Singer and songwriter Jewel hosted the Fannie Mae Foundation Help the Homeless Walkathon Saturday on the National Mall, which thousands of walkers and more than 40 GW students attended.
Jewel spoke before the walk about her experiences with homelessness. She said her perspective on life changed instantaneously in her late teens when she lost her job and lived in a car for a year.
In an interview with The Hatchet, Jewel said she was hosting the walkathon to offer hope to people in similar situations.
"Every day gave me hope to live on. People can help and want to help, and it is an empowering feeling," she said. "Any means of maintaining hope and self-pride allows for opportunity rather than depletion.
"And it is for this reason that it is important that people take even the smallest measures to assist," she added.
The walkathon's goal was to raise awareness and funds for preventing and ultimately eliminating homelessness. The event ends National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week, which is the second week in November.
The funds raised from the Walkathon - along with those raised from other events including a 5k run - directly support 180 D.C.-area organizations which combat homelessness. Last year, over $7.8 million was raised, and the Fannie Mae Foundation hopes to accumulate as much money, if not more this year.
"Today we have a fabulous turnout and wonderful weather, encouraging a united metropolitan area, dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness," said Lessie Powell-Evans, spokesperson for the Fannie Mae Foundation.
In addition to raising funds, Powell-Evans said another goal was raising awareness of this social problem. She said that contrary to common knowledge, homelessness affects families and children.
"It is a lot more than single men living on the street with crates and suitcases," she said.
Students said the issue of homelessness is important to them because it's something they see every day around the campus and in surrounding areas. On average, more than 12,000 people in the Washington area are homeless, which includes those staying in shelters or living in transitional housing.
Jewel spoke before the walk about her experiences with homelessness. She said her perspective on life changed instantaneously in her late teens when she lost her job and lived in a car for a year.
In an interview with The Hatchet, Jewel said she was hosting the walkathon to offer hope to people in similar situations.
"Every day gave me hope to live on. People can help and want to help, and it is an empowering feeling," she said. "Any means of maintaining hope and self-pride allows for opportunity rather than depletion.
"And it is for this reason that it is important that people take even the smallest measures to assist," she added.
The walkathon's goal was to raise awareness and funds for preventing and ultimately eliminating homelessness. The event ends National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week, which is the second week in November.
The funds raised from the Walkathon - along with those raised from other events including a 5k run - directly support 180 D.C.-area organizations which combat homelessness. Last year, over $7.8 million was raised, and the Fannie Mae Foundation hopes to accumulate as much money, if not more this year.
"Today we have a fabulous turnout and wonderful weather, encouraging a united metropolitan area, dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness," said Lessie Powell-Evans, spokesperson for the Fannie Mae Foundation.
In addition to raising funds, Powell-Evans said another goal was raising awareness of this social problem. She said that contrary to common knowledge, homelessness affects families and children.
"It is a lot more than single men living on the street with crates and suitcases," she said.
Students said the issue of homelessness is important to them because it's something they see every day around the campus and in surrounding areas. On average, more than 12,000 people in the Washington area are homeless, which includes those staying in shelters or living in transitional housing.
