(WJAR) — A Florida man walking to all four corners of the continental United States to raise awareness about mental health brought his journey through Rhode Island on Monday.
Kyndal Ray Edwards walked from Narragansett to Warwick as he continued the final leg of a nearly five-year mission built around a simple message: You matter.
“We’re out here for the ones who are currently struggling, to let them know that there is hope,” Edwards said. “Let them know they matter.”
Since Jan. 1, 2022, Edwards has walked more than 11,600 miles over 955 days.
Kyndal Ray Edwards walked from Narragansett to Warwick Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 as he continued the final leg of a nearly five-year mission built around a simple message: You matter. (Kyndal Ray Edwards)
“It doesn’t even feel real,” Edwards said. “Every day is an adventure.”
Edwards is now completing the East Coast portion of his journey, walking from the southernmost point of Florida to the northeasternmost point of Maine.
The journey, however, began long before he took his first step.
“You never know what anybody is going through at any given time,” Edwards said.
Edwards said he has endured significant struggles throughout his life, including suicide attempts, an overdose and time behind bars.
“In the last 18 years of my life, I’ve tried to take my life twice. I’ve overdosed. I’ve been in county jail 11 times, in prison twice,” he said.
While incarcerated, Edwards read a newspaper article about a man who had walked across the country. The story stayed with him and eventually inspired his own journey.
Kyndal Ray Edwards walked from Narragansett to Warwick Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 as he continued the final leg of a nearly five-year mission built around a simple message: You matter. (Kyndal Ray Edwards)
“I fell in love with the story and knew I wanted to do something similar,” he said.
Edwards said his message has reached people during some of their darkest moments.
“I’ve had somebody pull over on the side of the road saying that they were on their way home to take their life until they came across the ‘You Matter’ sign in front of my cart,” he said.
What began as one man walking has grown into an online community of more than 85,000 people following his journey.
“There’s always lots and lots of positivity,” Edwards said.
Now, the finish line is in sight.
“Five hundred is a very small amount of miles to me at this point,” he said.
Edwards expects to complete his roughly 12,000-mile journey across 39 states by the end of October, but he said his message will continue long after his final step.
“Keep going. Be kind to yourselves. Be kind to each other, and lift somebody up with love and positivity,” Edwards said.