Kobe Bryant (Cecilia Hua)

More than ten thousand runners and walkers gathered in the Exposition Park in downtown Los Angeles, participating in the a 5k aimed at ending homelessness. It was the 7th Annual Home Walk, hosted by United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

Many were drawn to the scene to see Kobe Bryant. The Lakers star and event’s Honorary Chair for the third straight year addressed the participants. He also gave the official start to the runners and walkers with his wife Vanessa Bryant.

“We just continue and continue to grow and raise awareness for eradicating homelessness,” said Kobe, “The most important thing, the thing that units all of us, is that we can inspire and challenge one another to be better and to do something great for each other.”

The United Way of Greater Los Angeles raises funds and awareness by hosting the HomeWalks which mobilizing nearly 50,000 walkers. They work in conjunction with organizations such as Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to raise over $4 million and moved 14,000 into permanent housing. The goal is to end chronic homelessness by 2016. There are 58,423 homeless people in Los Angeles County; 12% are veterans, 26% chronically homeless and 43% are unsheltered.

“It’s one of those problems that people think it’s so big and we can’t solve it, but really we can. We are here to help end this piece chronic and veteran homelessness, and to really impact the greater community by making policy changes, bringing people together to create real change in LA so that we can house these people,” said Emily Bradley, the Program Associate for Housing Stability at United Way. 

Social media was also employed to promote more awareness around the nation. 

L.A. residents, company employees, homeless outreach workers and Bryant fans were among those to participate in the HomeWalk 2013. Russ Moore, a communication worker, said he came out because he's seen people withouh a place to live, wash themselves or have access to restrooms. “I’m grateful that we are not homeless,” he said.

Reach Staff Reporter/Photographer Cecilia Hua here.