COMING TOGETHER TO CREATE CHANGE
WHAT IS COURSE FOR CHANGE
Course for Change is a mentoring program, which uses long distance running as a vehicle for change for at-risk and juvenile justice involved youth. Youth between the ages of 12-18 years of age train with adult mentors to run a half-marathon after 3 months of training.
Our Model
Is a holistic youth mentoring program that uses running to build perseverance, community and to create a Positive Youth Experience (PCE).
Our Goal
Is to train students complete a half-marathon. Building confidence, improving mental and physical health, and increase hope.
How does Course for Change train?
During the Spring and Fall semesters our students and mentors run three times a week. Training for three months leading up to a goal race.
We train three times per week:
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Tuesday and Thursday at 6PM
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Sunday afternoon at 3PM
Where does Course for Change train?
Youth and mentors train on the Oklahoma River Trails, meeting at the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower for each training session.
Do youth runners pay to participate in the program?
Course for Change is a free after school program. Youth that meet program attendance requirements can qualify for running shoes, gear and race registration fees.
Do you have to be a runner?
Course for Change is open to all students ages 12-18. There is no pace requirements or running experience needed. Our mission is to use running to improve physical and mental health and increase hope in youth.
When I first decided to bring some of my students, I didn’t expect this program to hold their interest. Of the 8 students who started, I expected no more than 3 to finish. And since I was going to run as long as they did, it might have been the first time I hoped they would quit something. But they blew my expectations out of the water when all 8 were at the final training sessions, and all but one participated in the half-marathon. To say I was impressed is an understatement.
I’m a fan of anything that gets other positive influences engaging in the lives of young people. The mentors were all down-to-earth and from a wide range of occupations. They were extremely encouraging to the students, and even though they were all experienced runners, they had a patience and humility about the way they responded to the kids. Several of the kids hope to participate in Season 2, and I think that speaks volumes about the mentors and program as a whole.
RON STIDHAM,
Director of Urban Missions at Hope for Generations