2023 Run Across May newspaper

RAISE THE STANDARD

Many of our LA participants and teams showed up the last Sunday in May to complete their final miles together on a track. One runner in particular, Iggy Rosas from Long Beach, CA, completed his final 52 miles on this day. 52 represents the mileage of the last day of our Run Across Haiti. This has become a tradition now, for the third year in a row, a day for our community to come together. Many LA run clubs and Run Across Haiti alumni showed up to support our work and our families

STRONGER AS A COMMUNITY

Dear Readers,

We did it! We completed our 4th Annual Run Across May.

Going into our fourth RAM was probably one of the most challenging given the lock down and unrest in Haiti. While immense progress has been made for some of our families, others have faced their toughest days due to the fuel crisis, gang violence, business and school closures, and more. There's so much our team deals with each day that we've not experienced before. I'm grateful that we all choose to get back up and do it again each day.

We get to do this work because of you, our community. In these pages, you'll find dedicated community members like Iggy, Esther, and Ozzie, who not only ran across Haiti with us, but show up to our 52-miles day year after year.

One of the things I loved to hear during the month of May was how our community supported each other. The camaraderie between our teams was so heartfelt and you kept each other motivated to outperform your own goals. Check out our teams list, the amounts you've each raised, and the miles you've all completed. Be so proud.

I also want to highlight our sponsors, most of whom have been with us for multiple years. We love

them as sponsors but we love them as people even more. The folks behind these brands are hands down some of the best humans on earth.

You'll also find highlights of our programming and services that our families have the opportunity to participate in because you decided to show up for them, for your community, and for yourself. Even in the midst of a challenging year, our team is confident in the outcomes our programs can deliver and have the numbers to show for.

We're so excited about our newspaper format, huge kudos to Danny Chambers and James Gall from our team. We'd love to hear what you think. On the last page, we included some fun things for

you to enjoy so grab a cup of coffee or tea and dive in.

Last but not least, without Nelly Alonso and Christina Shanafelt, and the rest of our Team, I wouldn't be here sharing our RAM summary. You've all heard from them, felt their passion to deliver on our mission, and responded to their calls to action. Thank you. The work doesn't stop here, but today, we get to celebrate this incredible milestone because of you.

We hope you'll enjoy the stories and highlights in these pages and make the decision today to join us again next year.

For our families..., Vivien Luk Executive Director

Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors!

40,134

$188,806

266

41

1,992

20

*pending partnership campaigns that are wrapping up and company matches that are en route.

and finish those final miles as a community.

HEALTH

Participant Activities

We believe that Health is a Human Right. No matter the circumstance, we ensure our families have access to medical care so illnesses don’t get in the way of progress. Our Senior Program Manager, Christie Saint-Croix, spoke with our Health Program Coordinator, Nicole Filsaime (pictured here), about our Health Program to share how they’ll use the funds you raise to support our families’ health outcomes. Scan the QR code to watch the video.

The health program was originally designed in recognition of the importance of good health as a foundation for success in all areas of life. That's why we ensure that all our families have full access to medical care. Through this program, we also make sure to empower our families and educate them about advocating for themselves and their families, while giving them knowledge of health in general.

Over the past few years, we've achieved outstanding results that demonstrate that we are going in the right direction. We've seen significant knowledge retention,

great punctual commitment, the development of tangible skills, and the establishment of a network that fosters the maintenance of good health practices within the community. We now have 100% of our families in Menelas and 75% of our families in Truitier who successfully graduated from the program. These results deserve to be celebrated, and we're proud that families have shown a keen interest in this program that has and will continue to serve them good.

Christie Saint-Croix Senior Program Manager

Ciele Athletics

Ciele Athletics™ aim is to move people to movement, to connection and to community through considered equipment and exceptional experiences. We focus on performance and protection, the gear is designed for athletes and adventurers of all kinds. We’re proud to participate in Run Across May presented by WORK for a fourth consecutive year, to support WORK’s vision of a world where poverty doesn’t exist, and families in Haiti can earn an income and care for their own.

