Boston, March 28, 2026 — More than 3,500 people walked through the Boston Common on Sunday, March 22, for the 10th annual Boston Winter Walk — a citywide event bringing communities together to raise awareness and funds to end homelessness. Twenty-six nonprofit partners participated this year, each rallying their own networks to support the cause.

For the first time, the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP) was among them. Over 100 people from across Boston’s Ignatian and Jesuit community registered to walk with our “Jesuit Family & Friends Team” — from schools, parishes, retreat and spirituality centers, as well as volunteer programs. Seeing that many people show up on a chilly Sunday morning to join a citywide effort on behalf of people experiencing homelessness is exactly the kind of thing that keeps our mission going strong.

One Hundred Walkers, One Mission

Our tent near the starting line quickly became a gathering point. BC High students stood alongside Boston College Clough School theology students and Cristo Rey Boston students. Representatives from the Eastern Point Retreat House were there too. Young and old, the connections kept surfacing. As Christine Curran, ISP’s executive director, described it: “We talk about the Ignatian family all the time, but on Sunday you could actually see it — everyone together, all walking for the same reason.”

Glenn Haff and Eddie Lewis, ISP alumni and Ambassadors of Hope, were at our tent greeting students, parishioners and others throughout the morning. Glenn found ISP years ago through a business card on a church bulletin board in Boston. Eddie was invited to a retreat by a friend in recovery — and was so struck by the story of St. Ignatius that he saw his own life in it. On Sunday, they were both doing what Ambassadors do: welcoming people into ISP’s circle and carrying the mission forward.

“The dedication, commitment, and compassion displayed on the Common confirms my belief in, and hope for, the work of ISP in Boston,” Glenn said, “as we reach out to our brothers and sisters struggling with homelessness and addiction.”

Why We Walked

The two-mile route looped around the Boston Common, stretching walkers into a long line visible from blocks away. The energy was high despite the cold and damp. For our Ignatian family, it all pointed to the same thing — a community united in spirit, showing up for their neighbors. But each person who joined the Walk had their own story and reason for being there.

“Every Thursday after school, BC High students head into downtown Boston for outreach to people on the street,” said Fr. Jim Croghan, SJ, superior of the Jesuit community at BC High. “Taking part in the Winter Walk along with the extended Ignatian family helps the students see the wide range of committed folks working to end homelessness.”

Jen Bader, associate dean for academic affairs at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, noted that “ISP’s mission of Ignatian spiritual accompaniment of those recovering from homelessness and addiction inspired students from the Clough School to walk in solidarity.”

Brian Maher, president of Nativity Prep, described how the walk gave his students a chance to “actively engage in addressing the housing crisis that affects their city.” Xavier Melo, an eighth grader who walked with his entire family — including three brothers who all graduated from Nativity Prep and BC High — put it simply: “This was awesome. Nativity should join this every year!”

Nativity Prep students looking ahead to BC High. BC High kids looking ahead to Boston College. FJVs (former Jesuit volunteers), retreat house staff, and parishioners who had been doing this work for years. All walking the same loop, united as men and women for others.

What’s Next

The walk raised funds for ISP retreats and spiritual care programs, and we’re grateful for the generosity of everyone who walked, donated, and shared our mission.

The donation page will remain open through March 31. We’re getting close to our fundraising goal for Boston — if you’d like to help us get there, or share the link with someone who couldn’t make it to the Common, there’s still time. Help us reach our goal.

“The Winter Walk is a wonderful way to gather people who care deeply about those experiencing homelessness in their city and want to do something about it,” said executive director Christine Curran. “We were delighted to bring the Jesuit and Ignatian communities in Boston together in support of this important cause.”

We’ll be back on the Boston Common next year. If you walked with us, thank you. If you didn’t, we hope you’ll join our “Jesuit Friends & Family” team next year!