Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM 16 UCW SEPTEMBER 21 - 27, 2022 Runners, walkers and volunteers will unite on Saturday, Oct. 1 for the second annual launch of Ray's Run, a 5k benefitting upgrades at e Lodge. Operation InAsMuch runs e Lodge as part of its Able-Life pro- gram. e Lodge is a dedicated facility serving homeless men with a desire to change their lives. is year's race will be in-person, a change from the inaugural and virtual race of 2021. Opened in 2017, e Lodge typi- cally houses twelve men who have committed themselves to leading a drug-free life while on the path to employment and independence. According to Community Engage- ment Coordinator Kanesha Bryant, a typical day at e Lodge requires the residents to maintain the upkeep of the facility and attend training ses- sions to ensure a positive outcome as they move forward in their lives. During the day, those who haven't yet reintegrated into the workforce. "Spend time in case management and building life skills," Bryant said. "is ranges from resume building to job searches to financial literacy, to learning how to build relation- ships." For those who have already gained employment, the staff is available for coaching on continued success in the workplace. e 2022 Ray's Run 5k will raise funds for e Lodge's kitchen to be renovated in order to better pre- pare daily meals for its residents. By upgrading the kitchen to commercial quality, e Lodge will be able to serve nearly 50 meals per day. When the late Ray Helton served as Executive Director of OperationI- nAsMuch, he envisioned creating a launchpad for men to re-enter the workforce using services provided by e Lodge. Today, e Lodge also of- fers in-house training and community service oppor- tunities. Future plans point to a full-service recovery program with various therapists on staff. "Our Lodge brothers aim to complete the program within two months and either transition into independent living, or become a candidate for Frink Street housing," Bryant explained. Frink Street allows further fine- tuning to what the men have learned at e Lodge. e length of time men stay in the program varies from per- son to person, depending on their progress. e staff 's goal is to ensure that no one moves on from the Operation InAsMuch programs until they are fully ready for success. Registration is open until Sept. 29 with an entry fee of $30 per adult and $20 per child. e race will begin at Methodist University near Matthews Ministry Center (Parking Lot J) on Oct. 1 at 8:30 a.m. For those who want to participate by volunteering, click Ray's Run Volunteer. Donations to Operation InAsMuch can also be made, at any time, via FAOIAM. For more information visit https:// www.faoiam.org/raysrun/. Whether you opt to participate as a runner or volunteer (or offer a dona- tion), you will do so knowing that the residents of e Lodge appreciate your support. Operation InAsMuch hosts Ray's Run 5k to benefit The Lodge by JYL BARLOW EVENT JYL BARLOW, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 FREE HEALTH CARE • for Eligible uninsured Adults call 910.485.0555 Community Concerts Presents Saturday October 1 Crown eatre 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at: Ticketmaster.com, Online at Crowncomplexnc.com 0r In Person at the Crown Complex Box Office For More Information: Contact 910-303-3996 TICKETS ON SALE NOW COMMUNITY CONCERTS SATURDAY OCTOBER 1 TICKETS ON SALE NOW SATURDAY OCTOBER 1 e Lodge opened in March, 2017, fulfilling Ray Helton's dream of a full-service facility to improve the lives of local men. (Photo courtesy Operation InAsMuch)