This will be my 3rd year running 13.1 miles for One World Project, and I have never been more determined to train and finish and raise money to support phenomenal early education and my daughter’s incredible school community.
OWP is truly a unique beacon of learning and exploration that feels crucial to support for years to come. Through Spanish immersion and caring teachers who are dedicated to fostering social-emotional development and greater equity through play, my daughter and her friends are confident and curious and kind as they learn to be elements of positive change in the environment and the world.
I ran the first year for the first time as a mom, which connected me to when I first ran a race 20 years before, in memory of my mom. Last year, I ran to raise funds for the scholarship fund for the 2’s and 3’s programs, and to help bridge the funding gap for the two free Universal Pre-K classes that don’t receive enough from the DOE to cover much of the enhanced programs like music and the community garden or healthcare for the staff.
This year, my daughter is 4, and in her last year attending UPK at OWP, all the clichés are happening – she is growing up way too fast, how is she already going to Kindergarten next year, can we freeze time please??!?! But it is incredibly clear how 3 years of Spanish-language learning and arts education and the love and support at OWP has played a huge part in the energetic, caring, and creative individual she is, and how connected our family feels to this special place.
It is going to be physically challenging to do this again – the last time I ran at all was crossing the half marathon finish line last April, and I am not sure I have the time or strength to make it happen. But then I think about mile 12.5 in last year’s race after an exhausting morning running through the rain where there was a large group of OWP friends and families cheering. My daughter ran into the road and jumped in my arms… and then her friend followed her and wanted a hug, too, and then a third friend followed for a hug. And there are no words to describe that feeling of holding her in that moment and feeling the love of the families and friends we’ve made.
And that is really it. This year, I’m simply running for her, and for them, in gratitude.
If you have the means, please consider donating. Gracias from my family and many others!
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.
