ATASCADERO — ECHO (El Camino Homeless Organization) will host its 15th annual Long Walk Home fundraiser at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the ECHO Atascadero campus, 6370 Atascadero Ave.
The community event raises funds and awareness for ECHO’s programs supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness throughout San Luis Obispo County.
The event will begin with a walk from ECHO to Atascadero City Hall, led by the Atascadero High School band. The walk represents the often long and difficult journey people experiencing homelessness face as they work toward stability and a place to call home.
Participants will return to ECHO for a community celebration featuring a barbecue lunch, live music and opportunities to connect with ECHO staff, supporters and other community members.
Funds raised through Long Walk Home support ECHO’s programs in Atascadero and Paso Robles, including emergency shelter, nightly meals, individualized case management, outreach, showers, laundry, workforce development and other services designed to help individuals and families overcome barriers to stable housing.
“More than 25 local homeowners are currently waiting for help through our Home Preservation/Aging in Place program,” said Dawn Smith, CEO of Habitat SLO. “They are waiting for critical repairs and safety improvements that can help them remain safely in their homes. We need our community’s support to raise the funds necessary to serve more of these homeowners. Home Sweet Home is a fun way to be part of that effort.”
This year’s event comes as ECHO celebrates 25 years of serving San Luis Obispo County and opens its Balay Ko Family Resource Center, expanding the organization’s ability to serve families with children experiencing homelessness.
Tickets are $45 per person, while children attend free. Registration includes participation in the awareness walk, a commemorative Long Walk Home T-shirt, barbecue lunch and live music.
Registration and additional information are available at ECHOShelter.org