HOLYOKE — In an effort to open a new women’s sober home, the Michael J. Dias Foundation in partnership with Northstar Recovery Center will be hosting the first annual Strides for Serenity 5K, a community event dedicated to supporting those affected by addiction.
Set for Saturday, Sept. 21 at Ashley Reservoir, registration will open at 9 a.m. followed by the race beginning at 10 a.m.
To register, visit runreg.com/strides-for-serenity or visit mdiasfoundation.org. Entry is $30 if registered before Sept. 20. Same day registration will be $35.
The Michael J. Dias Foundation is committed to providing hope and resources to individuals and families affected by addiction. Through advocacy, education and support services, the foundation strives to create a community where recovery is possible for all.
Michael J. Dias Foundation Executive Director Karen Blanchard explained they were approached by Northstar Recovery looking to create a partnership on a 5K.
“We’ve been working with them to promote not only recovery but also the services that are in the area for people to access,” Blanchard said.
The foundation has operated three sober homes across Springfield for about the last 12 years and the ask and need for a women’s home has only grown. Blanchard said there is a lack of women’s homes available in the western part of the state, disproportionate to the homes on the eastern side.
“The need is just really, really there,” Blanchard said. “We thought this is the time to grow and expand and offer services now to women. We had such a success rate with the men, and we thought we could put the same model towards women, so we’ve been working with the sheriff’s departments and other community partners trying to raise the money so we can purchase a home.”
Blanchard said the foundation has grown to heights she and the Dias family never expected and to be in a position to be looking to expand on sober homes operated through the foundation in a new women’s home only furthers their mission.
“Everybody in the foundation is just really committed to the cause and they just want to see people get through their recovery journey and be successful afterwards,” Blanchard said. “Our houses have about a 35-40% success rate whereas the state average is only 5%, so we really think what we’re doing works.”
Blanchard added the homes use the 12 steps of recovery as the foundation of their programming and are guided by it.
The current fundraising goal by the Michael J. Dias Foundation and Northstar Recovery for this 5K is $500,000 and as of print time they were sitting at about $150,000 raised. Blanchard said those who enter the race will help continue to work up in meeting this goal to have the funds to secure and open a women’s sober home.
If unable to attend but still interested in donating to the cause, the Michael J. Dias Foundation is still accepting donations to its Capital Campaign. Contributions directly go toward the foundation’s mission to open a women’s sober home in Western Mass. and offering vital resources and support to women on their journey to recovery.
Blanchard said she hopes to see sunshine and people ready to run in support of a good cause on Sept. 21.
“Ashley Reservoir is a beautiful place to have a run,” said Blanchard.
