On Saturday, September 27, 2025, nearly 200 Orlando community members came together at Harbor Park in Lake Baldwin for the Third Annual Hope Starts Here 5K Orlando, raising awareness, funds, and support for second chances. Benefiting Operation New Hope, Florida’s Statewide Reentry Network, the event united participants of all ages and experience levels to run, walk, and celebrate hope and opportunity.
The race kicked off at 8:00 a.m. as participants set out on the scenic 5K course around Lake Baldwin, enjoying tree-lined paths and beautiful water views. Energy and excitement carried runners and walkers toward the finish line, while our DJ kept the momentum high with great music throughout the morning.
Our first-place male finisher, Gregory Mathis, completed the course in an impressive 20:06, while Haley Roberts claimed first-place female with a time of 29:09. Afterward, participants gathered for an awards ceremony where Operation New Hope President & CEO Reggie Fullwood shared words of gratitude:
“Wow—what an amazing morning! At Operation New Hope, we see every day how difficult it is for our neighbors returning from incarceration to secure safe housing and fair employment. That’s why your support today means so much—it helps us open doors, create opportunities, and give second chances. Together, we are proving that when barriers come down, hope rises. Thank you for coming out and proving that hope starts here!”
The morning also featured the beloved Kids Dash, where children sprinted across the finish line, a joyful reminder that hope begins with the next generation. At Operation New Hope, our work not only transforms the lives of individuals returning from incarceration but also strengthens families, helping parents build stability and end cycles of poverty and incarceration for their children.
The 5K was a powerful celebration of community solidarity in support of reentry services and second chances. Local businesses and sponsors joined the cause, forming running teams, setting up vendor tables, and cheering from the sidelines. A special thank you to the Black Girls Run Orlando team for showing up in support!
A special thank-you to our sponsors—Orange Theory Fitness, The Southern Group, Waste Pro, and Recharge Infusions—whose generous support made this event possible. We are also deeply grateful to the dedicated volunteers from Olympia High School, whose hard work ensured the event’s success. These students assisted with registration, handed out water and post-race snacks, distributed medals, and cheered for every finisher. We truly appreciate the support of youth in our community!
Proceeds from the Hope Starts Here 5K will support Operation New Hope’s proven programs that provide:
These resources help justice-impacted individuals returning from incarceration build stability, and achieve long-term success. Since its founding in 1999, Operation New Hope has served more than 16,000 individuals across Florida through program locations in Orlando, Jacksonville, the Space Coast, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.
Clients of Operation New Hope experience a recidivism rate less than one-third of the state average—clear evidence that access to reentry services works, reduces crime, and strengthens communities.
