Join me in supporting young people in Philadelphia find the power of themselves through running.
When I was 15 years old, I joined the RCS track and field team mostly because I thought the tshirts were cool. 15 years later, running and sports has been the most important throughline of who I am and how I've grown personally and professionally. I can trace my longest friendships, my favorite jobs, and my social-emotional skills all back to that decision to join the track team.
Now, I am a trauma therapist and work alongside a team of Community Health Worker Peers to promote mental health knowledge and healing. My organization partners with Students Run Philly Style in their MileUp diversion program, which is designed to keep kids out of the criminal legal system. We run groups for these young people in which we have honest vulnerable conversations about trauma, loss, grief, self-care, self-awareness, and growth. I see first hand every day the healing that can occur when young people can share their true selves and get tools to continue navigating difficulties in their lives.
In the past I've run the Broad Street 10 Miler to remind myself that I still love to run. This year, I'm running for my community. I know the power of running and I know the power of healing through sport. Join me in donating to ensure that Students Run Philly Style can continue to provide these opportunities for young people.
From SRPS: Serving 1,500 youth annually, the Students Run Philly Style mentoring models pairs youth ages 12-18 with volunteer mentors. Together, youth and volunteers train alongside each other as they prepare for a full or half marathon. Since 2004 Students Run Philly Style has created a movement of healthy young people in Philadelphia--a movement that has touched multiple generations of families and impacted the lives of its participants. For more about their organization, check out studentsrunphilly.org
