DEEP RIVER

When local nonprofit A Little Compassion (ALC) held its first Compassion Walk last year, inclement weather prevented participants from taking part in person, having to complete the walk virtually. But that did not diminish what the event was all about.

“We had a celebration here at The Nest a couple of weeks later, and that was great,” said Jane Moen, executive director of ALC. “We put up our big rainbow arch, we made and served free apple crisp because we have all these apples that have been donated…we had kids’ activities…we had hula-hoops and sidewalk chalk.”

Moen said the event saw ALC raise over $30,000 for its programs to serve its represented neurodiverse peoples at The Nest, one of the groups the walk and other events are meant to celebrate. With fingers crossed for fair weather and the celebration of all abilities at its heart, the Compassion Walk will return in person to Deep River on Saturday, Oct. 14, “to celebrate inclusion, acceptance, and opportunity for all,” said the ALC.

“I think in the end, people have that sort of feel-good thing that you wanted him to have, but we’re super excited to have it back in person,” said Moen.

The Compassion Walk will see participants travel by foot between half-mile to 3-mile distances, depending on their preferences and abilities. The “gentle walk” will begin and end at Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau at 56 High Street. After students from Valley Regional High School sing the national anthem, the walk will begin. Participants will first meet the half-mile mark at Fountain Hill Cemetery, after which those who end their walk there can walk back across the street to the bureau. The route will extend to the Landing, then continue onto Kirtland Street. Town EMS will be manning a water station at the Landing. Halfway along Kirtland Street will be a cutoff point turning onto Read Street, which will then lead walkers onto Prospect and then back to High Street, which will mark a completion of 1 mile.

Those who continue along the rest of Kirtland Street will make it onto Main Street and then to the bureau, marking 2 miles. Those who want to complete the full 3-mile journey will make one final loop around the cemetery before ending at Tri-Town.

Cones will be placed along the full walking route to help slow down traffic and continue to make the event safe for all its participants.

A celebration will await participants at the bureau’s parking after having completed their route. Now that the event is being held for a second time, there will be new accommodations for its neurodiverse participants during the post-walk celebrations.

“This year, we’re going to have not just the children’s active area, which we’re calling the ‘sensory-seeker area,’ but we’re going to have a sensory-friendly dome as well,” said Moen. “Sometimes, you still need a place to just kind of pull it together and feel like you’re bringing it in, and it’s safe, and it’s cozy, so that’s what that dome is all about. It’s got big warm blankets, squishmallows, books, coloring, all sorts of soft and fuzzy things that might help a person to kind of come down.”

Music that will be played will be on the softer side as another way to not make the celebrations too overwhelming for neurodiverse people. Guests include state newscasters Roger Susanin and Stephanie Simoni.

ALC has also partnered with Region 4 schools to make access for registration by neurodiverse participants easier, meaning that participation is free for all neurodiverse people between the ages of 2 to 30.

The three elementary schools will also host a drawing contest, where participants can color in an image of a Converse sneaker with ALC’s bird logo on it. Submission will result in free ice cream cones for them and their friends.

Another addition to this year’s event is the Team Spirit Awards for group participants.

“There are three awards that we’re going to be giving out to each team,” said Linda Bennet, ALC program director. “They are going to be the ‘Inspiring Creativity Award,’ an ‘Infectious Compassion Award,’ and ‘Captivating Team Spirit Award.’”

ALC encourages teams to be creative and dress up for the walk. They can sport “tutus, hats, funky shirts and signs,” said ALC.

“It’s meant to be an acknowledgment for their fun outward and inward experiences here at the walk,” added Bennet.

Those who take part in the event will be parking their cars at the back of Deep River Elementary School, which is connected to Tri-Town by a sidewalk. Handicapped parking is also available.

Ultimately, what this year’s event is about is not just about the walk, but building a supportive community surrounding people of all abilities.

“What’s important about that community piece is that if someone’s only walking half a mile, they’re gonna have some time to spend with us,” said Moen. “They’ll be able to roam around; we’re going to have snacks and treats that are complimentary. They can look at the drawing; they can do the sensory seeker or the quiet area. We hope that’s going to feel a little bit more like you’re at a celebration beyond just the walking.”

The virtual option for the event is still available if preferred, said Moen, where participants, regardless of their location, can walk the distance anywhere in the spirit of the event, like those who walk in person.

“It’s about coming together and positivity, looking at the future and just being around a bunch of people who, in that moment in time, are celebrating what makes them all unique as opposed to what makes them separate,” said Moen.

Registration will run through the date of the event, Saturday, Oct. 14. For more details on the walk, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/CT/DeepRiver/CompassionWalkPavingtheWayforPeopleofAllAbilities