HomeAid San Diego’s STEP UP! 5k Walk to End Homelessness and 20th Anniversary Celebration Proves a Success
Nonprofit organization raises over $60,000 for projects, outreach, advocacy and more
SAN DIEGO — HomeAid San Diego, a nonprofit organization working to provide services to mitigate the homelessness crisis in San Diego County, hosted its fourth annual STEP UP! 5k Walk to End Homelessness at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay on Sunday, November 13, 2022. The event attracted over 200 attendees and raised more than $60,000 to support HomeAid San Diego and its programs, funding the organization’s mission to help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build new lives through construction, community engagement and education.
With the help of AvalonBay Communities, who served as the event’s premier sponsor, along with more than 20 other local businesses and organizations, the event raised funds for HomeAid San Diego’s building projects, community outreach and advocacy efforts. For those who were unable to attend in person, the event continues November 14-20 as a virtual 5k in locations throughout the country.
“We are so grateful for the support of so many members of our community who came together to support the mission of HomeAid San Diego,” said Executive Director, Mary Lydon. “It’s going to take a village to mitigate the impacts of homelessness including the private sector, the public sector, foundations, service providers and an army of dedicated volunteers. All were represented here today.”
The event also featured an award ceremony, honoring ten outstanding individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to HomeAid San Diego and to alleviating the suffering of homeless in the San Diego region. Following the walk and award ceremony, attendees were also invited to participate in a complimentary breakfast with a presentation that highlighted HomeAid San Diego’s key accomplishments in the last two decades, including the success of its new Workforce Opportunities for Rebuilding through Knowledge and Skills (WORKS) Program.
Since its launch this spring, HomeAid San Diego has trained and graduated three cohorts of their WORKS construction training program, providing participants with technical construction training, education and job opportunities. The program addresses the critical labor shortage in the home building industry while creating sustainable careers for at-risk youth, men, women and veterans who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness or exiting homelessness.
Event sponsors included AvalonBay Communities, Brookfield Properties, City National Bank, IQHQ, JPI, C&S Companies, Whiting-Turner, Swinerton, Turner Construction, U.S. Bank, Buchalter, Lowe, Delawie, Staci Reidinger Public Relations, GEOCON, Burnham Center for Community Advancement, Nova, Gensler, NAIOP, League of Women Voters, ULI San Diego-Tijuana, Lucky Duck Foundation, PATH and Downtown San Diego Partnership.
For more information about the event, visit https://www.homeaidsd.org/events/homeaidsdwalk2022. To learn more about HomeAid San Diego’s WORKS program, visit https://www.homeaidsd.org/works.
About HomeAid San Diego
Founded in 2002, HomeAid San Diego is a local affiliate of HomeAid America, which includes 19 chapters across the United States that attack the reality of homelessness with a unique and collaborative approach. Through nonprofit housing development, community engagement, advocacy and workforce development, HomeAid improves and expands housing and resources for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the San Diego region.
By bringing together homeless service providers, local builders and trades, national and local resources, and community leaders, HomeAid builds and renovates nonprofit shelters and transitional housing at a reduced cost. Bringing its expertise to at-risk and homeless service providers, HomeAid helps to reduce the time spent on managing a building project allowing these entities to focus on their core work in mitigating homelessness in San Diego County.
For more information, visit https://www.homeaidsd.org