Saturday’s walk/run will raise funds to provide services for the city’s homeless population

On Saturday, April 26, Waltham outdoor enthusiasts can raise funds for the Community Day Center of Waltham by participating in the nonprofit’s first-ever walk/run road race. The race takes place in Prospect Hill Park. 

The CDCW is the only drop-in day center for unhoused people in the Metrowest region. “We provide day shelter and support services and strive to create a safe, judgment-free culture that is grounded in hospitality, compassion and mutual respect,” said Chloe-Rose Crouch, director of operations at CDCW. 

The road race is a new addition to the CDCW’s annual campaign, Mission MetroWest: A Mile A Day in April. Mission MetroWest is a virtual exercise challenge to raise money for CDCW. Participants take on the challenge of walking or running a mile a day through the month of April. Participants raise money by asking friends and family to sponsor them to take on the challenge. Last year Mission MetroWest raised almost $15,000.

“This year we decided to mix things up by adding the in-person road race,” Crouch explained. “This came about because those taking on the mile-a-day challenge wanted a chance to walk or run their mile in community. We also wanted to get people involved in the campaign who weren’t ready to walk a mile each day, but could commit to just one day.” The event’s goal is to raise $20,000 this year.

How to participate

Participants raise money for the CDCW by asking friends and family to sponsor their walk/run. 

After the road race on Saturday, participants can raise even more funds by having lunch or dinner at Not Your Average Joe’s in Waltham or Watertown. The restaurant will donate 20% of their bill to the CDCW.

Those participating in the road race can run or walk and choose a distance of 1 mile or 5 kilometers. The race is accessible for all fitness levels. Participants should arrive at Prospect Hill Park by 8 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. start. The rain date is Sunday, April 27.

Those interested in participating can register here.

Meeting the needs of a growing unhoused population

The CDCW provides hot lunch for 50 people each weekday, a night program providing 20 people with a place to sleep each night from December to April, free showers and laundry services and nurse visits to the center twice a week. The center also offers one-on-one case management and substance use recovery programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART recovery.

“Last year alone, we placed 28 chronically unhoused people into long-term, stable housing,” Crouch said. 

The CDCW launched the Mission MetroWest fundraiser because of an increase in need for its services. “Our numbers at the center have gone up, and we are unable to accommodate everyone who seeks case management services,” Crouch said. The center’s one full-time case manager sees over 120 clients. It needs to hire a second case manager to meet the growing need in Waltham. 

“We hope Mission MetroWest will get us there,” Crouch said.