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City to sponsor 'Walk in the Shoes of the Unsheltered' and proclaim Homelessness Awareness Month
Summary
The council was asked to support an October 'Walk in the Shoes of the Unsheltered' event and to present a proclamation recognizing Homelessness Awareness Month; Community Development offered up to $2,000 in sponsorship and staff said the event aims to raise awareness and support services.
City staff and community partners asked the council to support the Odessa Homeless Coalition’s 'Walk in the Shoes of the Unsheltered' scheduled for Oct. 11 and to present a proclamation designating October as Homelessness Awareness Month. Nyron (Community Development) said the city will sponsor the walk and provide up to $2,000 to assist event costs. The event will begin at the Ector County Library and conclude at Family Promise of Odessa, 1354 E. Sixth Street. Nyron said preventing homelessness and raising awareness is one of the department’s mandated national objectives. Jesus Gomez, lead for the Odessa Homeless Coalition and a representative of Odessa Links, outlined the walk’s purpose: to illustrate the daily journeys many unsheltered individuals make to access food, shelter and services and to highlight gaps in resources for youth and the elderly. Gomez said the walk aims to generate support, funding and alternatives for people who currently congregate at public spaces like libraries. Council members thanked the coalition volunteers and staff and indicated support for the awareness effort. Staff said a proclamation will be presented on Sept. 23 recognizing October as Homelessness Awareness Month and invited council members to participate in the October event.
