Join the 'In Their Shoes' walk to raise awareness about homelessness and support community services

Read the full article at samessenger.com. 

In recent years, our country has experienced a significant rise in homelessness, with Vermont experiencing a 300% increase in homelessness over the last five years. The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO), which includes Franklin & Grand Isle Community Action, Samaritan House and Voices Against Violence, has been actively supporting a growing number of individuals and families. The homelessness crisis has been exacerbated by the shortage of safe and affordable housing and rising inflation.

To raise awareness and foster community involvement, CVOEO invites everyone to the In Their Shoes event on Saturday, May 24, at 1 p.m. in Taylor Park, St. Albans. This event aims to highlight the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and encourage community action. Participants will take a guided tour of St. Albans to raise awareness about the daily challenges faced by our unhoused neighbors and raise funds to sustain community services. By attending, community members can show solidarity and support for those in need, helping to drive positive change.

“In Their Shoes matters because it's a rare chance for our community to learn about a large number of organizations doing a variety of work to help our neighbors in need," Ben Kaufmann, director of Samaritan House, said. "We live among so many caring people who love to ask 'How can we help?' There's no better way to answer that question than by spending this time with us.”

How you can make a difference:

- Bring your community spirit and join us at the event! To extend your impact, we encourage participation in the following ways:
- Raise funds for community services: Inspire your community and help sustain programs supporting our unsheltered neighbors. All proceeds go directly to assisting individuals and families in their transition into safe, affordable, and permanent housing. Join or create a fundraising team at www.cvoeo.org/in-their-shoes
- Organizations and small businesses: Become a sponsor, or sign up as a team, set a fundraising goal, and invite employees to show their community support.
- Make a one-time gift: If you'd prefer to donate without starting your own fundraiser, you may make a one-time gift online.
- Spread the word: Share CVOEO’s social media posts (visit our Instagram or share our event on Facebook), invite your friends and family, and make plans to join us at the event.

“There are so many ways to support the work of our local nonprofits - monetary donations, volunteerism, in-kind donations," Kaufmann added. "Those are all important, but the best and easiest ways you can support our work is to voice your support for our work and to treat our clients and anyone you see struggling with kindness and compassion.”

The event attracts a diverse group of attendees, including residents, community leaders, advocates, small businesses, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness. It is a family-friendly event that welcomes people of all ages to participate and engage in meaningful discussions. Highlights include speeches and testimonials from community leaders and individuals affected by homelessness, tours of local community services, and a display that visually represents the number of people experiencing homelessness in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

“More and more we witness an American cultural pattern of individualism, and if we have been lucky enough to acquire the resources to meet our needs, we are often self-congratulatory," Jess Graff, associate director of Franklin & Grand Isle Community Action, said. "Yet, when we see others who have not, we are all too often condemning them as failures. When we take time to walk in the shoes of another, we take the time to experience not just their obstacles and struggle, but also their perseverance and ambition.”

This year, In Their Shoes has an ambitious goal to raise $20,000 to support our neighbors in meet. Help us meet this goal by signing up at www.cvoeo.org/in-their-shoes.