In this file photo, members of the 海角社区SSW community pose for a photo during the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's. Courtesy photo.
鈥淐ome for the cause, but stay for the community.鈥�
That鈥檚 how Tina Matz, associate professor at the Boston College School of Social Work, describes the value of participating in the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚, the world鈥檚 largest fundraiser for Alzheimer鈥檚 care, support, and research.
鈥淭he Walk is a joyful, hope-filled event that reminds us of the impact we can have together,鈥� says Matz, who has organized 海角社区SSW鈥檚 participation in the annual event since 2018. 鈥淓ven if you haven鈥檛 been directly touched by Alzheimer鈥檚, you鈥檒l be moved by the stories, the sense of purpose, and the energy of being part of something larger than yourself.鈥�
Originally called Memory Walk, the Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 began in 1989 and is now held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide.聽
This year, Matz teamed up with 海角社区SSW鈥檚 Alumni Association to bring students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends together at North Point Park, a scenic spot located along the Charles River on the border of Cambridge and Boston.聽
There鈥檚 still time to join , which hopes to raise $2,000 to support the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association鈥檚 research toward preventing, treating, and ultimately curing a disease that affects over 7 million Americans.
The Walk, on Sunday, October 26, exemplifies 海角社区SSW鈥檚 theme for the academic year: 鈥淎ccompaniment in Action.鈥� At its heart, accompaniment means walking alongside others鈥攕haring their burdens and hopes, staying present as long as needed, and being continually renewed through genuine relationships, especially with those on the margins.
鈥淭he Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 embodies that spirit in both a literal and symbolic way,鈥� says Matz, who also chairs the older adults and families department at 海角社区SSW. 鈥淲e walk in solidarity with older adults, caregivers, and families navigating dementia, affirming that they are not alone.鈥�
Her favorite moments from past walks have come from seeing students and their families participate together, honoring loved ones affected by the disease. Some students have brought their children to honor a grandparent, while others have walked alongside parents who were caregivers.
鈥淟istening to their reflections on how their 海角社区SSW education prepared them to support families鈥攐r how their personal experiences caring for loved ones inspired them to enter this field鈥攊s always incredibly moving,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hose are the full-circle moments that make the Walk so special. It鈥檚 filled with quiet but profound connections that remind us why we do this work.鈥�
We spoke with Matz to learn more about 海角社区SSW鈥檚 ongoing participation in the Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚, the impact it has on the community, and how it embodies the School鈥檚 commitment to accompaniment.
Tina Matz, associate professor at the Boston College School of Social Work. Photo by Caitlin Cunningham for 海角社区 Photography.
First of all, how many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends have joined 海角社区SSW鈥檚 Walk team so far?
As of this week, we have 18 individuals who have joined our 海角社区SSW team from across the 海角社区SSW community鈥攕tudents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. We hope to have many more join us. It鈥檚 always inspiring to see people from different cohorts and roles come together around a shared cause.
For how many years has 海角社区SSW participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚?
I first began organizing the 海角社区SSW team to participate in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 in 2018, when I became Chair of the Older Adults and Families Department. Before that, my predecessor, Katie McInnis-Dittrich, informally gathered groups to walk together for many years. The event has since become a meaningful tradition for our School and a way to strengthen connections across generations, fields of practice, and cohorts within the MSW and doctoral programs and across faculty, staff, and student lines.
This year marks an especially exciting milestone鈥攊t鈥檚 the first time we鈥檝e formally partnered with the 海角社区SSW Alumni Association, and we鈥檙e so excited about the community-building and intergenerational engagement this collaboration can foster.
What fundraising goal have you set for this year鈥檚 Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚?
Our goal this year is to raise $2,000 for the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association, and I鈥檓 thrilled to share that we鈥檝e already raised $1,075. I鈥檓 hopeful we can exceed our goal in the weeks ahead. Every dollar supports vital research, caregiver assistance, and programs for families living with Alzheimer鈥檚 and other dementias.
How does 海角社区SSW鈥檚 participation in the Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 reflect its commitment to accompaniment?
At 海角社区SSW, accompaniment means walking alongside others鈥攍istening deeply, sharing burdens and hopes, and being transformed through authentic connection. The Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 embodies that spirit in both a literal and symbolic way. We walk in solidarity with older adults, caregivers, and families navigating dementia, affirming that they are not alone.
This event also beautifully reflects our School鈥檚 theme of 鈥淎ccompaniment in Action.鈥� It鈥檚 not just about raising funds鈥攊t鈥檚 about bearing witness, showing up, and building relationships that sustain us all. In that sense, the Walk is a small but powerful expression of our collective commitment to dignity, empathy, and social justice in aging and caregiving.
What would you say to encourage members of the 海角社区SSW community to join the School鈥檚 Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 team?
I鈥檇 say: 鈥淐ome for the cause, but stay for the community!鈥� The Walk is a joyful, hope-filled event that reminds us of the impact we can have together. Even if you haven鈥檛 been directly touched by Alzheimer鈥檚, you鈥檒l be moved by the stories, the sense of purpose, and the energy of being part of something larger than yourself. Whether you join the Walk, make聽a small donation, or cheer from afar, your participation matters. Plus, it's a gorgeous walk along the Charles and through the City of Cambridge.
What do you enjoy most about the Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚?
What I love most is the sense of togetherness. The sea of colorful flowers, families walking hand-in-hand, the laughter and the tears鈥攊t鈥檚 such a powerful visual of resilience and love. I also love seeing our students connect with one another, alumni, staff, and faculty outside the classroom, united by shared values and compassion.
What鈥檚 the most meaningful memory you have from participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚?
Some of the most meaningful moments for me are when students come, sometimes joined by family members or friends, who have been deeply affected by the disease and are walking in solidarity鈥攑erhaps their grandparent recently passed away, and they鈥檝e brought their parent who was the primary caregiver, or they themselves were caregivers and brought their children to honor their loved one.
Listening to their reflections on how their 海角社区SSW education prepared them to support families鈥攐r how their personal experiences caring for loved ones inspired them to enter this field鈥攊s always incredibly moving. Those are the full-circle moments that make the Walk so special. It鈥檚 filled with quiet but profound connections that remind us why we do this work.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I鈥檇 just add how proud I am of our community for showing up year after year鈥攏ot only for this event, but for older adults, caregivers, and those affected by early-onset Alzheimer鈥檚 as young or midlife adults. The Walk to End Alzheimer鈥檚 lasts just one morning, but the spirit of accompaniment it represents is something 海角社区SSW lives out all year long.