LIFE SEEMS TO ONLY GET BUSIER. WITH TWO YOUNG KIDS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN SO MANY ACTIVITIES, I AM RUNNING FROM ONE EVENT TO ANOTHER. FREE TIME IS HARD TO COME BY, AND I DIDN’T THINK I WAS GOING TO DO RAM THIS YEAR. BUT, THEN I READ THE MOST RECENT EMAIL WITH UPDATES OF OUR FAMILIES IN HAITI AND THE CHALLENGES THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH. GANG VIOLENCE, AN UNSTABLE GOVERNMENT, INFLATION… THE EMAIL ALSO MENTIONS THE COURAGE OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO

CONTINUE TO ATTEND SCHOOL, ENTER THE WORK PROGRAM, AND GRADUATE FROM IT. WHEN I HEARD THE RECENT MEETING OF FAMILIES IN HAITI WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY, I KNEW I NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO DO MY SMALL PART. FOR THAT REASON, I WILL FIND THE TIME AND ENERGY TO RUN 200 MILES IN MAY TO SHOW THAT I STAND AND SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES IN HAITI WHO DEAL WITH CHALLENGES MORE SEVERE AND MORE DANGEROUS THAN JUST A BUSY LIFE SCHEDULE.

WORK HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ORGANIZATION VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART, FROM THE EMPLOYEES TO THE FAMILIES. THIS ORGANIZATION IS SO DEDICATED AND COMMITTED TO THE LONG TERM WORK OF BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND SHOWCASING THE BEAUTY OF HAITI AND ITS PEOPLE.

Elizabeth Ratta, walking and squats, Lincoln, VT

Ben Erdeljac, running, Pittsburgh,PA

The LATRAILKILLERS Team traveled 255 miles and raised $1,953.

Our friends at SHAPE Training in Pittsburgh, PA hosted an Athlete's Cardio Class on May 1st to help us kick off RAM.

Students and Faculty from Ingomar Middle school in Pittsburgh, PA hosted their annual Benefit Run and selected WORK for the fifth year in a row as one of their beneficiaries. Each student ran 1 mile and raised funds to support our families in Haiti.

EDUCATION

Children are the Future

Hi all! Our Education Program, the second pillar of our work, is very important for the progress and development of this community, particularly in helping our kids have an opportunity for a better future. A consistent and quality education is key to success for our school aged children in our community.

From this Program, we ensure that a complete package is offered to all of our kids and make sure none of them are neglected. For all of our kids, we provide the necessary resources including educational scholarships, transportation, school supplies and uniforms, daily snacks and the support of our tutors during after school programming. Our Education Program is truly a special one and we want to see each of our kids graduate from High School and have the opportunity to attend a University in Haiti.

Consistent access to education is a huge challenge for children in Haiti. Our Haiti Education Program Manager, Ynel Charles Jean, spoke with Macson, one of our students about the power of an education and how our Education Program has helped students like him become a rising star at his school. Scan the QR code to watch the video.

Students from our community have a 16% higher primary school graduation rate than the general population and a 33% higher secondary school graduation rate than the general population. This is largely thanks to each of your efforts during the Run Across May that helps to provide

education scholarships to our WORK students, which removes the financial barriers that heavily contribute to the general population’s lower graduation rates. We continue to expand this program as we work towards our goal of 100% of school-aged children having consistent access to an education as they work toward graduation and a good, dignified job when they grow up. Kids that dreamed to be in school are living the reality, those that have been struggling in school for years are getting the necessary additional resources and are now progressing. Many are being transferred to the top schools in the area and still are continuing to progress even further. Behaviors are changing with the new ideology of understanding and experiencing success. It’s definitely life changing and I am so proud to be a part of it. Thanks to you all for contributing to the transformation and changing of this community through our kids because we all believe that Education is the number one key they need to break the chains of poverty and the light to their future.

THE PEOPLE OF HAITI HAVE ENDURED SO MUCH DURING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, AND DESPITE THE CURRENT SITUATION, THE TEAM AT WORK CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE HAITIAN PEOPLE AND WORK TIRELESSLY TO CREATE WELL-PAYING JOBS. HONORED TO HELP AND SUPPORT IN THIS SMALL WAY.

Dean & Darcy Miller, running, Corvallis, OR

WHILE THE MAJORITY OF CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO PRIMARY SCHOOL, LESS THAN 50% HAVE THE FUNDS TO ACCESS SECONDARY SCHOOL AND ONLY 1% CAN ACCESS COLLEGE.

