Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh’s 27th Annual Walk for Housing, held in partnership with Mount Saint Mary College, raised critical funds and awareness for affordable homeownership on Sunday, April 26.
Themed “Building Tomorrow Starts at Home,” the walk drew participants from across the Hudson Valley. The route began and ended at the Mount’s Kaplan Family Mathematics, Science and Technology Center (MST), taking walkers through the historic streets of the City of Newburgh.
This year’s Walk for Housing T-shirts, worn by participants and volunteers, were designed by Mount senior Issiah Figueroa of Newburgh, N.Y.
The event highlighted Habitat Newburgh’s long-standing impact on the community, showcasing past accomplishments and current build sites.
“Mount Saint Mary College and Habitat have had a long and strong relationship,” said Fr. Gregoire Fluet, vice president for mission and ministry at the Mount. “Habitat and you all here, in so many ways, live the words of scripture: ‘I was hungry and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me to drink, naked and you gave me clothes, alone and you visited me.’”
The partnership between the two organizations dates back to 1999, when the Mount community helped fund and build a Habitat home in memory of student Julie Sager. Most recently, the college donated two properties at 417 and 419 Liberty Street, located directly behind the campus, for the construction of new Habitat homes. Mount students, faculty, and alumni continue to partner with Habitat through Build Day events to move these projects toward completion.
“As a proud Mount alumna now working with Habitat, it’s incredibly moving to see these two communities I love come together for such a critical cause,” said Nyla Pichardo ’24, Resource Development Manager at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. “Every step taken on this walk brings us closer to ensuring that more families in our city have a safe, stable place to call home. This event isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about the power of partnership and the lasting impact we can make when we walk side by side with our neighbors.”
Sponsors of this year’s Habitat Greater Newburgh Walk for Housing included AHC, Leprechaun Lines, Stewart’s Shops, Walden Savings Bank, Vail’s Gate United Methodist Church, Habitat Newburgh volunteer Robert Persing, Heritage Financial Credit Union, Knights of Columbus - Msgr. Henry O’Carroll Council #444, Kiwanis Club of Newburgh, Eclipse Solar Control Products, and St. James Episcopal Church, Goshen, N.Y.