'Course for Change' mentoring program seeking adult runners

Course for Change, a mentoring and running program which uses long distance running as a vehicle for change with at-risk youth, seeks adult runners to take kids through a 12-week training regimen. Training begins this February and culminates at the Red Coyote half-marathon in May. 

Adult mentors will be training 3 days a week for 12 weeks with youth participants. All Course for Change training runs and the final half-marathon will be held on the RIVERSPORT campus in the Boathouse District. With mentoring, runners can give back to their community and endow youth participants with valuable life lessons. Being a coach both in running and life, mentors will guide the youth participants toward completion of the final half-marathon.  

The aim of Course for change is to “challenge at-risk youth to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by providing them with a life changing experience” through running.  Steve Buck, formerly the executive director of Oklahoma’s Office of Juvenile Affairs, was inspired to create Course for Change after he saw teens and their mentors running in a Bartlesville, OK half-marathon. They were part of the Run the Streets program in Washington County, which was founded by former juvenile probation officer Bob Williams in 2009. 

Youth referrals for Course for Change OKC can be made through the juvenile justice system, mental health agencies, DHS, local law enforcement and other community partners. There is no charge for mentors or youth participants. All adult participants will need to pass a background check. 

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor should contact Dana Hill, Course for Change Program Manager, at [email protected] or 405-514-9624.