UMBRELLA STROLLERS
Saturday morning rain can’t dampen spirits at 30th annual Shelter Walk
WOONSOCKET — Laterra Tiller wanted something better for her two children. But to get better, she knew she had to do better.
Tiller moved to Woonsocket from Georgia in 2014 and briefly lived with her sister, but quickly realized she needed her own living arrangement. In order to accomplish the necessary steps to find permanent housing, Tiller in October 2014 moved into the Woonsocket Shelter.
Thanks to the efforts of a collection of “proactive ... and great staff” who “help push you and help help you,” Tiller and her children left the shelter in April 2015 and by September of that year, they’d settled into permanent housing, where they reside to this day.
“You have to get out and do what you have to do,” Tiller said. “You have to advocate for yourself. I wanted better for my kids, but to get better, I knew I had to do better.”
Tiller’s inspirational story moved a crowd of about 100 rain-soaked walkers who assembled inside River Island Park on a drizzly Saturday morning before embarking on a three-mile loop around downtown as part of the 30th annual ShelterWalk.
The yearly saunter around the city supports the Woonsocket Shelter and homelessness prevention programs. Now in its 30th year, the annual stroll seeks to raise funds and serve as a method for raising awareness about the impact homelessness can have on families and individuals within the city.
Community Care Alliance Chief Executive Officer Ben Lessing said that while he was thankful for the walkers, donors, and sponsors, whose efforts yearly have raised money to keep the Shelter open, he acknowledged that it was “unfortunate that we still have to have walks like this, because there’s not enough affordable housing.”
The Shelter remains at capacity, Lessing said, with 22 families, many of which include children.
“This event is important on a couple of
fronts,” Lessing said. “Fundraising and awareness. It’s not getting better in terms of affordable housing but these are the true believers, who support the homeless and advocate for affordable housing.”
Clad in bright orange t-shirts, the small army of walkers proceeded through downtown on Saturday morning, shining a light on the issue of homelessness in the city. Lessing said that the brightly-colored shirts were just one way to draw eyes to the ShelterWalk, which in turn brings more attention and awareness to Woonsock- et’s homeless community.
Lessing also noted that if he could have it his way, Saturday’s annual ShelterWalk would have been the final edition in its history, only because that would mean there would be no need to be concerned about homelessness and its effects.
“I’d love to be able to be put out of business as far as homelessness is concerned,” Lessing said. “Anytime a family with kids enters homelessness, there’s a trauma.”
The work of Community Care Alliance and other organizations endeavoring to prevent homelessness sends a message that the community is supportive of those who are enduring hard times, officials said on Saturday. Whether it is credit counseling, life skills classes, or housing programs, the alliance offers something for everybody, with the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency in good housing.
The walkers assembled together at River Island Park early Saturday morning were comprised of individuals and groups of families, friends, schools, businesses, faithbased communities, local organizations, and city officials.
Wendy Pires, Community Care Alliance’s event coordinator, said in her 15 years with the organization, she’s witnessed the ShelterWalk grow from a small gathering of about 100 supporters to an annual event, which has peaked in the past with crowds of up to 450. On average, she said, the walk sees about 250 to 300 supporters, but that number may have been somewhat diminished on Saturday due to the inclement weather.
“It shows people know this is an issue we need to resolve,” Pires said of Saturday’s turnout despite the cold rain. “It’s a priority for people on our side, to fight this fight with us. It shows a commitment and value.”
“Our biggest thing we want to accomplish is awareness. We walk on the streets in the same color as a show of unity to end homelessness,” Pires said. “With the econ- omy, low rate of pay, we’re seeing more and more who need the shelter. Also, rent is so expensive.”
General Treasurer Seth Magaziner said the turnout – despite the rain – showed the kind of city Woonsocket is, specifically one that looks out for its own.
“When someone is homeless, it doesn’t have to be permanent … They just need help to get back on their feet,” Magaziner said.
Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt said she was inspired by seeing many familiar faces at River Island Park on Saturday morning, adding that Community Care Alliance “does such wonderful work … It takes a team to help people become self-sufficient.”
Baldelli-Hunt echoed Magaziner’s comments, saying that those who are strug- gling to find permanent housing may be down and out at the moment but all they need is a little lift to begin a new life.
“It’s good for self-esteem and for their children...” the mayor said. “We’re getting the job done and making a difference and it shows Woonsocket can do it.”