Students and Community Walk to Spotlight Homelessness, Urge Action
Northwestern Michigan College students and community members held the 10th annual guided walk for Health and Housing on November 19, drawing attention to the growing needs of people experiencing homelessness in downtown Traverse City. The 90 minute tour highlighted where residents seek help and underscored public health, housing, and social equity gaps that affect local families and neighbors.
On November 19, Northwestern Michigan College students and community members gathered at Central United Methodist Church for the 10th annual guided walk for Health and Housing, a 90 minute tour through downtown Traverse City that aimed to bring lived experience and outreach knowledge into campus learning. The walk was led by longtime outreach advocate Ryan Hannon and visited sites where people experiencing homelessness frequently seek assistance, including the Government Center, Union Street Bridge, and Jubilee House.
Organizers said the event is intended to raise awareness and encourage informed community responses to rising need. For students, the walk offered a chance to see the realities of homelessness beyond classroom study and to better understand how systems of care operate on the street. Community members who participated included service providers, neighbors, and volunteers who work with shelters and outreach programs.
The event has public health implications for Grand Traverse County as winter weather increases risk for cold related illness and as people living outdoors face barriers to primary care, medication maintenance, and mental health treatment. Congregate shelter capacity, access to mobile health services, and connections to long term housing are critical components of a comprehensive response. Gaps in affordable housing and in the coordination of health and social services contribute to persistent visibility of homelessness in downtown areas.
The walk also highlights questions of equity and policy that affect local decision making. As housing costs and demand shift regionally, community leaders will need to weigh investments in emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and community based health services. Strengthening partnerships between colleges, faith based organizations, local government, and health systems can expand outreach and reduce barriers to care for people with chronic illness, substance use disorders, and other complex needs.
By bringing students and residents into direct contact with outreach routes and service points, the annual walk seeks to move public concern toward practical solutions that prioritize health, dignity, and long term stability for everyone in Grand Traverse County.
