Our Lucky Number 13: A Journey of Dedication and Empowerment

This weekend, Sara Sitkiewicz and The Healing Place 10k team be out for the 25th anniversary of the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K, set to take place on April 20th. This year marks the 13th anniversary of The Healing Place race team. Started by former Board member Stevie McFadden and now led by Sara Sitkeiwicz, the team was created with a vision to empower individuals through running. Since then, this initiative has blossomed into a powerful force for change for The Healing Place participants here at CARITAS.

The Ultimate Training Journey

The Healing Place team has embarked on a 10-week training program since  February, gearing up for the upcoming race on April 20th. This rigorous training not only prepares the participants for the race, but also fosters camaraderie, discipline, and a sense of achievement in their healing process.

This year, we have a fantastic lineup of 9 dedicated participants from The Healing Place ready to rock the race: 2 amazing women and 7 awesome men. And guess what? Ten program alumni have returned as coaches for the team, all committed to giving back and supporting others on their journey to recovery. Let’s give them a round of applause for their dedication and passion!

Shood and The Healing Place: A Perfect Partnership

Shood has been a proud supporter of The Healing Place since 2019. Since their founding in 2017, Shood has provided over 20,000 pairs of shoes to those in need across the Richmond area. The mission of The Healing Place aligns perfectly with Shood’s– to restore dignity and hope to individuals working towards finding the resources that they need in their recovery journey.

Sports Backers: Our MVP Sponsor and Partner

We would also like to thank Sports Backers for waiving the race registration fees for our training team participants. Their continued support is invaluable in helping us make this event a success.

Be Part Of Our Community: Volunteer and Make a Difference

Sara Sitkeiwicz is a passionate advocate for The Healing Place. She emphasized the importance of community involvement: “Even if it’s just one person that we help, we want to see that person succeed.”

Come out to Monument Avenue this Saturday, April 20th to cheer on our 10k runners from The Healing Place. If their fitness journey inspires you, we’d love to have your support as a training team coach or participant in 2025! Your involvement can make a significant impact and help us continue to change lives through running and community support.