Don't Walk By
is an annual outreach to our neighbors surviving on the street. The outreach encourages New Yorkers to put into practice the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
For almost two decades, Don’t Walk By volunteers have canvassed the streets of Manhattan, met over 10,000 individuals and invited them back to a host site. While at the host site, our guests were offered a hot meal, clothing, basic medical care, and connection to ongoing support. Check out our video and gallery from past years’ outreach!
Volunteer Training Cirriculum
Don’t Walk By 2026
Don't Walk By is an annual outreach to people experiencing homelessness in New York City. Volunteer teams canvass the streets and subway stations of Manhattan looking to meet our neighbors in need. Volunteer teams meet new friends on the street and invite them to lunch at a host site. Here guests are offered a meal and a range of additional items and services such as clothing, basic medical care, overnight hospitality at a partner facility, and the option to enter longer-term programs.
Now in its 18th year, Don’t Walk By 2026 will take place on Saturday, February 28th hosted by The Salvation Army on 14th Street, and mobilize nearly 400 volunteers.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”