Walkers today bring attention to homelessness

YOUNGSTOWN

Some 50 participants in the annual Homelessness Awareness Walk started from the Commons at Madison Avenue to the Help Hotline Crisis Center's headquarters on 5th Avenue at 8:30 a.m.

Vince Brancaccio, chief executive officer of the crisis center that hosted the event, said the walk had a significance to begin on the first of December to raise awareness about the harsh weather many without shelter have to endure during the winter.

The walk also was the kick-off for the center's Cold Weather Emergency Shelter Program that provides shelter to homeless people from December to March.