More than 800 people gathered at Nay Aug Park in Scranton on Sunday morning to show support for people in recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders.
The event, organized by The Recovery Bank, a Scranton-based recovery support organization, brings people together to remind those going through recovery that they are not alone.
For Jennifer Coleman, a certified recovery specialist with The Recovery Bank, the event is also a personal reminder of the importance of connection during recovery.
“This is huge because for me, a lot of times in my life I felt alone. I never felt like I really had that connection, and when you walk into this event, you can feel that unconditional love,” Coleman said.
The event has grown each year, bringing together people at different stages of their recovery journey and connecting them with local resources, including recovery support organizations and vendors.
Shonda Wainwright of Scranton said having a supportive community can help people move forward from some of the darkest moments of recovery.
“When you’re getting through it alone, you’re in a dark place, so this is how we get out of the dark and into the light — with others that shine on us and make it brighter,” Wainwright said.
Seth Shunoski, who is at the beginning of his recovery journey, said finding that sense of community was one of the reasons he attended the event.
“Me being new to recovery, I’m coming back up from relapse, so it’s good for me to know that there are people here that are supportive and there are people that want to see me succeed. Not everybody is against me. It makes me feel a part of, instead of apart from,” Shunoski said.
While the event focused on creating a supportive community for people in recovery, the walk also served as a way to remember those who have passed.