Youth at Ranch Ehrlo’s Lee House laced up, showed up, and conquered the Queen City Marathon on Sunday, September 8th.
Staff at Lee House leveraged the group’s strong interest and abilities in athletics to engage youth in a six-month sequential plan with a primary focus on health and wellness.
The Lee House sequential plan kicked off in early spring with a micro-goal to train and compete in Ranch Ehrlo’s annual 3-Mile Run. Following their success, youth went on to help plan and participate in the agency’s first-ever track and field day. The kids then kicked into high gear over the summer, training hard to achieve their end-goal: the Queen City Marathon (QCM). 
All of the youth ran the five-kilometre QCM race, and two boys opted to push themselves to the limit, finishing the half marathon.
“Training and engaging in something like a race contributes to the therapeutic experience for the kids,” said Al Patricio, youth care leader at Lee House. “They set a goal and were provided role models by the staff to challenge themselves and believe that they are capable of overcoming challenging situations.”
Every staff at Lee House participated in the QCM, running alongside the youth offering support every step of the way. While there were many emotions leading up to race day, Al said the butterflies dissipated when they arrived at the start line.
“It was hard, and I was really glad that I challenged myself,” said Tyler*, following his half-marathon. “This was something I didn’t think I could ever do. I am more confident in myself because I now know that I can overcome hard things.”
The 2024 QCM was the first for Lee House, but Al said it won’t be a last.
“Challenges like these are good because it reminds me that I care and that I’m passionate about this and I’m doing it for a bigger reason that it just being a race – it’s to prove to myself and others that I can overcome challenges.”
*Name changed for privacy
