Fit Philanthropy: Trading Probation for Running

While juvenile detention, group homes and probation are likely courses of action for teens in trouble with the law, one group believes in a different approach: running.

Now in its third year, Bartlesville, Okla.-based Run the Streets offers juvenile offenders an opportunity to voluntarily train for and complete a half marathon in lieu of probation or punishment.

"RTS is a program about redemption," said program founder, juvenile probation officer and runner Bob Williams. "The delinquent kids have an opportunity to redeem themselves in the eyes of the community, to be seen as successful and as achievers. Our adult mentors also have an opportunity to redeem themselves in the eyes of the youth, to be seen as caring, dependable and supportive."

The program has transformed lives, according to Williams, who sees the teens' self-confidence grow as the miles progress.

"I wanted to develop alternatives to traditional probation where kids would be internally motivated to change their behaviors rather than depending on external negative consequences, which are by and large ineffective," he said. "I thought that if kids voluntarily chose to participate in a running program where they had contact with positive adult mentors three times a week, they might decide to make some changes on their own."

And change they do.

Over the course of the 14-week program, barriers are dropped, negative behaviors decrease and trust develops. Not to mention physical abilities skyrocket. "We had one young man progress from not being a runner to running a three-hour, 20-minute marathon this year," said Williams. Another student, 14-year-old Rick, said the program helped him lose 40 pounds. Still others said RTS allowed them to build more self-esteem than anything else.

"I've never considered myself much of an athlete, so from a young age I convinced myself that I wouldn't achieve success in a sport or physical activity," said 14-year-old Becca. "Run the Streets has made it possible for me to find the most amazing sense of accomplishment I've ever felt, from something that I didn't even think I was capable of."

Running works for these kids according to Williams. "Out on the road, we are all equal. It doesn't matter if you're a district judge or a 14-year-old delinquent. The miles don't come any easier for one than the other."

The mentors also make the program work. Unlike traditional sports programs where there is a coach on the sideline telling the kids what to do, there is an invested mentor running every step of the way with the teens.

"I think that makes the program feel more genuine to the kids," said Williams who believes that talking with the teens while running breaks down barriers normally encountered in face-to-face conversations. "It's less threatening to the kids and the mentors. Also, what else are you going to do but talk during a ten-mile training run? We discourage the use of iPods for that very reason."

The kids nicknamed one of the mentors "White Lightning" because he has white hair and runs pretty fast for an "older guy." White Lightning said it amazes him that 16- and 17-year-old boys look forward to seeing him at each run. "The magic of the program is that the kids mentor us as much as we mentor them," said Williams.

In addition to having a high success rate of teens actually crossing the finish line at the half marathon, the program has shown promising results for those who were once deemed juvenile delinquents -- a label that can cause kids to continue in destructive patterns if it's not broken and if they are not taught to respect themselves and see their worth in life.

The relapse rate -- teens getting back into trouble -- for RTS finishers is 4 percent compared to 25 percent for youth who complete a six-month group home placement, which costs roughly $25,000. RTS teens are also 50 percent less likely to test positive for drugs or alcohol than the general delinquent population. "We're getting these results at a cost of about $350 per youth," said Williams, "which is about the cost of housing a teen in detention for three days."

Because of its success, the program is now open to teens of all backgrounds, not just those in trouble with the law.

According to RTS, kids today need what they have always needed: someone to believe in them, listen to them and be there consistently for them. And with the proper training and mentoring, they can run those miles with confidence.

"When I crossed the finish line, I felt like I could do anything, almost like I could fly," said 13-year-old Bailey who has participated every season. "My heart was pounding, but I thought if I could finish this, I could finish anything."

For more information on Run the Streets, visit the website.

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