A Walk in Their Shoes

Noah Rattler is a recent college graduate of Prairie View A&M in Texas. He is also a young man with a mission….to bring awareness of the serious issue of homelessness in America and to raise funds for SEARCH, a Houston, Texas agency committed to CHANGING LIVES. ENDING HOMELESSNESS.

The Route

CELEBRATE WITH NOAH

Noah will be returning to Houston on August 25, 2007 and his family and friends are planning a Texas sized welcome home party.  The event is scheduled for 2:00 pm at the Girls and Boys Preparatory Academy located at 8415 West Bellfort. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and other dignitaries have been invited to attend – as well as our entire city.  We hope you will join us and celebrate Noah’s accomplishment of walking half-way across America – an accomplishment that makes our city proud.

Out of necessity, Noah began walking when he went off to college. Not able to afford a car, it was his only way to get to the classroom everyday. While many would have considered this a hardship, Noah found it enjoyable…not only for the health/exercise benefits, but for the chance to just enjoy the world around him.

After completing his degrees in engineering and physics, Noah decided that before beginning his career – working to create infrastructures in third world countries – he wanted to accomplish a personal goal….walking half-way across America. While planning his trip, he happened to volunteer for SEARCH, Houston’s leading agency dedicated to getting people off the streets and helping them become productive citizens. Coming face to face with this American tragedy for the first time, Noah determined that his walk would take on a totally new meaning. Now, instead of this journey being a simple personal physical achievement, it has become a grassroots effort to bring awareness of homeless issues to the forefront.

Noah left Houston on March 24, 2007, from SEARCH's building at 2505 Fannin (corner of Fannin and McGowan). Before sending Noah on his way, SEARCH arranged a press conference for Noah to promote awareness for his journey and mission. In attendance were Noah Rattler, Jerome Gray of Channel 2 News, Cristi Lington of Z-Coil, Anthony Love of Houston Coalition for the Homeless, Katherine Griffin for Council Member Peter Brown, and Laurence J. Payne. View photos of the send-off.

• In Arlington, he was interviewed by the Arlington Star-Telegram.
  
  
• In Witchita Falls, he visited a number of homeless shelters, women's centers, and City Hall. His 1,800 mile walk was featured on CBC Channel 6, The Times Record News, and Texoma's KFDX .
  
  
• In Albuquerque, New Mexico, he recently appeared on television and radio broadcasts. One woman from the state of Washington heard Noah on the radio in Albuquerque and sent a letter to SEARCH with donation to express her support.
  
  
• San Bernadino Sun (photos)
  
  
• The Argonaut - Santa Monica

Steve Goad of ItsAGodGig Music has generously sponsored an RV to follow Noah all the way to Los Angeles. Steve is also the Executive Director of HARC, whose Board of Directors has generously sponsored some of the gasoline needs for the RV on the way to Dallas. While the RV has been provided at no cost, Noah and his team will still need donations to provide gasoline and a few oil changes along the way to Los Angeles.

Media coverage of Noah Rattler's walk:

March 6, 2007: Jerome Gray profiles Noah's efforts

March 14, 2007: Noah earns a thumbs up in an editorial by Larry Blackerby

March 24, 2007: Noah featured on CBS Houston's Channel 11

March 24, 2007: Noah featured on ABC Houston's Channel 13

Natalie Baker has written news pieces on Noah for her school publication

April 12, 2007: Arlington's Star-Telegram covers Noah's walk to LA

In Arlington, he was interviewed by the Arlington Star-Telegram.

In Witchita Falls, he visited a number of homeless shelters, women's centers, and City Hall. His 1,800 mile walk was featured on CBC Channel 6, The Times Record News, and Texoma's KFDX .

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, he recently appeared on television and radio broadcasts. One woman from the state of Washington heard Noah on the radio in Albuquerque and sent a letter to SEARCH with donation to express her support.

San Bernadino Sun (photos)

The Argonaut - Santa Monica

 

If you would like to make a donation towards Noah's efforts, please send a check or money order to:

SEARCH
ATTN: A Walk in Their Shoes
2505 Fannin
Houston, TX 77002

OR

Pay by credit card (call Kara Smith at 713-739-7752, ext. 167)

OR

Make a donation online

All donations will support Noah's expenses as he walks the 1,800 miles.