Solidarity As Service: Class VI Participates in Winter Walk for the Homeless

Winter-walk-2022

On March 1, members of Class VI braved the chill and slush to trek two miles in the name of advocacy. Joined by Class I counterparts and a dozen faculty and staff members, Sixies participated in Boston’s Winter Walk—an event that raises both dollars and awareness to combat homelessness throughout Greater Boston.

Students’ march around campus and through the surrounding neighborhoods of West Roxbury was just one part of a larger event that takes place each winter. This year marked the Winter Walk’s sixth annual event, which extends—through walks large and small—throughout the season. During the walk many RL boys wore signs indicating why they walk: “To support people who have less than I do,” “To express kindness and empathy,” and “To spread awareness and be grateful for what I have.”

The Walk is not only a fundraising endeavor, but also an act of solidarity: “This is our chance to link arms with those who experience homelessness and to listen humbly to their stories. It is our chance to show them that this city cares about their lives and to affirm our commitment to do all it takes to ease their struggles,” reads the Walk’s website. West Roxbury residents and RL parents, Jessie and Enrique Colbert P’26, co-chairs of the Winter Walk, brought the idea to the attention of Roxbury Latin in 2021. During a year in which many of RL’s regular community service partnerships and events were unavailable to students, due to COVID restrictions, RL was eager to involve its youngest boys in this meaningful and active service initiative.

The Winter Walk is presented by Boston Medical Center and Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan, and sponsored by many other local businesses. In support of the effort, and in honor of our Class VI walkers, Roxbury Latin made a donation to this year’s Winter Walk, which will be directed to the Pine Street Inn—one of the many shelters the organization serves, as well as a long-time service partner of Roxbury Latin. The Walk brings together a number of Greater Boston’s remarkable homeless service programs to show the powerful work being done in the city.