by Rachel Hunter
On Saturday, October 25, the streets of Gouverneur will fill with purpose and compassion as community members gather for the Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction Stigma. The event, organized by national nonprofit Shatterproof, aims to raise awareness, break the silence surrounding addiction, and support those impacted by substance use disorders.
The walk will begin at Gouverneur Village Park, with participants gathering at 9:30 a.m. and stepping off at 10:00 a.m. The route will take walkers to Riverview Park in Gouverneur and back, offering a visible show of solidarity for families and individuals affected by addiction.
Fidelis Care is proud to stand at the forefront of the movement to end addiction stigma—joining forces with Shatterproof to champion dignity, understanding, and hope. Addiction is a treatable health condition, not a moral failing, and no one should face it alone or in silence. Through the Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction Stigma, Fidelis Care is helping raise awareness, foster empathy, and build a future where every person impacted by addiction is met with compassion and support. Team Fidelis Care is walking toward a tomorrow free from shame and full of possibility. Every step taken sends a powerful message: recovery is real, and change begins when communities come together.
Sandi Berry, CPC, CPMA—Provider Engagement Support Manager for Fidelis Care’s Behavioral Health Department—is serving as Team Captain for the upcoming Shatterproof Walk in Gouverneur, leading with conviction and heart. Under her leadership, the local effort is more than a fundraiser; it’s a movement of hope, healing, and solidarity. By rallying the community to walk and give, she’s helping shine a light on the realities of addiction, dismantle stigma, and extend compassion to every individual and family impacted.
Addiction touches every corner of our communities—no one is untouched. This walk stands as a testament to hope and healing, a living reminder that change is not only needed, but possible. By showing up, we become part of the solution and part of the proof that recovery, compassion, and transformation are within reach. To register or donate, visit Shatterproof’s Fideliscare team page at fundraise.shatterproof.org/teams/fideliscarewyw.