Reviving the Spirit of Community: MVP's New York City Workout at Pier 84
by Leslie Parsons
On Tuesday, May 28, the atmosphere at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 was electric. The Merging Vets & Players (MVP) organization held a special Community Workout, sponsored by the True North Foundation, marking the first step in reviving its New York chapter. This event brought together veterans, former professional athletes, and a wider circle of friends, family, and supporters, united in a shared mission of support and understanding.
A Mission of Connection and Support
MVP’s mission is both powerful and profound. By creating peer support communities through shared physical activity, MVP brings together veterans and former professional athletes. These groups share unique challenges in their transitions from service or professional sports to civilian life. MVP’s approach fosters an environment of mutual support, camaraderie, and understanding, helping members navigate their journeys with strength and solidarity.
The organization’s weekly workouts are exclusive to members, creating a safe space for veterans and former athletes to connect deeply. After each workout, participants engage in a “huddle,” where they share personal thoughts and emotions, fostering a supportive and understanding community.
The Importance of Community Workouts
Community Workouts are an extension of MVP’s mission. These events invite friends, family, and supporters into the fold, helping to bridge the understanding gap between MVP members and their wider communities. By involving more people in these workouts, MVP aims to deepen the broader community’s understanding of the unique transition experiences faced by veterans and former athletes, thereby enhancing the support network available to them.
The New York Chapter’s Journey
The New York chapter of MVP launched in 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person gatherings. The lockdowns necessitated a shift to virtual workouts, which, while effective in maintaining connections, lacked the physical camaraderie of in-person sessions. Reviving these face-to-face workouts has been a challenge, primarily due to difficulties in securing a convenient location for the majority of members.
The Community Workout at Pier 84 was a significant step towards overcoming this challenge. It was not just a physical workout but a symbol of resilience and determination to rebuild the chapter’s in-person activities.
As the sun set over the Hudson River, participants experienced much more than physical exercise. The event was a rejuvenation of spirit, a reinforcement of the bonds that hold the MVP community together, and a hopeful step towards a robust revival of the New York chapter.
The Community Workout at Pier 84 was a testament to MVP’s unwavering commitment to its mission. By bringing together veterans, former professional athletes, and their supporters, MVP continues to build bridges of understanding and support. True North was proud to serve as a sponsor of this event and to provide food and beverages to all participants. With the backing of the True North Foundation and other, like minded, sponsors, MVP is poised to strengthen its impact and foster a thriving community in New York City and beyond.
If you would like to learn more about MVP or any of the other organizations we support, please visit The True North Foundation’s website and consider subscribing to our newsletter.