2nd Annual Walk for Recovery set for this Saturday

The month of September is also National Recovery Month, a time to support and celebrate friends, family, and loved ones in recovery. To honor people on their path to recovery and remind them they’re not alone, MYHouse and True North Recovery are hosting the 2nd annual ‘Walk for Recovery,’ this Saturday.

Bryan Fields, who is returning to coordinate coordinating the event this year, successfully coordinated last year’s walk and fellowship after seeing a similar event in Ketchikan in 2021, which was part of their “Stomp the Stigma” Recovery March and Rally.

“I thought ‘how cool would that be to do something like that here.’ When I first brought it up, people thought I was joking, so I just started making calls and hoping people would show up, and here we are,” he said at the walk last year.

The inaugural walk last year brought out over 100 people in recovery or allies of those in recovery and finished with a picnic and fellowship as people in long-term recovery shared their stories, reminding everyone that ‘they are not alone.’

“What I want people to know is this walk is to challenge the stigma of addiction, to show our community that recovery is possible. That although we’ve made mistakes, we are still people. We are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers. We are more than our mistakes and we can add value to this community if given the opportunity,” says Fields.

People in all stages of recovery are encouraged and invited to come out and walk. But this isn’t just for people in recovery. All are invited to come out and show their support.

“Even if you’re not in recovery. Maybe you’re thinking about getting into recovery or need help or have questions, everyone is welcome,” says Fields, who says that support from the community is invaluable to those needing help on their journey to recovery.

“Community support means everything to recovery. The opposite of addiction is connection, and no one recovers alone. But together, we can do amazing things.”

This year, the walk will kick off at 1 p.m. starting at the Walgreens parking lot in Wasilla, and will continue on to True North Recovery’s outpatient center on Knik Goose Bay Road, followed by pizza, refreshments and fellowship. There will also be resources available, offering support to those seeking recovery, as well as loved ones seeking guidance and support.

For more information, call MYHouse at 373-4357.