Walk a Mile in My Shoes Walk-a-thon

This year's Grace Centers of Hope Annual ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ Walkathon on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the Detroit Zoo to benefit the homeless children’s program at Grace Centers of Hope.

This years goal is to raise $100,000 to fund the following services for the Children’s Program of Grace Centers of Hope.

2013 Walk A Mile in My Shoes Detroit Zoo Walkathon Schedule:

7:45am- Registration
8:45am- Walk Begins
9:30am- Children's Activities & Award Ceremony

I interviewed Pastor Clark, CEO of Grace Centers of Hope at last year's "Walk a Mile Walkathon", who informed me Grace Centers for Hope recently opened a center for the kids called Hands of Hope. Money from this walk will go toward the maintenance of Hands of Hope as well as summer programs for the kids. Pastor Clark could not stress enough that this event is "for the children." The average age of a homeless person in the US is seven. Last year's walk at the Detroit Zoo raised $80,000 and the turnout was 900 people.

“We are inviting the community to spend the day at the Detroit Zoo and help make a difference in the lives of local children who are homeless,” said Pastor Kent Clark, CEO of Grace Centers of Hope. “With more than 500 walkers already registered, the ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ event will help inspire folks to come together to fight homelessness in our community.”  

Since 2005, this annual event has helped raise critical awareness and support for the fastest growing homeless population in the United States: children. According to the Homeless Management Information System Data Report (2010), it is estimated that there are more than 100,000 homeless people on any given night in Michigan. Of this statistic, one out of every three homeless persons is a child, at the average age of seven years old. 

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In addition to the Children’s Programs at Grace Centers of Hope, proceeds from this year’s walk-a-thon also will support the nonprofit’s new Hands of Hope Childcare Center, which opened in August and is located at the former P.O.H. daycare facility at 18 E. Pike St. in Pontiac. Hands of Hope cares for as many as 50 children of homeless parents attending Grace Centers of Hope programs, or living in Little Grace Village. There is no fee for a parent participating in the nonprofit’s programs.

Participants must register online. All registrants will receive a customizable webpage and online tools to help them meet their fundraising goals. Cost is $5 per child (ages 3 – 9) and $10 per person for those who are 10 years of age and older. There is no cost for children two years and under.  Grace Centers of Hope is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and all donations greater than $25 are tax-deductible.
 
For more information about registering to walk, building a walk team, or becoming a sponsor, visit http://www.gracecentersofhope.org, or contact Kelly Bailiff at (248) 334-2187, ext. 31 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
 
About Grace Centers of Hope
Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is one of southeast Michigan’s oldest and largest service providers for the homeless.Today, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, confronting issues of homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness on a daily basis. On any given night, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional and emergency shelter to 150-200 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 100,000 meals each year. Grace’s $4.8 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors, exclusive of any government assistance. For more information, or to make a donation, visit http://www.gracecentersofhope.org/.

Detroit Zoo Walkathon to benefit Grace Centers of Hope
Detroit Zoo
8450 West 10 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48067

This page is intended to be used as a guide. Oakland County Moms does not endorse these events. Oakland County Moms is not responsible for changes to event descriptions, event times or details being altered without notice or cancellations.