Every Step Brings Us Together

With the DC Walk for Justice 5K less than eight weeks away, I’m looking forward to one of my favorite parts of the event—the quiet conversations along the route. Some of the most honest exchanges I’ve had about our collective work have happened as we walk side by side. 

Participating in the walk lets us experience in real time what we know to be true: the people who care about equal access to justice come from every part of our community. Lawyers and judges walk alongside health care providers, business leaders, nonprofit professionals, students, families, and neighbors. Our time together helps us better understand the role each of us plays in helping vulnerable District residents get the legal support they need.  

That spirit is exactly why this event matters. 

The challenges facing District residents are too complex for the legal services community to solve alone. All of us must come together to ensure families know their rights and options for support when urgent challenges arise. When I think about who we are walking for, I think about the family trying to stay housed, the senior at risk of losing their public benefits, and the parent navigating a difficult custody case.  

I’m also excited to experience our new route. This year, walkers will cross the Frederick Douglass Bridge and enjoy a scenic stroll along the Anacostia River Trail, before crossing the Anacostia River and heading back to Centerfield Plaza at Nationals Park. The idea to cross the river came from a participant who recognized the bridge’s connection to Ward 8 and the Anacostia communities where many legal services providers focus their work. I like that the route itself tells a part of the story that we advocate for every day.  

Along the way, walkers can expect to discover new information about the work they are supporting. We’ll showcase facts about legal aid to spark discussion, and at the Grantee Partner Village, participants can learn how legal aid organizations and community partners are helping District residents facing housing, family, consumer, and other civil legal challenges. I hope these conversations are something you will carry with you long after the Walk is over.    

Whether you join us as a walker, become a sponsor, or help spread the word, your participation in the 2026 DC Walk for Justice matters. Our goal this year is to raise $500,000 to support the DC Bar Foundation’s work, so that more District residents can find the legal help they need when they need it most. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and supporters, we’ve already raised more than half of that goal.  

Let’s keep this momentum going! Please visit the DC Walk for Justice 5K event page to register to walk, learn about sponsorship opportunities, and see video highlights of last year’s Walk. Then join us on October 22. I can’t wait to see the conversations, connections, and new ideas this year’s Walk will inspire.  

Sincerely, 

Kirra L. Jarratt

Chief Executive Officer