On June 21, hundreds of us will walk through the heart of Boston, not just to raise awareness but to carry forward a movement.  

The Walk for Health Equity is about more than closing the 23-year life expectancy gap between neighborhoods. It is about walking toward a city where everyone, no matter where they live, has the chance to live a long, healthy life. 

Health does not start in the hospital. It starts in our homes, our schools, our neighborhoods, our Clubs and our communities. The five social determinants of health, identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC, explain how our surroundings and systems shape everything from access to nutritious food to long-term health and mental well-being. They are also at the heart of Boston’s “Live Long and Well” (Boston’s Live Long and Well Agenda | Boston.gov ) strategy.

And they are the 5 Reasons We Walk. 

1. Economic Stability: When Paychecks Fall Short, So Does Nutrition 

  1. In too many Boston homes, the grocery list comes after rent, heat, and childcare. In neighborhoods like East Boston and Dorchester, one in three families with children struggle with food insecurity (Greater Boston Food Bank, 2023). Even middle-income families report skipping doctor visits or buying less healthy food because of rising costs. 
  2. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, we see this daily and respond with action. Every Club provides free, nutritious meals and snacks. Beyond meals, we offer paid teen jobs, financial literacy, and family supports that give kids and caregivers the tools to build lasting stability. 

2. Neighborhood and Built Environment: When Your Block Shapes Your Health

Where you live in Boston still determines how long you live. A few miles can mean a 20-year difference in life expectancy, driven by everything from air quality to grocery access to green space. In many communities, finding affordable fresh produce can be a challenge.

That is why our Clubs are more than after-school programs. They are community anchors and hubs of activity. They offer safe havens for exercise, learning, connection, and joy. Through our Healthy Futures initiative, we bring the resources in by partnering to host pop-up food distributions, family health events, and neighborhood festivals like our Healthy Futures Fest.

3. Healthcare Access and Quality: The Right to Be Well

Boston is home to some of the world’s best hospitals, but access is not equal. Language barriers, transportation and other barriers keep too many residents, especially people of color, from getting the care they need.

BGCB helps bridge that divide. We bring on-site health screenings, mental health resources, and trusted community health partners directly into our Clubs. Families can learn about nutrition, get support for anxiety, and connect to care in a space they know and trust.

4. Education Access and Quality: A Diploma Is a Prescription for Health

Education is one of the strongest predictors of lifelong health. Yet access to quality education and support within school systems remains unequal. Many Boston students still face underfunded classrooms, learning gaps, and stressors that extend far beyond the school day.

That is why every BGCB Club offers homework help, academic support, and college and career planning. We mentor, tutor, and coach not just to improve report cards but to build futures filled with purpose, confidence, and opportunity.

5. Social and Community Context: The Healing Power of Belonging

Health is more important than checkups. It is about connection, identity, and being seen. Communities of color and LGBTQ+ youth in Boston often report less emotional support, more stress, and higher rates of mental health challenges.

Our Clubs are built on relationships and trust. We create spaces where youth feel safe, celebrated, and empowered. We train staff in trauma-informed care. We offer counseling, youth leadership opportunities, and a community that says, “you belong.”

We Walk Because We Believe in a Different Boston

  • A Boston where no child goes to bed hungry.
  • Where the neighborhood you live in does not predict how long you will live.
  • Where every family has access to wellness, nourishment, and opportunity.

The Walk for Health Equity begins at 10 AM on June 21, starting at the Boston Commons and ending at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Yawkey Club of Roxbury. Registration is free. Following the walk, join us for the Healthy Futures Fest, featuring free health screenings, nutrition education, and community resources.

Register now at Walk for Health Equity | BGCB and help us close the gap, step by step.

Let’s Walk for Health Equity 
Saturday, June 21 | 10:00 AM | Boston Common 

WHO: Everyone who believes in justice, health, and opportunity for all 
WHAT: Walk for Health Equity + Healthy Futures Festival 
WHEN: Saturday, June 21st  

  • 10:00 AM | Gather at Boston Common (Parkman Bandstand)
  • 10:30 AM | Remarks 
  • 11:00 AM | Walk begins 
  • 12:00 – 3:00 PM | Healthy Futures Festival at Yawkey Club of Roxbury 

 
WHERE: From Boston Common to the Yawkey Club of Roxbury (115 Warren St.) 
HOW: Register here for free and bring friends, family, and neighbors 
WHY: Because where you live should not determine how long, or how well you live  

Join the movement on June 21st. 

Walk for Health Equity Map