Pastor's 46-mile walk reveals challenges facing families
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Peter Matthews stands with a colleague outside the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester after completing his five-day trek across Southwest Ohio. Photos: Courtesy of Peter Matthews
A Greater Cincinnati pastor recently walked 46 miles over five days to spotlight children facing poverty, homelessness and foster care challenges — and those helping them.
Why it matters: Along the way, Peter Matthews encountered reminders of things many take for granted, including having a car.
- Transportation and access to services can be hurdles for struggling families, even in affluent suburbs.
- The walk raised $7,000 toward a $20,000 goal for Project Connect, which helps Cincinnati Public Schools students experiencing homelessness, and Kindness for Kids, which provides supplies to children in foster care.
Driving the news: Matthews, founder of Global Village 513, ended VillageWalk 2026 Friday at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester.
- Matthews visited 25 organizations, including Bethany House Services and Focus on Youth.
- He also stayed at churches and CPS' Safe Sleep Lot, where families experiencing homelessness can sleep in their cars.
What he saw: Matthews encountered one minor inconvenience along his West Chester route, where a lack of sidewalks forced him to walk along the road.
- "Everyone can't drive to get to the services they need," he tells Axios, citing the Healing Center's bicycle donation program as one way organizations help.
The bigger picture: Matthews describes the Islamic Center as a "United Nations," with worshippers from different cultures and economic backgrounds.
- "Everyone showing up for each other still matters in these days and times."
What's next: Matthews wants to keep the momentum going, with quarterly opportunities for Southwest Ohio residents to help children facing homelessness and those in foster care.
- Would he walk into Warren County next? "You got to ask my feet that question," he joked.
- But he's happy to have Warren County residents join the effort. "I'd be more than happy to meet them halfway."