Almost every Saturday, as part of my weekly routine, I’m downtown, soaking up the vibrant energy and enjoying what this beautiful city has to offer. This might include indulging in an oily massage to release a pesky knot on my back or perusing an interesting 18th-century painting at the Museum of Fine Arts. After this colorful fanfare, I’m blessed to be able to head back to the safe place I call home, rest my head on a soft pillow, roll up in a cozy blanket, and enter dreamland.

Contrast this with someone I see on the sidewalk, almost every Saturday, with tangled hair, dirty clothes, and the usual cardboard sign: “Please help.”

Years ago, I embarrassingly admit that I would simply walk past them. Then, I started giving out money. I added the gesture of asking for their name so I can pray for them privately. This led to me also giving out a special card I designed with a phone number for an organization that could help them. (The card also  direct them to the local library to make the call). This then led to making copies of this card for my students, in case they find themselves downtown as well. Last year, I decided to upgrade my impact and participate in my first Winter Walk with my beautiful soul partner, Mónica.

Now it’s time to continue the upgrade and double my individual impact from last year.

Thank you to all of you who supported me last year!  Because of your support, I was able to achieve my goal and walk in gratitude, which led me to be featured on this local news station:

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/thousands-walked-through-boston-in-the-name-of-ending-homelessness--52710467

https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/-thousands-walked-through-boston-in-the-name-of-ending-homelessness/