L.A. MARATHON CLOSE AT HAND
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Message from the Executive Director
Over the last several weeks, I have had some very robust conversations about what compassion looks like. Recently our strategic planning team was discussing values statements intended to capture the essence of what SRO means and how we want to evolve SRO's mission. We talked about high standards and expectations, encouraging young people to excel through commitment, hard work and personal accountability.
A spirited debate ensued as some members of the team felt that these statements seemed hard and didn't embody the value of being compassionate which they felt should be core to SRO.
More recently we had to communicate to a few of our students that they would not be traveling to Los Angeles for the marathon, as they did not fulfill their commitment. This is challenging every year as volunteers, staff and I grow attached to students and while we encourage them to remain in the program, it is a disappointment when a student doesn't qualify for the Los Angeles trip. Again this year, there was a feeling by some that we could be more compassionate with a few suggesting that we empathize more with the students and consider altering the requirements or making exceptions for that particular young person that they were lobbying for.
While compassion means to feel with and to put ourselves in someone else's shoes, I've realized that what is truly complicated is the next step - determining how to act on it.
My compass for how best to help the young folks we serve is to empathize with them and the challenging life circumstances that many of them face at such impressionable ages. But to still hold them accountable since this is what life will demand if they are to become self-sustaining, contributing members of society. We can best prepare them with knowledge, support and tools to achieve their goals.
One way this is accomplished is that each student in SRO has to fulfill a community service requirement as part of his or her contract. We do this to instill the value of giving back and being involved in one's community. We want them to be compassionate and to value their ability to make a difference by helping others. In this edition, I invite you to read about our young people giving their time and service recently to the San Francisco Food Bank and chaperoning children with disabilities at their dance.
As an organization, I believe that we will always grapple with this complicated motivation to sympathize or empathize, the desire and passion to help. The challenge is but how best and what form that help should take. Sometimes it will simply be about lending a hand to someone in need. But more often than not, it will be about addressing inequities and giving our young people the tools for them to change their destiny.
"Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward." - Henry Ford
Spencer Hooper
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| WITHOUT LIMITS
 There is winning and there is losing in sport, but the truly resolute know that running one's first marathon is a beast unto itself; an immeasurable success. On the eve of the impending event we can look back over the last few months and recognize the values that the students, volunteers, and SRO have all brought to support each other and reach goals many once thought might have been unattainable. To say it has been challenging would be an understatement. Few things worth boasting about, however, come without considerable effort, sacrifice, and in this case, pain.
"I thought shopping was exercise until SRO," senior Estella Taylor deadpanned as she completed her last 10-mile run before the potluck celebration. Sure it was a funny statement that had many volunteers chuckling along, but for students who never imagined submitting to the physical and mental rigors of marathon training, completing such a journey is no laughing matter. Applause is a more apt gesture to accompany a statement such as Estella's. Overall, the complicated emotions of being excited at how next weekend will unfold and the terror of what those 26.2 miles will do to the body have been competing for dominance as the students taper down.
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For some, taking the run one step at a time is an exercise in training the mind to see beyond self-imposed limitations. Achievement begins on an individual level by making the commitment to see the season through to the best of their ability. The transformative effects on all involved in this season's efforts continue to pay off week after week. SRO does not make every student love running. On the contrary, students like senior Jordan Hadden mention how running is not even on her list of favored activities even though she's looking forward to being able to run through the streets of Los Angeles and "not having to loop," in reference to the circular training routes students run on the weekends. When asked why she stuck with the program in defiance of her asthma and frequent physical discomfort she remarks, "I already started, I can't just quit." Such firmness of purpose will serve Jordan well as she embarks on her collegiate career. She has already been accepted into CSU and Shaw University but is still eagerly anticipating an acceptance to Howard University in Washington D.C.
Students have been challenged to push beyond limitations, give back to their communities, and improve their grades,. It has been a rocky year for many. Those of us who remember adolescence can relate to the myriad changes and challenges that teenage years bring. But with the additional support of volunteers, friends, and family, SRO participants have shown strength of character, consistency of purpose, and the requisite discipline necessary for success in life. We have no doubt each one will head into the summer aiming their ambition a little bit higher.
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GRACIOUS NEIGHBORS On February 6, students and SRO volunteers gathered at the San Francisco Food Bank. Tasked with packaging over 3,300 pounds of rice to be distributed to families throughout the city, students showed their enthusiasm, work ethic, and empathy to help a struggling community. Jackie Villalobos smiled, "It was fun. I would have liked to give the food directly to the families but it was still fun. Cold, but fun."
Volunteers Steve Roberts and Katie Wojnoonski both remarked what a treat it was to work side by side with students as they formed an assembly line to position the 50-pound bags, weigh out each pound, seal, sticker, and box up food to go out for families. Students' thoroughness and concentration during the day's activities were immediately impressive. "It was great seeing them pitch in to make a difference. I could see they really got it." said volunteer Steve Roberts.
Since a 1-pound bag of rice feeds a family of 3 for a single meal, admiration for students who eschewed a Saturday off to give their time and energy for those less fortunate is well deserved. An additional cadre of students spent February 19 chaperoning children with disabilities and special health care needs at their annual Valentine's Day Dance in Berkeley. During both events, students made SRO staff and volunteers proud as they exemplified the qualities of true champions. |
| As we head to LA this weekend, we'd like to thank you all for your continued support.
Sincerely, Alison Cross, SRO newsletter editor
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In This Issue | | WITHOUT LIMITS | | GRACIOUS NEIGHBORS |
FOR RACE DAY:
* stretch * stay hydrated * adjust pace * keep eating * listen to your body
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