Ynel Charles Jean Haiti Education Manager

Brew Gentlemen

Since 2015, the organization has brought a team of runners and crew members to travel across Haiti on foot - 200 miles in 8 days – to show that Haiti is not a place to be feared or to be pitied and to raise funds to accompany their families out of poverty for good. I was selected to participate as a runner the year it got canceled because of the pandemic.

When the 2020 Run Across Haiti was canceled, the runners (including myself and two friends who were going to relay together) and crew wanted to continue support, so the Run Across May was born and now here to stay. Instead of running 200 miles across Haiti, we pivoted to a virtual challenge across the month of May to allow participants to commit to 200 miles from their own city.

Brew Gentlemen has supported WORK since 2018 and is excited to deepen the partnership through a collaboration – a 200 Miles IPAinspired by flavors of Haiti. Proceeds from each beer sold benefits the families WORK serves. We’re thrilled to continue to take our partnership and fundraising efforts to the next level each year.

- Matt Katase, cofounder and CEO of Brew Gentlemen

TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND SHOW OTHERS THAT NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE, WHERE YOU’RE FROM, RUNNING IS ALWAYS INCLUSIVE. EVERY PACE HAS ITS PLACE.

Lizette Marroquin, a mixture of miles based activities, Los Angeles, CA

THIS IS MY FOURTH YEAR (REALLY?) OF FUNDRAISING FOR RAM. WORK, WITH ITS TRIPLE-BOTTOM-LINE APPROACH TO EVERYTHING IT DOES, IS LIKE A SLASHER FLICK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL. WORK IS COURAGE. WORK IS HARD WORK. WORK IS SMART. WORK IS CUNNING AND AMBITIOUS. GRAB A SHOVEL, DUDE - THERE'S WORK TO BE DONE! Martin Black, cycling, Oakmont, PA 50%

Runners taking on 7 miles during the first leg of the Runapalooza event hosted by Latinos Run LA & LADWPacers RAM team in Los Angeles.

Runners who attended our WORK X Traces panel in Montreal, Quebec.

The Yinz Run Club (YRC) Team traveled 3,1150 miles and raised $18,845.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Achieving Financial Independence

Hey everyone! I’d like to share the third pillar of our work, our Workforce Development Program (WFD). As a part of WFD, our families participate in our Life Skills program, which consists of 9 sessions that teaches our adults foundational knowledge and skills that can be applied to any job path they pursue. These sessions include: ethics, planning ahead, goal setting, decision making, finance and budgeting, communications, conflict resolution, negotiations, and stress management.

Once Life Skills workshops are complete, our adult family members move into our Small Business Program (SBP). Our Small Business Program trains, invests in, and mentors our family members as they work towards creating businesses that provide them with a living income.

Strava Highlights

Despite all the challenges we faced this past year in Haiti, our family members have made progress and our programming has remained available to all of them. Our team and families have been working very hard for the past several months to keep programs moving forward and to put in place a system in order for us to keep progressing. With that being said, we recently had 26 participants in our SBP pitch their small business for an investment and we invested in all of them! Our soon to be small business owners will grow their income and finally be financially stable to take care of themselves and their families.

Saw a snail on my outing and was reminded that slow & steady wins the race. Cheers to a successful Day

When we first began our work nearly a decade ago, we recognized that with a 60% unemployment rate in Haiti, we needed to create jobs that would both support the communities and create a workforce that could service those community needs. Today, our Workforce Development Program consists of Life Skills, Small Business Program, and Graduation to Financial Independence. Our Program Coordinators and Instructors in Haiti, Armelie and Keslin, share the key components of our Workforce Development Program and the success stories from two of our family members. Scan the QR code to watch the video.

Throughout 6 workshops, participants learn business skills with classes covering problems and solutions in the business world, market value, customer service, profit and loss statements, personal income, reinvestment and savings. Following the 6th workshop, program participants pitch their business plans for the opportunity to receive a start up business investment, all supported by your donations.

To each of you who commit to this difficult work in order for us to create much more dignity for our families, I want to thank you for this because it means a lot to me, my family, our families in Menelas and Truitier, and our team.

Lowboy and Wolf & Crane

Lowboy and Wolf & Crane are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to support WORK. We have seen first hand that they have been making a real difference in Haiti since we’ve partnered with them in 2016. Their unwavering dedication to empowering and uplifting communities out of poverty has left a lasting impact on us. We greatly admire their commitment to the Haitian families and their creative initiatives, like Run Across May, that provide valuable support. We look forward to continuing our partnership with WORK and are truly thankful for the inspiration and positive change they bring to the table.

