ARTICLE
QUINCY, Mass. (May 6, 2025) – Hundreds of runners and walkers defied the rain and took to the streets of Quincy’s Squantum neighborhood for Interfaith Social Services’ 51st annual Stop the Stigma 5K. The event, which raises funds and awareness for mental health and addiction care, brought in more than $150,000 to fund counseling sessions for those in need at Interfaith’s New Directions Counseling Center. Nearly 900 supporters signed up to take part in the April 26 event and over 600 runners and volunteers came out to the Kennedy Center in North Quincy despite the rainy weather. New Directions serves anyone seeking counseling but prides itself on being a safety net for the uninsured and underinsured members of the community by offering services on a sliding scale fee system. To further break down barriers to receiving treatment, new clients to the New Directions Counseling Center receive their first four sessions free of charge. Interfaith hosts the Stop the Stigma 5K each year to challenge stereotypes, encourage acceptance and eliminate stigmas associated with mental health and addiction. Many participants feel a strong connection to the mission and run or walk to support family and friends, or to highlight their own battles with mental illness or addiction recovery. “My boyfriend is sober after struggling with alcohol addiction,” said one participant in a post-race survey. “We ran together in honor of all the people he’s met working on their recovery.” Another participant shared: “I’ve worked in the mental health field and in social services. I see the impact that struggles with mental health can have on children and families and the importance of seeking help. I’m happy to support this mission to reduce the stigma around mental illness and increase accessibility of appropriate treatment and supports.” This year’s 5K featured The Cravery food truck, as well as bagels and refreshments courtesy of Gold Medal Bakery, Polar Beverages, and Trader Joe’s. DJ Jeff Fowler Productions provided tunes and emcee services, and fitness instructor Katie Asack led a group warm up. Attendees were also invited to enter raffles and play games on race day. Case Brabham of Cambridge was the fastest male, with a finish time of 17:51. Maureen Collins of Braintree earned the fasted female title, with a finish time of 21:38. Jacob Lai of Quincy earned the fastest youth title in the under-16 category, with a finish time of 20:29. The 2025 Stop the Stigma 5K is sponsored by many generous local businesses, including Presenting Sponsors Arbella Insurance Foundation and Wulfpac Charitable Funding; 5K Level Sponsors The City of Quincy – Mayor Koch’s Office, The Heritage Companies, and New England Medical Group; Gold Level Sponsors Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Milton, J. Calnan & Associates, Keohane Funeral Home, and South Shore Bank; and Silver Level Sponsors Abington Bank, Bank of Canton, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Crocker Electrical Co., Inc., Dedham Savings, First Congregational Church of Randolph, FoxRock Properties, Law Offices of William T. Kennedy, P.C., Lawson & Weitzen, LLP, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, MountainOne Bank, Point32Health, Puzzle Pieces, South Shore Health, Stop & Shop, United Healthcare and Wellsense Health Plan. Interfaith Social Services provides South Shore residents with the resources necessary to support a healthy and fulfilling life. Their programs include one of the largest emergency food programs in Greater Boston as well as a mental health counseling center, homelessness prevention program, the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop and seasonal initiatives bringing joy to children and families in need. Save the date for the 2026 Stop the Stigma 5K: Saturday, April 25, 2026. To find out more about Interfaith’s programs, visit InterfaithSocialServices.org.
QUINCY, Mass. (May 6, 2025) – Hundreds of runners and walkers defied the rain and took to the streets of Quincy’s Squantum neighborhood for Interfaith Social Services’ 51st annual Stop the Stigma 5K. The event, which raises funds and awareness for mental health and addiction care, brought in more than $150,000 to fund counseling sessions for those in need at Interfaith’s New Directions Counseling Center. Nearly 900 supporters signed up to take part in the April 26 event and over 600 runners and volunteers came out to the Kennedy Center in North Quincy despite the rainy weather.
New Directions serves anyone seeking counseling but prides itself on being a safety net for the uninsured and underinsured members of the community by offering services on a sliding scale fee system. To further break down barriers to receiving treatment, new clients to the New Directions Counseling Center receive their first four sessions free of charge.
Interfaith hosts the Stop the Stigma 5K each year to challenge stereotypes, encourage acceptance and eliminate stigmas associated with mental health and addiction. Many participants feel a strong connection to the mission and run or walk to support family and friends, or to highlight their own battles with mental illness or addiction recovery.
“My boyfriend is sober after struggling with alcohol addiction,” said one participant in a post-race survey. “We ran together in honor of all the people he’s met working on their recovery.”
Another participant shared: “I’ve worked in the mental health field and in social services. I see the impact that struggles with mental health can have on children and families and the importance of seeking help. I’m happy to support this mission to reduce the stigma around mental illness and increase accessibility of appropriate treatment and supports.”
This year’s 5K featured The Cravery food truck, as well as bagels and refreshments courtesy of Gold Medal Bakery, Polar Beverages, and Trader Joe’s. DJ Jeff Fowler Productions provided tunes and emcee services, and fitness instructor Katie Asack led a group warm up. Attendees were also invited to enter raffles and play games on race day.
Case Brabham of Cambridge was the fastest male, with a finish time of 17:51. Maureen Collins of Braintree earned the fasted female title, with a finish time of 21:38. Jacob Lai of Quincy earned the fastest youth title in the under-16 category, with a finish time of 20:29.
The 2025 Stop the Stigma 5K is sponsored by many generous local businesses, including Presenting Sponsors Arbella Insurance Foundation and Wulfpac Charitable Funding; 5K Level Sponsors The City of Quincy – Mayor Koch’s Office, The Heritage Companies, and New England Medical Group; Gold Level Sponsors Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Milton, J. Calnan & Associates, Keohane Funeral Home, and South Shore Bank; and Silver Level Sponsors Abington Bank, Bank of Canton, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Crocker Electrical Co., Inc., Dedham Savings, First Congregational Church of Randolph, FoxRock Properties, Law Offices of William T. Kennedy, P.C., Lawson & Weitzen, LLP, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, MountainOne Bank, Point32Health, Puzzle Pieces, South Shore Health, Stop & Shop, United Healthcare and Wellsense Health Plan.
Interfaith Social Services provides South Shore residents with the resources necessary to support a healthy and fulfilling life. Their programs include one of the largest emergency food programs in Greater Boston as well as a mental health counseling center, homelessness prevention program, the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop and seasonal initiatives bringing joy to children and families in need.
Save the date for the 2026 Stop the Stigma 5K: Saturday, April 25, 2026. To find out more about Interfaith’s programs, visit InterfaithSocialServices.org.