Course for Change is a new mentoring program designed to help children in Oklahoma City have positive experiences through physical fitness.
Many use running to clarify, but Course for Change uses it as a means to make a difference.
“This can be used as an opportunity to interact with the children. Just today, the young man I was with today, we just had a conversation about random things, but I think that helps, “said the Oklahoma City Police Department. Dan Stewart said. “It makes an impression. I think it’s just something when kids get older they can look back on that time as a positive time. “
Course for Change is a program that uses running as a means of mentoring young people at risk.
“It’s like a crutch, you know, especially when you have nothing else to yourself,” said participant DeMarion Fields. “It’s like a motivational issue. You can always think back, like almost any time, I can think of someone who has always rooted for me. ”
“They are actually pretty nice people. You are not mean. You don’t judge mentally. They give you good advice on what to do, ”the participant told Blessed Fields.
The program’s mentors range from Oklahoma City police officers to National Guard soldiers, all of whom train to take part in a marathon at the end of the program.
“When children can set goals and achieve goals, it can have many positive effects,” said Dana Hill, program manager, Course for Change. “By doing this program and training for and doing a half marathon, you can achieve other positive things in your life and translate them in many positive ways.”
Members of the program will be running the Red Coyote Marathon on May 8th. This is the first season of the program. Her second season will begin later this fall.
