Today was the annual Strachan Hartley Legacy Foundation Run. Like the founder of the Foundation, Aimee-Noel (Hartley) Mbiyozo, it is one of my favourite days of the year and I have only missed one out of 12 due to work travel.
I wrote before about why it means so much to me. It brings together family and community, and helps at-risk youth who really deserve a chance.
The money raised goes to Streetfront, a local organization that provides alternative programs for kids who otherwise would not find the opportunity to succeed.
Streetfront organizer Trevor Stokes spoke today about what the foundation means to the kids that SHLF provides funding for. Then one of the students came up and shared her own experience of having gone through the program and having her life completely turned around.
This 16 year old graduate of the Streetfront spoke with confidence, assurance and passion about where she surely would have been if not for people believing in her and the support of Streetfront. Looking at her now, you would not believe that she is going to be anything but successful.
It’s astounding to understand that she may have been on a very different path otherwise. My heart burst a bit when after she spoke I witnessed her giving a big hug off to the side to Mary Ann, the mom of Strachan. It felt like full circle and that Strachan’s wish to make a difference truly has happened.
So, make a difference to someone else. Big or small. Whatever that means to you.
Perspectively Yours 