Strides Color Run BHS DECA 2023

Ryan Layne Howell was a Gainesville teen who had everything going his way in life. He was studying hard in the GHS Cambridge Program, earned a Varsity Letter in Cross Country, voted the “Most Artistic Male” Senior Superlative, earned a Bright Future Scholarship, as well as, had lots of friends throughout Gainesville and a loving family, including his sisters, Ashlyn and Ellyn Howell at Buchholz High School. Then, around the time of his Senior year, Ryan began to become affected by mental illness and addiction. Ryan and his family used mental health treatment resources in Gainesville to help Ryan; however, his mental illness became so severe that Ryan and his family had to search throughout the state, including Orlando and Boca Raton, for facilities that could treat Ryan’s mental illness and addiction. Sadly, Ryan was diagnosed with Schizophrenia at the age of 20. Once Ryan was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and addiction, referred to as “dually diagnosed”, the treatment facilities that would care for Ryan were very few, very far away and very expensive.

The Howell Family loved Ryan very much and wanted to bring Ryan home to Gainesville. His family searched for a place Ryan could transition to learn how to live with Schizophrenia and live a sober life. There were very limited options, especially for such a young man. Thankfully, a new Healthy Living Home had just opened a new home in Gainesville. They accepted Ryan as their first client who was “dually diagnosed”. Ryan lived there for 14.5 months and was learning how to live a sober life with Schizophrenia as his loving family was learning how to transition as a family and support Ryan in his journey.

Unfortunately, Ryan lost his battle with mental illness at the age of 22 years old. As sad as Ryan’s journey has been, it highlights the need for more access to mental health care and Sober/Healthy Living Homes that help persons with addiction and mental illness learn to live a content, peaceful, productive and sober life within our Gainesville community. Ryan’s family established the Ryan Howell Memorial Scholarship, Inc. as a not-for-profit organization to raise awareness and funding to help financially support the care and treatment of individuals who are dually-diagnosed with significant mental illness and addiction so they can live a content, peaceful, productive and sober life in Gainesville, FL.

Strides Color Run 5k 2023 is hosted by the Buchholz High School DECA program on 11/11/2023 which is intended to raise Mental Health Awareness, especially for persons with mental health/addiction/suicide in honor of Ryan Howell who lost his battle with significant mental illness. We are raising money for the Ryan Howell Memorial Scholarship, Inc., a not- for-profit organization, that works to raise awareness and funding to help financially support sober/healthy living housing and treatment for young adults so they can live a content, peaceful, productive and sober life at the Next Recovery Program (FARR Certified sober Healthy Living Homes) in Gainesville, FL.

Every cent of your donations goes directly towards the Ryan Howell Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Next Recovery Program Healthy Living Homes. Thank you so much for your support and donation!