About Us
You might be wondering – beyond simply a fun event, why is this race important? Why do people join?
At the Market Street Mission, we serve the community with meals, shelter, and a men’s addiction recovery program – and our mission to serve our neighbors in need is close to the hearts of many people for different reasons.
For Irene, who has been running with us for the past few years, our race is a way to honor her son who passed away. “I race to keep my son’s memory alive through Market Street Mission,” she said. And, because it is a Race for Recovery, she said, “I race for all that have made it, for those still fighting, and for those who lost the fight".
Nate and Luke, who are graduates of the Market Street Mission’s addiction recovery Life Change Program, were last year’s “Mission Possible” team captains. They believe that training for our race and working toward recovery go hand in hand. “The race is a commitment, and you want to get to the finish line. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, just that you go on the journey and make it to the end. I look at it like that with recovery, too,” Luke explained. And for Nate, the race is a great opportunity for the men in our program to focus on physical health and create a sense of brotherhood together. As team captains, they worked to encourage other men in our program to set goals and have fun together.
While the race is a great activity for our Mission residents, it’s also a way for our community to show support for those struggling with substance abuse, as well as their loved ones (this keeps the race near to the heart of the mission of our addiction recovery program!) The race serves as a way to raise financial support for the Mission and its programs as well.
Nate thinks it’s important for the community to come to events like the Race for Recovery so they can get to know the Mission and the people we serve face-to-face. “We have our issues, but we’re good people,” he said. “At community events, people get to see the progress we’re making and what the program is actually doing.” Luke echoed his thoughts: “everybody either has a family member or knows somebody that has been struggling with addiction, and [the race] is just a few hours to show support for the cause and come together. That’s a huge win.”
Join us each year on July 4 and show your support of those running the race of recovery!
About the Market Street Mission
The Market Street Mission is an experienced organization with a proven method of helping to fight alcoholism, drug abuse, hunger and homelessness in Northern NJ. As a private non-profit we rely on the charitable support of compassionate donors to provide meals, shelter & hope, 365 days a year.
Our mission is to surround our neighbors in need with God’s love and everything they need to get back on their feet – food and shelter, counseling and job training, spiritual guidance and Bible study – to live stable, productive lives in our community.
Each year, Market Street Mission has the opportunity to serve more than 105,000 meals to homeless and underprivileged individuals; provide over 30,000 shelter nights of care to men at our Emergency Shelter and residents in our Life Change Program; and graduate up to 60 men from our Life Change Program!
