Run The Streets Helps Local Youth Reach Goals

Oct 26, 2011

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. October 14, 2011 – 

Three days a week, she ran side by side with her mentor.  They covered over 200 miles of training and races together and by the end of the 15 week season, Brianna Brown, who at first struggled to run one mile, finished her first half-marathon.

Brown, a tenth grader, is one of many youth who have completed the Run the Streets program since its inception in 2009.  RTS is a mentoring program for at-risk youth, offered through a unique partnership with the Richard Kane YMCA and the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs. 

The goal of RTS is to reduce delinquent recidivism and drug use in a cost effective manner through exposing delinquent youth to adult mentors in a distance running program. RTS also strives to improve the health and fitness of at-risk youth using mentors to motivate the youth to achieve fitness and health goals.

“I used to have a lot of trouble at home and I got put into Run the Streets,” said Brown.  “I had a mentor and she was great, she really took me in when times were hard for me and helped me through it.”

Brown is part of a large number of youth who have participated in the program over the years.

“We've had 110 youth finish the program during the first four seasons, logging a cumulative 25,000 miles of running. Enough miles to run around the earth, once!” said Bob Williams, Run the Streets Program Developer.  “We are halfway through Season Five and have 40 kids on track to complete the Route 66 Half Marathon on November 20.”

RTS is a program offered by the Richard Kane YMCA.  The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The YMCA focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

The YMCA is a member agency of the Bartlesville Regional United Way, who is currently conducting their annual fundraising campaign. RTS is one of the five YMCA programs that BRUW helps fund.

"Run the Streets could never have happened without the generosity of the Bartlesville Regional United Way, the foresight of the Richard Kane YMCA and the incredible commitment of our mentors,” said Williams. “Hundreds of kids will run hundreds of miles as a result of these individuals and agencies having the vision to take a risk on a one of a kind program, unique to Washington County,” said Williams.

“The hardest part about Run the Streets was probably the way you have to think when you’re running,” said Brown.  “If you think about running 13 miles all at once it’s really hard, but once you get through the block in your mind it gets a lot easier.”

RTS is open to all youth in Washington County between the ages of 12 and 18 but is also available as a voluntary alternative to traditional probation for delinquent youth.  Youth can choose to participate in the program in lieu of traditional probation and complete their probation, simply by completing RTS.

“My favorite part was the bonding and how close you get with everyone and how much support there is,” said Brown.  “There was a boy who was the slowest runner and at the half marathon everyone ran him in to the end of the marathon.  So we have a really good support system.”

Prior to RTS, there were no programs in Washington County available to at-risk youth which incorporated mentors directly in the physical activity. Now, youth are able to spend more than 50 hours with their mentors over the course of the season.

 “One of the surprising things we found about RTS is that youth who are cleared of their probation through the program voluntarily return the next season,” said Williams.

 “Run the Streets has affected my life because before I was there I had a lot of problems and couldn’t reach my goals.  And I realized at first that running 13 miles is ridiculous and I couldn’t even finish one mile.  If you make little goals to work toward you can make it up to a huge one and it’s a lot easier than it sounds.”

For more information on the Richard Kane YMCA call 918-336-0713 or visit www.bvillefamilyymca.org.  

The Bartlesville Regional United Way’s Annual Campaign is underway. To find out how you can contribute to the Richard Kane YMCA or other member agencies, contact the BRUW office at 918-336-1044, 501 S. Johnston Ste. 550, Bartlesville, OK 74003 or visit www.bartlesvilleuw.org. 

 

{Written by Megan Mueller.  Originally featured in the Examiner-Enterprise}

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