Why Poverty exist in Virginia
With a poverty rate of 9.5%, Virginia has the 8th lowest poverty rate in the United States. This is just slightly better than the poverty rate of Delaware, and just slightly higher than the poverty rate of Maryland.
Since critical poverty rates occur in both rural and urban areas of Virginia, it is important to cover both to understand why each area is prone to such severe poverty.

In rural areas, when the most critical poverty rates are all isolated into a specific area like they are in southern Virginia, this can cause a negative stigma to begin being associated with the area.

This negative stigma can make the region an unattractive place for expanding businesses, teachers and health care professionals. As in the case of Virginia, there seems to be a trend of two major problems, these are that the cost of living is too high, and the wages in the area are too low and basic items cost more than what a minimum-wage job can afford, pockets of poverty seem to be on the rise.
Unfortunately, critical rates of both rural and urban poverty are widespread throughout the state. There are 22 counties and 10 major cities experiencing critical poverty rates in Virginia.

What is Being Done about Poverty in Virginia
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that many children live with these families living in poverty, in the last six months alone, Nation Children has served over 600 children living with low income families in Virginia and Maryland.

In rural areas of Virginia, organizations such as the Capital area food bank of which Nation Children is a member gives emergency food and clothing assistance respectively to such families with referrals from the department of human services, however these are short term solutions. We need to fight for a higher minimum wage will make it easier for individuals to sustain themselves and their families without federal assistance.
Provide an avenue for job training and placement that will allow income eligible families to advance themselves

Our Call
By joining Nation Children’s sponsored walk, you are adding your voice to state legislators to raise the minimum wage. You are helping us raise funds for emergency shelters in Virginia and our response to emergency food and clothing whiles using the opportunity to challenge yourself, your family and friends to a 10 km walk and a wonderful way of spending time and having fun with them.

Where?
The walk will be based in Reston/Herndon (Virginia) and full details will be given in the event pack sent to you after your registration. The event will end at the Lake Anne Pavilion Park where you will have the opportunity to help give away free food and clothing to the needy. There will be great activities and music for all.

Who can take part in Just Walk?
The walk is open to anyone of any ability. As long as you’re up for the charity challenge and willing to raise your target sponsorship, then this is for you. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult or guardian.

How much do I need to raise?
That’s up to you. That’s the great thing!
As you will be paying all the costs, every penny you fundraise goes to your charity. Speak to your charity and ask them about recommended targets if you are unsure how much you should aim to raise. On your event pack we will ask you to set yourself a personal target.

How does the money work?
One very special thing about Just Walk is that all of the money you raise will go to your charity. Your event fee will cover ALL the event costs. Every penny you raise will go into emergency food, clothing and job training assistance.
What if I am a group of 10 or more from an organization or company, please contact Wendy
publicrelations@nationchildren.org

Will I be supported?
Before Just Walk, the event organizers, Nation Children, will give you loads of information and training support. We will provide you with all the information you need about the event and we are always just a phone call away. During the event we will provide all snacks, emergency medical support, walking guides and full event facilities, and you will receive a free (and exclusive) event t-shirt.
Snacks will be freely available at the start and at some rest stations, as well as plenty of water and snacks along the walk.

How Do I Join?
When you call us, we will send out to you a fundraising form asking people to challenge you to a certain distance of walk. They will give you small donations to do the walk and sign the form for you. This form along with the money should be sent to Nation Children and you can do this either in person or by mail. This will be your official registration to participate in the event. We will then send you a confirmation package.

Vendors
To be a vendor, call 866 533 6629 ext 102 or email marketing@nationchildren.org