Fundraising events take various forms, and the Sojourner Truth House in Gary recently held one such event. Titled ‘Walk for Stability. Walk for Community. Walk for Hope.’, this endeavor was a short stroll around Gary, organized on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Angela Paul, the executive director, and Pam King, the director of client services, welcomed attendees before the start of the walk. Volunteer coordinator, Airiel Crenshaw, noted the critical dollars raised through peer-to-peer fundraising, both online and in-person. This event marked its 29th anniversary.
The Sojourner Truth House serves as a day center, offering resources to at-risk women and their children. The walk aimed to raise awareness and support for those transitioning from crisis to stability. Crenshaw emphasized that participants, by walking, donating, or forming teams, help provide vital resources such as housing support, food access, case management, and healing programs.
This year, over 200 walkers attended the event, circling the neighborhood around the facility. Gary resident Mary Turner, a regular participant, expressed the importance of supporting the center. Founded in 1997 by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, the house acts as a haven of hospitality, recovery, advocacy, and housing.
Members of the Dedicated Strong Women of Embassies of Christ set up an information table during the event. Pictured were Lola Holden, Ava Marshall-Ligon, Sherrie Greer, and Vernell Anderson. Sister Kathleen Quinn, one of the founders, expressed her happiness at the turnout, highlighting the inspirational support for Sojourner Truth House.
The walk featured community members, families, and local organizations. Sherrie Greer remarked on the importance of the Sojourner Truth House as a community staple.
Sojourner Truth, originally named Isabella Baumfree, was a prominent Black abolitionist and women’s rights activist. Born in 1797 in New York, she overcame enslavement and worked towards freedom and justice. Her legacy lives on in Gary’s Sojourner Truth House, which promotes social justice and equality.
The 1.1-mile route of the walk was marked with cheer stations to encourage participants. The event concluded with a time of fellowship featuring refreshments, music, and opportunities to connect with local vendors and organizations. The walk symbolized community support and the collective belief in creating pathways to hope and stability.
Crenshaw highlighted that proceeds from the event directly support the programs at the facility, reflecting a compassionate community walking alongside individuals and families as they rebuild their lives.