Walk for the Homeless 2025

On Sunday, September 21st, Mission Waco hosted the 19th annual Walk for the Homeless, providing participants with the opportunity to hear from 14 local non-profits that offer services to neighbors experiencing homelessness. This educational prayer walk implemented a reference to scripture at each stop and called on the group to join in prayer together, asking for God’s provision of fulfilling needs and deliverance from suffering in our community. Throughout the walk, many preconceived myths about the experience of homelessness in our community were dismantled by the non-profit leaders who provided a more accurate understanding of how our neighbors find themselves in a state of need. The walk emphasizes the need for more compassion in our community so that we serve others the way God intends us to, with open hearts and open minds. 

This event brought together a great group, including local college students, the McLennan Community College President, families, and even folks who have personally used the resources presented during the walk that are part of the Waco community. 

Why are you walking today? 

“It's nice to see Waco and what it includes for everyone. Before this, I didn’t know there was all of this offered in Downtown Waco. Anyone can access it.” -MCC nursing student

“To learn about parts of our communities that we never get to see. By walking, we are learning and listening to how we can help and spread this information to other people.”        - McLennan Community College bioelectrical engineering student 

“Every year since it began, we have been coming to support the homeless. We invite our students, faculty, and staff to come as a group, and we buy them a t-shirt if they want to join.”  -Dr. Johnette McKown, President of McLennan Community College 

The walk started at Mission Waco’s Meyer Center, where the goal is to empower people, regardless of the stigmas or financial challenges they face, by providing them with access to essential services, including health care, job training, shelter, clothing, and even legal assistance. An exciting announcement about the opening of Creekside Community Village was also spotlighted at the start of the walk. This project allows anyone the chance to partner with Mission Waco to help provide low-cost permanent supportive housing to the homeless in McLennan County. If you are interested in finding out more, please visit https://missionwaco.org/creekside-community-development/. 

Another stop included hearing from Ann Owen, who serves as the Executive Director of Caritas of Waco and has been involved in this non-profit for 11 years! Their organization's mission is to provide urgent support to people in need in the Waco community. 

“We were honored to be asked to be one of the stops. It's wonderful to see all the people who care for those in our community who are suffering. People don't realize how many people in our community are homeless. It means a lot to see so many people here and speak to them about Caritas. We are so thankful for Mission Waco and everything they do for our community. We also could not do what we do without volunteers. 

When asked about what she wished people knew about Caritas…”We offer more than just food pantry services. Caritas Waco not only needs help with food donations but also hygiene products, including feminine hygiene products. There is a great need here in our Waco community. We love serving our neighbors, but we could not do what we do without the support of others. We have between 250-300 new families right now; many are working but can’t make ends meet.” 

God calls us to care for one another and love our neighbors well. You never know what a stranger at the grocery store is going through behind closed doors or what life circumstances lead to someone being unable to provide for themselves or their family. 

 This loving philosophy was demonstrated at The Family Abuse Center, which seeks to eliminate domestic violence throughout central Texas. Ambie Heltonberg is the Legal Outreach Coordinator for the Family Abuse Center, gave insight into the challenges domestic violence victims face and how we can support their mission:

“Domestic Violence is complex. They experience homelessness, alcohol, and drug addiction. We wanted to be a part of the Walk for the Homeless because you never know who this is affecting. Our organization is always looking for community partners, whether that's through donations or volunteers. Being compassionate goes a long way.” 

At each stop, we were faced with the recurring questions: 

How can we be more compassionate to the strangers we interact with daily? 

How might God be calling us to challenge our pre-conceived notions of how a person finds themselves in a situation of facing homelessness? 

         What hope do you have for our city after going on this walk?

“I hope more people will realize how cool it is to be the hands and feet of Jesus and that we get to share all these resources with so many amazing, beautiful humans, as they are all daughters and brothers of Christ.” - Baylor Master of Social Work student 

“For the number of homeless people to lower”- McLennan Community College student 

          What are some takeaways from this walk? 

“I didn't realize how many non-profits and organizations are making strides to end homelessness in Waco. I didn't know they existed. It's been cool to build my awareness and know how to get involved.” -Baylor University Undergraduate student 

“There are so many organizations mobilized for the same mission, which is really encouraging to see. This is also convincing because I've seen so many ways to get involved.” -Baylor University Undergraduate student 

After hearing from leaders at 14 different non-profits working hands-on in our Waco community, the group concluded its service at Church Under the Bridges' 33rd anniversary worship service. Baylor University President Linda Livingstone was the guest speaker, and she came along with the First Gent Brad with her Daughter, Shelby. It was such a special and heartwarming way to end the walk: worshipping the way God intended us to, by coming together as one body of Christ, rather than letting our socioeconomic status or prejudices divide us from one another. 

We hope to see you next year at Mission Waco’s walk for the homeless! But until then, to learn more about how you can help serve your neighbors who are in need, please visit the websites listed below. Each non-profit needs more support and volunteers from our community to help them fulfill their mission of loving and serving all our neighbors. 

You never know the difference YOU can make in someone's life! 

   Click on the Link Below to Learn More About Each Non-Profit Organization that was Featured During this Year's Walk! 

https://linktr.ee/MissionWaco_WalkForTheHomeless