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St. John’s walks for the homeless

St. John’s University will have its annual “Walk for the Homeless” on Friday, April 22 to raise awareness about the harsh reality of homelessness in New York City.

Each night thousands of unsheltered homeless people sleep in the city’s streets, subway stations and other public places. According to “Coalition for the Homeless,” homelessness is New York City has reached a level that has not been matched since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

A record 113,553 people slept in homeless shelters across New York in 2010 – up 9 percent from the previous year. In February 2011 alone, there were 39,500 homeless people sleeping each night in shelters across the city.

This year, the University’s 5K walk is part of “Love Like This is Possible,” a program which includes community service initiatives during the 40 days of Lent.

The walk, held on Good Friday each year, is sponsored by the University’s Office of Campus Ministry and St. Vincent DePaul Society. Participants will begin with a 9 a.m. prayer service in St. Thomas More Church, after which they will walk from the University’s campus down Union Turnpike to American Martyrs Church. The solidarity walk will end with a return back to the University and a light lunch.