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Teens and Jeans 5K Walk-a-Thon for the Homeless

8 Digs

“Many poor people are at risk of homelessness. Ultimately, this is because it is hard for them to afford housing. Unemployment, housing cost burden, and living doubled up are indications of this struggle to afford housing. Longitudinal trends and changes from 2012 to 2013 indicate populations at risk of homelessness may not be experiencing the benefits of the economic recovery” (“The State of Homelessness in America 2015”)

During National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week The Department of Parks and Recreation along with PG Xtreme Teens empowered teens to take action against homelessness with our Teens and Jeans 5k Walk-a-Thon for the Homeless at Bladensburg Waterfront Park.

With over sixty-five volunteers including three Girl Scout troops and college students, walkers and donators were greeted with smiles that matched their giving hearts as the Northwestern High School Marching Band made a grand entrance to kick off The Walk-A-Thon. As a community we collected over five thousand jeans! Since November 1st all of the Department of Parks and Recreation community centers had a place to drop off jeans that have now been distributed to service organizations and shelters throughout the area.

Unfortunately the Affordable Housing Crisis affects more than just Prince Georges County, MD; it is a National issue therefore we as a community must continue to do more to bring awareness to both hunger and homelessness on a consistent basis. Targeted federal funding to address homelessness is at its highest level in history yet the problem still exists. View the Ten Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Prince Georges County so we can continue to make a real and sustainable difference in the lives of many.

Special Thank you to: Fredrick Douglas HS (425 pair), Diamond Star Divas (504 pair), Designing Bodies by Ro(over 500 pair ) Friendly High School (1,200 pair),and First Baptist Church of Glenarden (2000 pair).