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Ohio State, Georgia tied at No. 3; Florida to 7th

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Institute Insights: Northeastern PA’s own version of a barn raising

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The streets of Wilkes-Barre played host to a walk for a cause on Sunday, as the 12th annual Ruth&#8217;s Place Walk for Hope showcased many of the great women&#8217;s resources available in the city.</p><p>The mile-long walk took travelers past places like the Salvation Army, United Way of Wyoming Valley and many other spots that are essential to the fight against homelessness and as aids for women struggling to find a home. Despite a little rain, there was a large turnout as citizens and volunteers took the walk, starting and ending at the Volunteers of America site on River Street.</p><p>&#8220;We walk to raise awareness and support for women who are experiencing homelessness,&#8221; said Jodina Hicks, the executive director of Volunteers of America Pennsylvania.</p><p>Hicks added that the fundraiser was so crucial because of defunding that they, as well as homeless shelters around the country, are experiencing.</p><p>All of the proceeds from the event, generated by food and raffle sales, are going straight to Volunteers of America and Ruth&#8217;s Place to strengthen their ability to provide shelter for homeless women.</p><p>&#8220;Ruth&#8217;s Place is the only women&#8217;s shelter in Luzerne County,&#8221; Hicks said.</p><p>In addition to the walk, a resource fair was also held with multiple agencies from around Luzerne County representing themselves and offering further information to aid struggling victims of homelessness, drug addiction and more.</p><p>The speaker of note for the event was Susan Major, a former resident of Ruth&#8217;s Place. Major&#8217;s three sons were killed in an arson at her Laflin home in 2017.</p><p>In addition to the tragic loss of her sons, Major was also left homeless. She was able to find shelter and start to put her life back together at Ruth&#8217;s Place.</p><p>She even was partially responsible for a rule change at the shelter, which now allows service dogs to stay with their owners.</p><p>&#8220;My message to you is to never give up,&#8221; Major said in her speech. &#8220;I not only had the support of the staff, but also the support of the other women in the shelter.&#8221;</p><p>Volunteers from the Salvation Army, Geisinger and King&#8217;s and Wilkes were on hand to ensure that the event ran smoothly.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">A group of walkers from Geisinger at the Ruth&#8217;s Place Walk for Hope on Sunday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_Walk-For-Hope.jpg</photo0><caption0>A group of walkers from Geisinger at the Ruth&#8217;s Place Walk for Hope on Sunday. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Kevin Carroll</p><p>kcarroll@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Ruth’s Place Walk for Hope highlights resources for women