Impact
2024 "Walking for Legacy" Walkathon
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Go Beyond the Walls in the Philippines!
2023 Year in Review
Backpack Drive (2023)
On July 30th, August 19th, and August 26th, Go Beyond the Walls was able to witness the joy of over 1,000 attendees as they received backpacks and essential supplies for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic journey was truly heartwarming. We are grateful for our collaboration with Jubilee Christian Church for their Summerfest Event and partnering nonprofit organization, El Buen Samaritano, for their Wellness Event provided a foundation for success.
Deep gratitude to our valued partners and esteemed corporate sponsors - Staples, Evergreen Center, HSMC, Target, BJs, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Big Y, Stop and Shop, and Walmart - your unwavering support and contributions made this initiative a resounding success.
Together, we also extend our heartfelt appreciation to every donor who shared in our vision to empower education and pave the way for a brighter future.
Photos in the bottom row are images from El Buen Samaritano's Wellness Event.
Photo 1 (L to R): Go Beyond the Walls founder, Juliet Smith, with Massachusetts State Senator, Robyn Kennedy.
Photo 2 (front row L to R): Jocelyn (Volunteer), Go Beyond the Walls cofounder, Brianna Smith, Go Beyond the Walls founder, Juliet Smith, Johna (Volunteer), (back row L to R): Samantha (Volunteer), Worcester Mayor, Joseph Petty, Go Beyond the Walls Board Member, Jennae Herbert.
Photo 3 (front row L to R): Go Beyond the Walls founder, Juliet Smith, Go Beyond the Walls cofounder, Brianna Smith, El Buen Samaritano Director, Mari Gonzalez, Go Beyond the Walls board member, Jennae Herbert, Jocelyn (Volunteer), Johna (Volunteer), (back row L to R): Bruce (Volunteer), Samantha (Volunteer), Zamayne (Volunteer), Gamael (Volunteer), Cecelia (Volunteer)
"Walking for Legacy" Walkathon
(April 2023)
On Saturday, April 22nd, Go Beyond the Walls hosted their 2nd annual "Walking for Legacy" Walkathon. The proceeds of this year's event went towards the development of our programming and services, specifically the Wisdom Workshop series which will be launching soon.
About 100 attendees came out to our event on a cloudy, cold day, but the smiles and fun atmosphere warmed up everyone's hearts. We were grateful to have news coverage of our event by Milford TV. Feel free to check out the story they were able to run about the walkathon by clicking the button below (Skip ahead to 23:41).
Our event was catered to everyone so we had activities for children as well, including face painting, ran by our amazing volunteers. Thank you to our team of volunteers who showed up early and gave of themselves so every attendee could enjoy the event. We are grateful for you and we are so blessed to have you as a part of our team!
Thank you to everyone who came to the walkathon! We were pleased to see returners from last year's event as well as many new faces. We are able to impact so many more people when we work together so we thank you for helping us assist others, with your tremendous support.
Thank you to our event sponsors, including Heavenly Coverings Painting, Everything Construction, and Testa Carpentry. A special thank you to Jubilee Christian Church and Pastor Wil and Pastor Deborah Bullock for your prayers and support!
Spring Food Drive
(March 2023)
From March 13th to March 17th, Go Beyond the Walls hosted a food drive in collaboration with one of our main partners, Evergreen Center, in Milford, MA. The Evergreen Center is a day and residential program which provides day and residential treatment services for children and adolescents with severe developmental disabilities. Thank you, Evergreen Center, for your support towards our mission and for your commitment in improving the lives of women and children in our community!
On Monday, March 27th, Go Beyond the Walls directors and volunteers picked up food drive items from Evergreen Center. We were so grateful and overwhelmed by the generosity of Evergreen and their staff. We received hundreds of nonperishable foods, paper towel, toilet paper, toiletries, laundry products, and feminine hygiene products. Thanks to the generosity of this organization, we have been able to distribute the items received to some of our clients, and distribute the remainder to local food pantries within our community!
