The Big Picture
Delaware Walks For Recovery is an annual, statewide community initiative designed to generate sustainable funding for long-term recovery in Delaware. Through a structured walk consisting of multiple routes and sections across the state, residents are invited to participate by walking, forming teams, sponsoring others, or donating as little as one dollar per year. The purpose of the event is not only to raise awareness, but to build the capital and public support necessary to construct and sustain Delaware’s free long-term residential recovery center. By uniting individuals, families, organizations, and sponsors in a shared act of movement and giving, Delaware Walks For Recovery transforms small, accessible contributions into a collective investment in healing, stability, and long-term recovery for all Delawareans.
The Story Behind The Walk
Delaware has a wide variety of individuals, families, and organizations committed to the fight against substance addiction, gambling addiction, and other mental health disorders. Hector Garcia of the Delaware Council on Gambling Problem had a vision for a statewide grassroots walk to unify our state for healing and recovery. After discussing his vision with Zachary Bib of Firm Foundation Recovery and looking at the current needs in our state they began the planning for an annual statewide walk culminating in Dover.
Delaware Council For Gambling Problems and Firm Foundation Recovery are now full steam ahead and committed to growing and expanding "Delaware Walks For Recovery". Everyone in Delaware is affected by addiction and now everyone can walk, do their part, and voice their why on social media to expand the recovery movement. This initiative will help create and sustain a free long term post treatment recovery center in Delaware.
The Big Idea
Firm Foundation Recovery’s mission is to build and operate a free long-term post-treatment residential recovery center in Kent County. To remain fully focused on the needs of those in recovery and free from outside influence, the center is designed to be 100% community-funded by the people of Delaware.
With just a $1 annual donation from every Delaware resident, Firm Foundation Recovery can build and operate a center providing long-term recovery housing for 30 men and 24 women. Additional contributions will support the development of future centers in New Castle and Sussex counties.
Our vision is that within the next 5–10 years, Delaware will have three recovery centers providing 162 free long-term recovery beds, along with transitional living opportunities where individuals in recovery can serve and support others on the same path.
This model reflects the 9–18 months often needed for lasting recovery once individuals are separated from drugs and alcohol. Our Board of Directors represents over 91 years of combined recovery experience, and we are always available to discuss the mission and answer questions.
For more information or to connect with our team, please visit the Contact page.
How Does it Work
What began as an idea has evolved into something more. We’re proud of where we’ve been—and even more excited for what lies ahead. What sets Delaware Walks For Recovery apart isn’t just the process, but the intention behind it. Every step is designed with care, taking time to understand, explore, and create with purpose at every turn. The walk begins on Friday, May 1 and continues through the weekend. On Sunday the walk will end with a coming together the legislative hall in Dover from 12pm-4pm (Vendor set up is 11am).
The core elements of Delaware Walks For Recovery are organized into five key components:
Friendly Competition for both individuals and teams.
Five Statewide Routes, divided into clearly defined sections to make participation accessible.
Support Someone Who Walks, allowing anyone to contribute by sponsoring a walker.
Community Sponsors, who help amplify the mission and sustain long-term recovery efforts.
Harvest on the Green, where the state comes together to celebrate unity, participation, and progress.
Friendly Competion
Walk • Share • Inspire
Delaware Walks For Recovery includes a friendly, community-wide challenge to spark engagement and celebrate commitment. Each team or individual completes walk sections (legs) along their route. After completing a section, participants post on Facebook, tagging Firm Foundation Recovery along with their individual or team name.
At the end of the walk, the top three individuals or teams who complete the most sections—as verified by posted walk completions—will be recognized in person at the culmination event on the Green at Legislative Mall on the Green.
This competition isn’t about speed—it’s about participation, visibility, and showing Delaware what recovery looks like when a community moves together.
Official Competition Rules
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Participation is open to all registered individuals and teams taking part in Delaware Walks For Recovery.
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Each individual or team may complete one or more walk sections (“legs”) along any official route.
Upon completing a section, participants must post on Facebook tagging Firm Foundation Recovery and clearly identifying their individual or team name.
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Completed sections are verified solely through publicly visible Facebook posts.
Each post counts as one completed section, regardless of distance or route.
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Only posts made during the official walk timeframe will be counted.
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The top three individuals or teams who complete the most verified sections will be recognized in person at the culmination event on the Green at Legislative Mall in Dover, Delaware.
Recognition is honorary and non-monetary.
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Participants must follow all safety guidelines and local laws while walking.
Organizers reserve the right to disqualify posts that are unsafe, inappropriate, or inconsistent with the mission of recovery.
By participating, individuals grant permission for their names and posts to be acknowledged publicly for event recognition purposes.
Five Suggested Routes
Accessible Participation Statewide
Statewide Routes
Each route spans a different part of Delaware, symbolizing that recovery touches every community, every neighborhood, and every family. No matter where you live, there is a route that represents your part of the state and your role in the journey.
Sections Per Route
Every route is divided into sections, allowing participants to take recovery step by step. Sections make participation accessible—whether you walk one segment or help complete an entire route, every section contributes to the larger mission.
