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Urban Purpose reaches out to the community

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Urban Purpose Challenge

Two hundred participants waited to receive bib numbers. Above, the “Urban Purpose Challenge” banner blew in the summer breeze. As the huddle around the 5K starting line multiplied in size, Jim McFarland, Mark Jenkins and the volunteer staff prepared to launch the first Urban Purpose 5K. Approximately $20,000 was raised, setting a high bar for the following years. 

Urban Purpose, established in 2010 by Jim McFarland and business partner Mark Jenkins, is a nonprofit organization providing services for people recovering from drug and/or alcohol addiction, seeking employment and health services, and overall trying to set their lives on the right path. On August 29, the ministry will host the third annual Urban Purpose Challenge at Shades Mountain Baptist Church. All donations and proceeds will be used toward the services. The event includes the 5K race, the Kid’s Mess Fest and the newly added Team WOD Competition. Many volunteers will assist in running the event, including close friends and contributors Felicia Dewing, Kelly Olcott and Chris Wade.

The primary focus of Urban Purpose revolves around producing a positive difference in people’s lives. 

“The goal is to be efficient in helping people,” McFarland said.

One person in particular who is familiar with the services of Urban Purpose is Wilkes Poteete. 

“I came to Birmingham a year and a half ago [from Adams, Alabama] after spending quite some time in addiction and checked into a yearlong rehab and recovery center,” Poteete said. “Jim and Mark showed up one day to introduce themselves and the ministry. They began to visit often and encouraged me as I went through the program.” 

After rehab, McFarland and Jenkins aided Poteete in finding a job and rerouting his life for the better. 

“Not a lot of people understand the obstacles a recovering addict faces, let alone want to try and empathize with the problems we face trying to get our feet back on the ground,” Poteete said. 

Now, Poteete is on the path toward transforming the job he currently holds into a lifelong career. 

“Right now I am taking it one day at a time, [but] I am excited about what the future holds for me,” he said. In his vision of the future, Poteete aspires to become financially stable and hopes to one day have a family of his own.  

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