Christmas Angel Tree/Gift Drive
(December 2022)
Every child deserves to have a great Christmas! Go Beyond the Walls recognizes that during the holiday season, some parents struggle to be able to provide gifts for their family. Gifts are important for children because they serve as a sign of love and belonging. While Christmas is not about gifts, it's important that women are able to feel security in knowing that their children's wish list will be fulfilled.
This year, Go Beyond the Walls was contacted by several mothers, hoping to receive assistance for their children for Christmas. These requests were granted and the children's gifts were purchased, wrapped, and distributed to the parents. There was such a surplus of gifts left over that additional gifts were given to the children aside from what was on their wish list. After, the gifts that remained were donated to Pernet Family Health Service, to distribute to families with the same need.
Thank you to our generous donors and community leaders for your committment to meeting the needs of the families in Worcester County at Christmastime!
Cozy Drive
(November 2022)
Did you know that in the past year, the unhoused population in Worcester has grown 43%?
Over 500 individuals are without a place to call home, just within the city. Now, just imagine all of the towns encompassing Worcester County put together. That leaves thousands of unhoused individuals and we don't know in what direction the statistics will change as we head into the winter months.
Along with the many struggles that unhoused individuals face, the one that leads to many setbacks in the winter season is the cold. Warmth is something that many of us take for granted but there are several who endure hard days and nights without basics to keep them warm.
Go Beyond the Walls, determined to alleviate this issue, launched a Winter Cozy Drive that collected over 1000 items including socks, scarves, hats and gloves.
Thank you to our generous donors and community leaders who are committed to meeting the needs of Worcester County residents!
This year's donations went to Pernet Family Health Service, a family centered, resource-rich partner in the development of strong, healthy, and self-sufficient families and individuals who participate actively in community life.
Thank you to Pernet Family Health Service for your partnership and your commitment to support families within Worcester County.
Backpack and School Supplies Drive
(August 2022)
Thanks to our amazing volunteers, donors, partners, and corporate sponsors, we were able to donate over 400 backpacks and school supplies to children in need throughout Worcester County!
A special thank you to our corporate sponsors, Pre-Owned Auto Logistics (left), Evergreen Center (middle), and Human Services Management Corporation (right).
"Walking for Legacy" 4-Mile Walkathon
(April 2022)
Thank you to each attendee, donor, and supporter for making our first annual "Walking for Legacy" Walkathon possible!
We are so grateful to our board members and our volunteers for the hard work they put in and the time they sacrificed to make this event a huge success! Together, we were able to further spread awareness about our organization and about the injustices facing members of our community.
Thank you to our sponsor, Heavenly Coverings Painting, and thank you to our partners, Evergreen Center and Human Services Management Corporation (HSMC).
In recognition of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we honored each of our amazing volunteers and held a volunteer appreciation luncheon to celebrate and thank them for their hard work.
Thank you to our photographer, Marcia Sharpe, for capturing these moments.
Spring Food Drive
(March 2022)
The pandemic has brought the plight of food insecurity to the forefront. In March 2022, we collected over 2,000 pounds of food. Thank you to Evergreen Center, HSMC, and our community members for your commitment to meeting the needs of those in our community who are challenged on a daily basis!
We are blessed to have a community with big hearts!
Christmas Toy Drive
(December 2021)
Your partnership matters!
Thank you, Evergreen Center, for your partnership in our Christmas Toy Drive! Together, we provided over $2,000 worth of toys to children in our community. Your overwhelming generosity brought smiles to children's faces on Christmas Day!
Thank you, Milford High School National Honor Society students (pictured center) for your enthusiastic service. We couldn't do this work without volunteers like you!
Holiday Open House
(December 2021)
Thank you to our generous supporters! During our Holiday Open House, you purchased and donated food items and beautiful gift baskets to give to displaced women in homeless shelters.
Thank you to our Milford High School National Honor Society volunteers (pictured right) for baking and decorating Christmas cookies for displaced children.
Did You Know...
10.3%
of households in Worcester County are food insecure.
70%
of family domestic violence victims are girls.
80%
of the 71 million people displaced from their home are women and children.
