Why Run?
Run for Your Life and Someone Else’s!
Running is good for you, and when you make your run count for others, it’s great for our community!
Our inaugural Paterson Partners for Life VIRTUAL 5K Run-Walk on October 30 - November 1, celebrates and supports the life-saving, family-strengthening efforts taking place at Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center’s Paterson location. This year’s event marks an important milestone: 5 years of creative collaboration at 75 Ellison Street so under-resourced families can thrive!
In 2015, Lighthouse opened Paterson’s first pregnancy center in partnership with RENEW Life Center. In addition to these FREE services – ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy; parenting preparation with material aid; STD testing; and healthy relationship support – we offer additional resources to help parents from poverty backgrounds flourish as they care for their children.
Parents in New Jersey’s third-largest city have great challenges to overcome as they face unexpected pregnancies and welcome newborns:
- 37% of Paterson families with children live below the poverty line
- over 60% of births are to single moms
- 12% of births are to teen moms
Lighthouse’s practical, loving support for mothers – and fathers – starts early in pregnancy and continues through their child’s first year of life. RENEW’s 10-week transformational workshop, “Getting Ahead in a Just-Getting-By World,” financial literacy classes, and ongoing mentoring prepare parents for a lifetime of success.
Recognizing the unique concerns of pregnant and parenting teens, Lighthouse birthed YoungLives Paterson in 2017, together with Young Life. Saturday Clubs feature lunch, childcare, games and crafts, plus spiritual and emotional support for young mothers who feel alone and overwhelmed. Summer camp and after-school community groups share the hope of the gospel to impact two generations for good!
Our strategic partnership, in just five years, has:
- served 2,448 individuals in pregnancy-related need through 13,872 appointments
- provided 2,353 pregnancy tests and 1,327 ultrasounds to medically confirm pregnancy
- celebrated the births of 954 babies
- celebrated 9 Getting Ahead graduations with 88 women and men equipped for more abundant lives
- witnessed 38% of Getting Ahead grads find meaningful employment and 66% continue their education
- supported more than 25 teen moms with mentoring and much more as they raise their children
Your race registration fee – plus any additional funds you provide through donations and sponsorships – will help us take MORE steps in support of Paterson children and their families. Thank you!
Lighthouse Pregnancy Resource Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides all our services free of charge to those in need. Our Tax ID # is 22-2589831. Funds raised by the Virtual 5K will support our Paterson Center, including the work of RENEW Life Center and YoungLives Paterson. To learn more about the Paterson Partners for Life, visit www.PatersonPartnersforLife.org.
