The 10th Annual Walk for CommUNITY
November 8, 2009
The Walk for CommUNITY symbolizes the solidarity of our Arkansas community, whose different sectors are working together to build communities where every person is valued, every voice is heard and everyone has a fair chance to succeed.
Funds raised through this event are used to support existing programs and implement new programs for our state’s youth, adult and community leaders. JCA reaches young people in 5th-12th grades with numerous youth leadership programs aimed at breaking down barriers, eliminating stereotyping and building respect in our communities. Our middle and high school programs, Teentown and Unitown, help student leaders identify and address the stereotypes and biases we often have about people whose gender, religion, race, ethnicity, socio-economic conditions or sexual orientation are different from our own. Delegates return to their schools as Ambassadors of Inclusion, better equipped to break down barriers and promote understanding among the different groups in their school communities. Minitown, our elementary school program, is a half day anti-bullying program that teaches students how to identify the different types of bullying while teaching them constructive ways to respond to bullying wherever they are. To learn more about our programming, visit our Programs page.
Over 1,000 people participated in Just Communities of Arkansas’ 10th Annual Walk for CommUNITY, raising over $38,000 to support and expand our programming.
The truly amazing and gifted children in the Mabelvale African Drum & Groove Ensemble entertained the crowd as Walk participants gathered at the River Market pavilions to start our celebration. The North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council painted the faces of our younger Walkers, while members of the Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Council supervised the side-walk chalk and bubble blowing. Clowns from Central High School and mimes from Parkview Arts Science Magnet High School delighted the crowd with their costumes and friendly interactions. Music from all generations and genres played while Walkers visited with friends, old and new. Over 60 groups formed teams for the 2009 Walk for CommUNITY. Teams represented schools, corporations, faith-based organizations and other not for profit groups.
The opening ceremony was led by Walk Chairs Patty Barker and Kareem Moody, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, State Representative Kathy Webb, Little Rock Fire Chief Gregory Summers, North Little Rock Fire Chief Robert Mauldin, North Little Rock Police Chief Danny Bradley, Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas, JCA Board Chair Dr. Susan Weinstein and JCA’s Executive Director, Ruth Shepherd.
Following the ceremony, walkers followed a one-mile path over the Main Street Bridge to North Little Rock and then back to the Little Rock River Market pavilions for a post-Walk celebration with refreshments, music, entertainment and even more fun!
We plan to Walk again in 2010 and we will have information posted here as we have it. Until then, to learn more about the Walk or to become a sponsor of the 2010 event, contact Mallory Jewell at the JCA office today!