Suggested Routes
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Total: 58.3 Miles One Way
Section 1 - Southwood to Pike Creek 4.4 miles
Section 2 - Pike Creek to Newark 5.3 miles
Section 3 - Newark to Glasgow 7.8 miles
Section 4 - Glasgow to Glasgow Baptist 3.1 miles
Section 5 - Glasgow Baptist to DE Veterans Cemetery 3.4 miles
Section 6 - Summit Bridge to Middletown 6.3 miles
Section 7 - Middletown to Townsend 4.3 miles
Section 8 - Townsend to 3 Palms Zoo 5.6 miles
Section 9 - 3 Palms Zoo to Clayton 4.9 miles
Section 10 - Clayton to Cheswold 7.2 miles
Section 11 - Cheswold to Dover 6.0 miles
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Section 1 - Brandywine to Fairfax 3.6 miles
Section 2 - Fairfax to Wilmington 3.1 miles
Section 3 - Wilmington to Newcastle 7.9 miles
Section 4 - Newcastle to Kirkwood Sports Complex 3.1 miles
Section 5 - Kirkwood Sports Complex to Red Lion Christian Academy 4.6 miles
Section 6 - Red Lion Christian Academy to St George's 5.2 miles
Section 7 - St George's High School to MOT Charter High School 3.1 miles
Section 8 - MOT Charter High School to Middletown 4.3 miles
Total 34.9 miles one way
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Total: 53.4 One Way
Section 1 - Selbyville to Frankford 4.3 miles
Section 2 - Frankford to Dagsboro 2.4 miles
Section 3 - Dagsboro to Millsboro 4.4 miles
Section 4 - Millsboro to Stockley 5.1 miles
Section 5 - Stockley to Georgetown 4.3 miles
Section 6 - Georgetown to Redden 4.4 miles
Section 7 - Redden to Ellendale 5.6 miles
Section 8 - Ellendale to Lincoln 5.0 miles
Section 9 - Lincoln to Milford 3.4 miles
Section 10 - Frederica to Riverview 3.0 miles
Section 11 - Riverview to Magnolia 4.5 miles
Section 12 - Magnolia to Rising Sun Lebanon 3.0 miles
Section 13 - Rising Sun Lebanon to Dover 4.0 miles
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Total: 37 Miles One Way
Section 1 - Fenwick Island to Bethany Beach 5.5 miles
Section 2 - Dewey Beach to Aspen Medows 4.5 miles
Section 3 - Aspen Medows to Nassau 3.7 miles
Section 4 - Nassau to Harbeson 5.7 miles
Section 5 - Harbeson to Milton 4.4 miles
Section 6 - Milton to Jefferson Crossroads 4.6 miles
Section 7 - Jefferson Crossroads to Cedar Creek 3.0 miles
Section 8 - Cedar Creek to Woods Haven 5.6 miles
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Section 1 - Delmar to Bacons 3.7 miles
Section 2 - Bacons to Laurel 3.5 miles
Section 3 - Laurel to Rd 480/13 3.0 miles
Section 4 - Rd 480/13 to Blades 2.9 miles
Section 5 - Seaford to Lake Shores 3.3 miles
Section 6 - Lake Shores to Bridgeville 4.8 miles
Section 7 - Bridgeville to Greenwood 5.0 miles
Section 8 - Greenwood to Farmington 4.9 miles
Section 9 - Farmington to Harrington 4.0 miles
Section 10 - Harrington to Felton 6.6 miles
Section 11 - Felton to Woodside 4.6 miles
Section 12 - Woodside to Camden 3.5 miles
Section 13 - Camden to Dover 3.4 miles
Support Someone Who Walks
Donate on Behalf of Another
Participation in Delaware Walks For Recovery is designed to be accessible to everyone. Walk a single section, take on the challenge of completing a full route, or participate by supporting someone else’s walk. If you’re unable to walk—or choose not to—you can still take part by registering and donating on behalf of another individual or team.
During registration, participants will be asked whether they are walking for themselves or sponsoring someone else. This allows every person to engage meaningfully, regardless of physical ability, schedule, or circumstance. Movement isn’t the only way to contribute—support is just as powerful, and every sponsored step helps move Delaware closer to sustainable, long-term recovery.
Community Sponsors
Partner With Us
Community sponsors play a vital role in expanding awareness and sustaining the mission of Delaware Walks For Recovery. Sponsorship goes beyond financial support—it is an opportunity to actively help mobilize the community. Sponsors are encouraged to share information about the walk, invite individuals and teams to participate, and help spread the message of recovery through their networks and social media platforms.
As part of their support, community sponsors will receive evergreen printed materials—including signs, flyers, and posters—featuring a QR code that allows residents to quickly register and donate. These materials serve as a permanent, visible fixture in the community, helping promote the walk year after year while directly supporting the construction and long-term sustainability of Delaware’s recovery center.
Community sponsors are also invited to make an annual contribution and are welcomed to host a table and tent at the culmination event on the Green at Legislative Mall on the Green. This provides an opportunity to connect with participants, offer resources, and stand publicly alongside the state in support of recovery, unity, and long-term healing.
The Culmination Day
Harvest on the Green
Sunday, May 3 From 12-4pm (Vendor set up is 11am)
The final day of Delaware Walks For Recovery brings the entire state together in one shared space. Residents, walkers, teams, community sponsors, and supporters will gather on the Green at Legislative Mall on the Green to celebrate unity, participation, and collective impact. This gathering serves as both a celebration and a moment of reflection—recognizing every step walked, every section completed, and every dollar contributed.
The Culmination represents the harvest of the statewide effort, transforming individual actions into collective momentum. It is a day to acknowledge community involvement, recognize teams and participants, share resources, and reaffirm a shared commitment to accelerating the construction of Delaware’s free, long-term residential recovery center. More than an event, Harvest on the Green stands as a visible reminder that addiction recovery is not an isolated journey—it is a shared, statewide responsibility.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. You can also send us an email at firmfoundationrecovery@gmail.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!