- Dan Baeza, Creative Director, Park Hospitality and Run Across Haiti Alum

Feel

The Downtown Runners Long Beach Team traveled 183 miles and raised $4,360.

BECAUSE RUNNING ACROSS HAITI IS NOT POSSIBLE, THE ABSOLUTE BEST WAY TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING OUR FAMILIES AND ALL THE GOOD THAT WORK DOES IS TO RUN ACROSS MAY AND CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MISSION.

Nick Snyder, running, Waynesboro, PA

Escane Joseph Haiti Country Manager

AS A RUNNER, BORN AND RAISED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE SOMETHING I AM DEEPLY PASSIONATE ABOUT TO HELP A COMMUNITY I GREW UP NEXT TO. Miguel

running, Pittsburgh, PA

MENTORSHIP

I STARTED RUNNING A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND SINCE THEN RUNNING HAS BEEN A VERY PERSONAL JOURNEY. I THINK AS I HIT A NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE, I WANTED TO ALSO START APPROACHING THE THINGS I SPEND MY TIME ON WITH MORE INTENTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY. RAM IN A WAY IS AN AVENUE FOR ME TO BE INTENTIONAL WITH WHY I SPEND SO MUCH TIME RUNNING (LOL), THAT ALSO EXTENDS BEYOND MYSELF AND FURTHER INTO MY COMMUNITY.

Our 2023 Teams Amount Raised Total Miles

RUNNING OR NOT HERE WE COME

YRC

RAD MAX FURY ROAD 2023

THE STREETS BEAST

RAH ALUMNI TEAM

TEAM KOMINOTE

GIRLGANGCRAZY

KEEP IT RUN HUNDRED

DOWNTOWN RUNNERS LB

LOS CARABINERS 2023

KOREATOWN RUN CLUB

THE BREAKFAST RUN CLUB

BUNS AND GUNS CREW

THE HISSING GEESE AT ECHO PARK LAKE

BADDIES WHO RUN

After completing our Workforce Development program our family members move into the second phase of the program: individual mentorship. Our family members work with a mentor to refine their small business plan and set individualized goals for unlocking their second and subsequent investments. Our mentors are our leaders in our community and lend a helping hand to the next family in need. Our Haiti Country Manager, Escane Joseph, and one of our graduates and mentors, Louisnel Desulme, speak on the importance of community leadership. Scan the QR code to watch the video.

Investing in Our Leaders

One of our core values is to finish the job. We break cycles of poverty by defining and treating root causes with those we serve, whether that takes us 10 days or 10 years.

Our goal has always been to work ourselves out of our community. To do that, we ask every family that joins our program to set goals, participate fully, engage openly, and that when they graduate out of our program, they lend a helping hand to the next family in need.

We didn't really know what that last part meant at the start and it's one that we wanted our families to shape with us. A couple of years ago, when the unrest began and the pandemic hit, we saw our families who have graduated and are near graduation stepping up in ways

that defined this path forward.

Today, we have community leaders who have graduated, are near graduation, or have an interest in supporting their neighbors becoming anchors in the community. They are an extension of our program team who go door to door during emergencies to ensure their neighbors are ok and have what they need, and mentor new Small Business Program participants and at times, even becoming their source for products. They are our health advocates, and they relay feedback to help us improve our programs and services.

As more family members graduate, more community leaders step up to the plate to accelerate our work, which also allows us to scale to new neighbors at a quicker pace.

La Sportiva

Since 1928, La Sportiva has been producing the world’s leading mountain footwear out of their family-owned and operated headquarters in Ziano di Fiemme, Italy. As a 1% For The Planet member, a POW Alliance member, Blue Sign approved manufacturer, and a leading innovator in recycled apparel and responsible footwear manufacturing, they are committed to protecting the natural spaces that their products are made to explore.

This was the first year La Sportiva joined the Run Across May. Their support through donations of 10 - $250 gift certificates to encourage, motivate and recognize our participants was much appreciated as we took on the journey of 200 miles in 31 days.

THIS CHALLENGE IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT BRINGS ABOUT AWARENESS TO AN UNDERSERVED COUNTRY. THIS WILL BE MY 4TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR SUPPORTING RUN ACROSS MAY AND I PLAN TO CONQUER THE CHALLENGE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO SUPPORT!

