NYRR’s Youth Programs Teach Valuable Life Skills with the Help of Dedicated Donors
“As a Youth Ambassador, I was able to overcome my fears of public speaking. Being part of RFTF helped me realize the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle—mentally, socially, and physically.” - Aliceana Lin, RFTF Alumna and Former RNYRR Youth Ambassador
Aliceana Lin found joy in running and learned valuable life skills while participating in
NYRR Run for the Future, a free seven-week program that introduces NYC young women to the sport of running while also teaching them goal setting to develop the ability, confidence, and motivation to be active for life. She became a
Rising New York Road Runners Youth Ambassado
r after participating in a six-week public-speaking training workshop that helps participants improve their presentation and communication skills by speaking at special New York Road Runners events.
We asked her about her participation in RFTF and RNYRR and how these programs helped shape her motivation to keep moving and improving.
How has being an RFTF Alumna and Youth Ambassador helped you achieve your goals?
Being part of both programs really helped me improve my confidence. As a Youth Ambassador, I was able to overcome my fears of public speaking. Being part of RFTF helped me realize the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle—mentally, socially, and physically.
What are your favorite parts of the RFTF and Youth Ambassador programs?
Our first orientation meeting where we got our new gear and met our coaches and new teammates, and our graduation at the Harlem 5K was one of the best experiences. My favorite part of the Youth Ambassadors program was when I got to speak at the NYRR Hall of Fame and attend the 2019 Night of Champions with other Youth Ambassadors. I presented Olympian Jenny Simpson with an award at the NYRR Hall of Fame event and it was incredible.
What does it mean to you to be able to come back and be a Running Buddy to new RFTF participants?
It’s great to be able to support the RFTF participants through their first 5K race. A lot of it is a mental game because they trained hard for it over the spring or summer. Being able to run alongside them to support them and give them that mental support reminds me of when I first began running and it makes me happy that I can come back and help them out.
Why do you think that people should support this program?
These programs are a great way for youth to become more involved in learning the benefits of exercise especially in this technology dominated era. The Youth Ambassadors program is an awesome program that allows youth to learn about public speaking while talking about what they love—running! RFTF gives girls another chance to incorporate exercise into their busy lives. I love seeing RFTF alumnae at races because it shows that the program has made an impact on their lives.
Support That Helps Shape Young Runners’ Lives
“I know first-hand the powerful impact that sports can make in a person’s life. From physical to emotional well-being to teaching and cultivating core values, essential life skills and healthy habits, athletics are an invaluable tool to support young people’s success.” - Valerie Hartman, NYRR Donor & Achilles International Support Runner and Guide
Valerie Hartman knows how important it is for young women to succeed in sports and in life. A runner herself, she believes in programs such as Run for the Future and has
contributed valuable funds that will help NYRR continue to motivate and inspire the next generation of runners like Aliceana develop new skills and achieve their goals.
Valerie's setting her own goals and running the
SHAPE + Health Women’s Half-Marathon on April 10.
Why did you decide to support the Run for the Future program?
Making a positive and productive impact on the world around me is a priority. I am dedicated to leaving my community and the world in a better, healthier, stronger place than I found it. I have a particular interest in cultivating and accelerating young women to positions of leadership. Run for the Future squarely fits into that priority and set of values.
I know first-hand the powerful impact that sports can make in a person’s life. From physical to emotional well-being to teaching and cultivating core values, essential life skills and healthy habits, athletics are an invaluable tool to support young people’s success. I am super excited to support Run for the Future as I believe that it will engage, teach, and motivate a diverse group of young women in creative and fun ways that will have a lasting, long-term impact.
What is it about Run for the Future that inspires you?
I am inspired by the breadth, accessibility, and potential positive and purposeful impact of the program, with its strong multidimensional curriculum and deep commitment to serve a diverse group of New York City young women in an inclusive environment. Using running as a catalyst to teach and cultivate healthy habits, strong core values, and essential life skills strikes me as a powerful vehicle to make long-term, wide-ranging, and foundational, systemic positive change—impacting these young women as well as the communities that they live and work in.
Why are you running the SHAPE + Health Women’s Half-Marathon?
I am focused on mentoring, cultivating, and supporting young women to positions of leadership. The SHAPE + Health Women’s Half-Marathon combines many of my core passions and values. Utilizing sports as a vehicle to empower women to live active, healthy lifestyles and step into their unique, authentic power is a winning combination.
How did you first get involved with NYRR?
I got my first real exposure to the professionalism and excitement of NYRR when I decided to run the New York City Marathon in 2018. With my dear dad dying of cancer, I realized I wanted to do something big and meaningful that we could share. I entered as a charity team runner that year and raised money for a charity that reflected our shared values. That experience transformed my life. NYRR has been supportive each step of the way. Between the vast array of races and experiences, the incredible outreach programs, the staff professionalism and enthusiasm and the core mission of the organization, I am most grateful to be a part of NYRR.
How has NYRR and/or running influenced your life?
The beauty of running is its simplicity and accessibility. No matter where I travel in the world, all I need is a pair of running shoes and my curiosity. Besides keeping my body and mind healthy, running has been the vehicle to meet a wide variety of people as well as to explore and see interesting places around the globe. NYRR helps to support my interest in both my personal running journey as well as making a positive impact in the community.
Making an Impact
Like Valerie, your contribution can help shape the next generation of runners while making an impact in their communities. When you donate, you will help us continue providing runners of all ages and abilities the opportunity to keep moving through free running events, in-person and virtual races, as well as vital community programs such as NYRR Run for the Future.