H*yas for Choice (HFC) participated in the In This Together Community Walk Oct. 7 to raise awareness about domestic violence.

The Community Walk was held by Calvary Women’s Services, an organization that provides support services for women experiencing homeless or domestic violence in the D.C. area. HFC participated in the walk as part of larger efforts to acknowledge October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Calvary Women’s Services developed the Community Walk in 2020 as a virtual fundraiser to support and house more homeless women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Volunteers at the shelter got the idea for the annual walk after joining together for daily walks during the pandemic.

While students were unable to complete the walk due to rain, they sat as a group to discuss Cavalry’s work and raised funds for the organization.

Alaina McGill (CAS ’26), the development director for HFC, said that HFC reached out to domestic violence organizations across the District to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which was created to address the stigma surrounding domestic violence, support the wellbeing of victims and end intergenerational and childhood trauma.

“One of our board members has been working closely with Cavalry this semester, so we worked with them to organize our own walk on campus. We were so excited to participate in this walk, as we got to spread awareness for the great work Cavalry does and raise money for their cause,” McGill wrote to The Hoya.

Many other groups came together or walked throughout the DMV region to support the cause. HFC raised over $200, which contributed to over $38,000 in funds raised for the shelter.

McGill added that the Community Walk helps raise funds for housing, education, health and career programs, but also brings people together for a common cause. 

“It was an amazing experience to meet such passionate, driven individuals, and it definitely brought us closer as a club. It has always been the mission of HFC to provide tangible services to the community while engaging in advocacy and education,” McGill wrote. “This work exemplified our mission, as we were able to support Cavalry through fundraising while educating the Georgetown community on their work.”

McGill said the important issues for HFC intersect with domestic violence when it comes to healthcare.

“Cavalry represents our holistic approach to healthcare. Our club focuses on abortion and contraception access, but education, housing, and mental health support all play a role in reproductive justice,” McGill wrote.

Alex Pollock (MSB ’27) recently joined HFC and said that making healthcare products accessible is crucial to educate students.

“HFC is important because it fills the gap between what Georgetown provides and what we need. Aside from the physical products, I think the visibility about sexual health and relationship health is also helpful for a lot of students,” Pollock wrote to The Hoya.

Kris Thompson, the CEO of Calvary Women’s Services, said the organization was also commemorating its 40th anniversary. 

“For forty years, Calvary has been dedicated to ending homelessness, inspiring hope, and transforming lives across the District,” Thompson wrote to the Hoya.

Thompson added that HFC is doing important work to help spread awareness about Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the organization itself.

“Our third annual In This Together Community Walk raised over $40,000 to directly support women in Calvary’s housing, health, education, and employment programs,” Thompson wrote. “We’re grateful that Hoyas for Choice participated in this event to raise awareness for Calvary’s mission, especially in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.”