When I was a kid in the 80’s I was an anti-nuclear activist. I joined a number of weeks and months-long peace marches in the U.S. and abroad, walking mile after mile together with my fellow peace marchers who were mostly adults. At age 12 I felt compelled to work for a more humane world and future. Now at 48 while tenaciously keeping afloat my pandemic-hobbled indie-rock singer-songwriter career and figuring out how the heck to parent a 4 year-old, I don’t find myself exercising my activist muscles much as I did when I was younger. But I do know, now more than ever, that old Robert Fulghum quote is still so unfortunately relevant. You know the one: “It will be a great day when our schools have all the money they need, and our air force has to have a bake-sale to buy a bomber”.
The question of why New York City’s free universal pre-K program leaves most schools with a severe funding gap requires a long and complex answer, that will require many years of hard work to remedy. So, in the meantime we parents, teachers and staff at One World Project are taking the task of filling that funding gap into our own hands, or feet as it were, in the most active and celebratory way we can. Our team is running the Brooklyn Half Marathon on April 23rd and we are asking you to pledge your support! No amount is too small or too large. In addition to closing the funding gap in order to solvently run the pre-K program, OWP strives to provide financial aid for all families who wish to attend its programs, no matter their means.
I started running when I was 30 and have run a few marathons and half marathons in the past, but an injury early in the pandemic kept me from running for the past several years. I am thrilled to be running again and am taking great care to not get injured during this training time so I can complete the Brooklyn Half together with my OWP team. And the truth is, even before I was pregnant with Ara, I dreamed that someday I’d have a kid who could help cheer me across the finish line as I completed my next big race. I am very much looking forward to that!
On Saturday, March 21 we’ll be running or walking the Brooklyn Spring 5K, 10K a wonderful event that will allow all our team to pick the race that is best for them.
Friday, April 24 is La Vuelta. We’ll gather at One World Project and the kids (and some grownups) will run, walk or scoot along Vanderbilt, down East 4th, along Greenwood Avenue, and up East 3rd. After the loop, we’ll gather on the patio for a party with upcycled medals for all participants. In Spanish, la vuelta means loop, like the one we’ll do around the block. Vuelta also means return. If your children have grown and you are no longer part of our preschool or after school program please consider La Vuelta an invitation to return to OWP for a visit. We would love to see you!
On Sunday, April 26 we will join half marathoners for NYC Runs, an epic running journey. The route starts in North Brooklyn and winds around the waterfront taking you under the historic Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges. From there, the route heads up the grand concourses of Fulton Street & Flatbush Avenue before passing through Grand Army Plaza and into historic brownstone Brooklyn. We will turn into Prospect Park at mile 10 to complete our 13.2 miles.
With love and care we have built a nurturing school and community center committed to learning. We want to sustain what makes One World Project so special and grow our scholarship fund and support our Universal PreK program so that OWP is accessible to more families. Together we are working to raise $50,000.
We truly appreciate anything you are able to give.
