Back row: Springfield City Councilor Jesse Lederman; State Senator John Velis; State Representative Bud Williams; Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia; State Representative Mindy Domb; Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra; Gerry McCafferty, Springfield Housing Director; State Representative Shirley Arriaga; Ari Barbnell, Winter Walk | Front row: Amanda Grant, Winter Walk; Jackie Bruno, former Channel 22 News Anchor; State Senator Jake Oliveira; Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno; Harvey McNulty, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office; Pamela Schwartz, Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness

On Sunday, February 5, over 400 people gathered from across western Massachusetts to walk in the name of ending homelessness in our region. The energy was high, the connection was strong – our elected leaders, our providers, our community – all together to share our commitment and our determination to make housing a reality for all. It was a beautiful morning in so many ways!

We cannot thank enough the Winter Walk organization – specifically Ari Barbanell, Amanda Grant and Sophia Paarz – a mighty team of 3 who brought their own incredible passion and skill to creating such a powerful event for our region. We are so grateful! And we are already looking forward to building on this amazing start for next year – and the year after that.

Check out more photos here, a powerful 4 minute video produced by Winter Walk (with thanks to Clinical & Support Options and Providence Ministries) and the media coverage here.

FYI: Fundraising is open until the end of February if you would like to support this year’s partners! 100% of funds raised by participants goes directly back to them to continue their work in our community. Donate here.

Go Western Mass!

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