Follow My Steps

📣CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Don’t want to run on August 8th for the Mentoring Matters 5K but still want a way to get involved? We would absolutely love to have you help us throughout race day- in fact, we can’t do it without you!

Follow the QR code to sign up or send an email to [email protected] to join in on the fun. We cant wait to see you all soon!

🏃🏽‍♂️🏆✨ Our second inaugural Runners for Change Award recipient is James Mauer of Fleet Feet Longmeadow!

Created by Follow My Steps Foundation for the Mentoring Matters 5K, the Runners for Change Award honors community leaders who inspire the next generation through wellness, mentorship, service, and leading by example. Each recipient will have a youth scholarship awarded in their name, creating opportunities for the young people who will continue their legacy.

James has been an incredible partner throughout this year’s Mentoring Matters 5K journey. Week after week, he has generously volunteered his time to lead our FREE Run Group at Forest Park, helping participants of all ages build confidence, improve their running form, and prepare for race day.

Whether he’s fitting someone with their first pair of running shoes, sharing expert advice, or encouraging someone to take that first step, James has made everyone feel welcome. His passion for helping others discover the joy of movement has made a lasting impact on our community.

Congratulations, James, on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for investing your time, knowledge, and heart into helping others cross the finish line with confidence.

🏅 A youth scholarship will be awarded in James’ name to a participant in the 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K.

🎥 Watch as our CEO, Kashawn, surprises James with the Runners for Change Award and hear a few words from James himself.

⏰ Just 2 weeks until race day! Register now for the 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K on August 8. Walk, jog, or run with us as we celebrate mentorship, movement, and community.

Youth participants receive 50% off registration automatically and are eligible to apply for the Runners for Change Scholarship through the link in our bio (or the comments on Facebook).

See you at the starting line! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏁

🏃🏽‍♂️🏆 ✨Introducing the Runners for Change Award.

Created by Follow My Steps Foundation for the Mentoring Matters 5K, the Runners for Change Award honors community leaders who inspire the next generation through wellness, mentorship, service, and leading by example.

Each recipient will have a youth scholarship awarded in their name, creating opportunities for the young people who will continue their legacy.

After thoughtful consideration, we knew Eddie Matos had to be one of our inaugural recipients.

As a dedicated community leader and advocate for our mission, Eddie has been instrumental in helping Follow My Steps expand its impact. Through his leadership at Best Fitness, he has helped make our Saturday Fitness program, Day of Wellness, and Best Fitness’ Title Sponsorship of this year’s Mentoring Matters 5K possible. His support continues to create meaningful opportunities for the youth and families we serve.

Congratulations, Eddie, on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us build healthier, stronger communities.

🏅 A youth scholarship will be awarded in Eddie’s name to a participant in the 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K. Scholarship recipients must participate in this year’s race and be nominated by our Selection Committee of community leaders, educators, and mentors. Nominees should demonstrate resilience, leadership, and a commitment to lifting others up both in their schools and throughout the community.

📣Youth, this is your chance! Register for the 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K and receive 50% off your race registration automatically. Then submit your Runners for Change Scholarship application using the link in our Instagram bio or the link in the comments on Facebook.

Stay tuned as we introduce our second inaugural Runners for Change recipient soon. 🏆

🚨 ONE MONTH UNTIL RACE DAY! 🎉

The countdown is officially on! In just ONE MONTH, we’ll be hitting the pavement together for the 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K on Saturday, August 8th powered by Best Fitness 🏁

If you’ve been saying “I need to sign up,” this is your sign. ✨

Whether you’re walking, jogging, running, pushing a stroller, or cheering from the sidelines, there’s a place for you at this event.

👟 Need help getting race-ready? We have 4 FREE Sunday Run Groups left before Race Day, led by Fleet Feet Longmeadow . Swipe for the details and register today!

🗺️ Swipe to Slide 3 for this year’s course map. Seeing the route makes race day feel a whole lot less intimidating- you’ve got this!

This is more than a 5K. It’s a day of community, wellness, and showing up for our local youth.

There’s still time to:
🧡Register yourself or a team
🧡Donate to a fundraiser
🧡Start a fundraising team
🧡Sign up as a vendor
🧡Volunteer and be part of the day

Questions? Send a message- we’d love to have you involved.

📩 Save this post for the course map and Run Group schedule, share it with your favorite walking or running buddy, and tag someone you’re bringing to the starting line on August 8th! 🏁🏃‍♀️🏃🏅

On June 20th , our community, led by Noah Galas, came together for No One Eats Alone, and we couldn’t wrap up this special event without sharing some incredible photos that captured the essence of the day.

Noah, watching your growth, leadership, and passion for serving your community has been incredibly rewarding. You’ve taken the opportunities and mentorship you’ve received through Follow My Steps and turned them into meaningful action that brings people together. We couldn’t be prouder to have supported this event alongside our friends at HighBrow Wood Fired Kitchen & Bar.

Thank you for bringing us all together and for being such a great representation of what Follow My Steps is all about. We can’t wait to see what you do next, and you’ll always have our support.

🇺🇸Celebrate the 4th of July by saving on your Mentoring Matters 5K registration now through Saturday!

🎇Use code: HAPPY4TH5K to save $10 off your registration and start counting down with us to Saturday, August 8th!

🏃‍♂️ Walk, jog or run the 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K
📅 Saturday, August 8 at 10 AM
📍 Forest Park | Springfield, MA

Register as an individual, start a team or invite your favorite running buddy. Whether you’re chasing a PR or pushing a stroller, there’s a place for everyone at the starting line.

✔️ Finisher medals for all participants
✔️ Race shirts while supplies last
✔️ Family-friendly atmosphere
✔️ Support youth mentorship through Follow My Steps

🏁Tag a friend, share with your running crew and send this to someone who is looking for their next race.

STRONG DADS. STRONG KIDS. STRONG COMMUNITIES. 💪

This Father’s Day, give Dad the gift of wellness, memories, and movement the whole family can enjoy.

In partnership with our official title sponsors, Best Fitness, and our Gold sponsors, FleetFeet Longmeadow, we’re celebrating the dads, father figures, and families who make our communities stronger one step at a time.

🏃‍♂️ Walk, jog, or run together at the 5th Annual Mentoring Matters 5K on Saturday, August 8 at Forest Park.

🎉 Father’s Day Weekend Sale
Use code 5KBESTDAD and save $10 on registration through Sunday!

Register yourself, gift a registration to Dad, or start a team and invite the whole crew. Participants receive a race shirt (while supplies last) and a finisher medal.

Tag a dad or father figure who’s always on the move, share with your running buddies, and don’t wait — this special offer ends tonight! 🧡🖤

We’re extremely proud of the efforts of our Senior Explorer, Noah Galas. His No One Eats Alone event kicks off today, but is just the beginning of his plans for community involvement and impact.

Check out this amazing article written by Western Mass News. Way to go, Noah! See you at 10 am!

No One Eats Alone: Springfield resident launches new outreach for those in need A Springfield resident committed to helping those in need is doing so in a big way this weekend.