rally begin at 8 am, and Walk begins at 9 am, October 11. Walk ends with festival at JFK Park .
Join us at next month’s Harmony Walk Committee meeting, Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 6:00 pm, in the Conference Room at St. John’s Catholic Church, 11150 San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito, CA 94530.
For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Toni Lawrence, Executive Assistant (510) 233-2141, ext. 303.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Why is affordable housing important to everyone?
According to the World Bank in December 2007, the lack of affordable housing is the main cause of homelessness in our nation. Public Health officials recognize many illnesses are linked to housing issues. Supportive housing helps stabilize physically, mentally and other challenged populations. Many new affordable housing projects are innovative, leading project design and more in green building and sustainable community development.
What is affordable housing?
Policymakers consider housing to be affordable when a family pays no more than 30 percent of their total income in rent or mortgage payment, insurance and taxes. A reasonable utility allowance is also frequently included in the definition. This definition is widely used by local, state and federal governments and recognizes that households have other essential expenses including food, clothing, healthcare, childcare, education and transportation.
What does affordable mean in the East Bay ?
Housing is affordable if it meets this 30 percent test. According to the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index, the East Bay is the 19th LEAST affordable metropolitan area in the country, where 90.7% of Alameda County and Contra Costa County residents cannot purchase an area median - priced home.
The “new generation” of affordable housing developments by non- profit developers offers innovative, practical solutions to the East Bay’s housing crisis and includes hiring renowned architects to design high-quality, award-winning housing that fits into the context of the neighborhood. Additionally, these professionally managed properties deter crime and increase neighborhood vitality.
Affordable housing developments also contribute to the stability and cohesion of neighborhoods throughout the region.
To learn how affordable housing changes lives and neighborhoods, visit GRIP Board President Rev. Phillip Lawson's organization, the East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO), web site (www.ebho.org). |