Angel Risher, running, Inglewood, CA

RIGHT ON TRACK

WHY WE RUN

CIELE FRNDS AND FAM - EAST COAST!

LATRAILKILLERS

LATINOS RUN LOS ANGELES AND LADWPACERS

TEAM HOWGOOD

TEAM WEPA NYC

CIELE FRNDS AND FAM- WEST COAST TEAM!

INSPIRED.RUNNERS

SIGNAL HILL RELAY RACE

WOLF PACK RUNNERS

CPI CARES!

KEEP RUNNIN' SANTA ANA

TEAM VERMONT

ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP A GOOD CAUSE, ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. IT IS MOTIVATING THAT BY BEING ACTIVE, SOMEONE’S ELSE’S LIFE COULD CHANGE OR THAT MY ACTIVENESS IS A POSITIVE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

Alicia Nunez, a mixture of miles based activities, Bellflower, CA

Anjelica Florendo, mixture of miles based activities, Brooklyn, NY

2023 Run Across May Crossword Puzzle

Ways to Stay Involved

We can’t thank you enough for your hard work and dedication during the Run Across May. For every mile completed, every dollar raised, and every message sent to share our work with your community, you’re helping a family member end poverty for good. You committed to joining us, you showed up for our families and for each other, and you helped to get the job done. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your efforts and for your continued support.

We invite you to join us in other ways to stay involved and see this work through.

1:1 CAMPAIGN

3. Raise the _______.

5. The most mountainous country in the Caribbean

Across

3. Raise the _______

8. Our program model approach

9. Our organization’s name

Down

1. “For Haiti” in Haitian Creole

2. Our first pillar of our programming

Down

1. “For Haiti” in Haitian Creole

4. Our partner, Brew Gentlemen’s limited and first release of this type of IPA

10. Our family members’ RAM Team name

12. Haiti’s most popular brand of beer

5. The most mountainous country in the Caribbean

13. One of the two official languages of Haiti

8. Our program model approach

16. A unit of linear measure equal to 1,760 yards.

9. Our organization’s name

https://crosswordlabs.com/view/2023-run-across-may-crossword-puzzle

10. Our family members’ RAM Team name

12. Haiti’s most popular brand of beer

13. One of the two official languages of Haiti

16. A unit of linear measure equal to 1,760 yards

18. Our go-to running app

19. The name of the community that the majority of our family members live in

20. Our mission is to accompany families in Haiti out of poverty through good, dignified ____

21. The color of the top vertical band of the Haiti Flag

2. Our first pillar of our programming

6. An official recognized religion in Haiti

7. The capital of Haiti

VOLUNTEER HOST A HOUSE PARTY 7/10/23, 9:44 AM 2023 Run Across May Crossword Puzzle

11. The number of states represented during this year ’s campaign

14. Our second pillar of our programming

4. Our partner, Brew Gentlemen’s limited and first release of this type of IPA

6. An official recognized religion in Haiti

7. The capital of Haiti

11. The number of states represented during this year’s campaign

14. Our second pillar of our programming

15. Our favorite GoCap collaboration partner

17. The first name of our Haiti Country Manager

19. The month our virtual Run takes place

1/2

Join us as a monthly donor, at $10 a month, to make a lasting impact on the families we work alongside. 100% of your donation will support our wrap around service model and programming for our families.

LUNCH & LEARN

Join us for a virtual coffee or lunch to learn more about our work, what's to come, and the impact of your participation and donations during the 2023 Run Across May. Invite your donors, friends and family to join.

At the end of each year, we celebrate our accomplishments at our annual gala, Bright Futures. We'd love to have you as a guest.

Looking to contribute your time, skills and experience? We’re always looking for passionate volunteers to support our mission throughout the year.

Host a house party or small get together with family and friends to share the impact of their donations to RAM and thank them for their support. One of our WORK team members would love to help plan and join you for the evening.

Join us at www.dowork.org to become a monthly supporter, learn more or explore our work deeper. For questions or to jump on a call, email: Nelly Alonso Engagement Manager nelly@dowork.org

By Luke McCambley @theorangerunner

@doworkorg www.dowork.org

2023 Run Across May Recap

The Los Carabiners 2023 Team climbed and traveled 985 miles and raised $3,167.