In the second of a four-part series, we learn about two organizations in the Towns of Brookline and Natick that are supported by the Boston Marathon and the impact this has on the local communities well beyond marathon day.
The Town of Brookline is the penultimate town runners pass through on their way to the finish line (miles 22.45 - 24.70). Team Brookline launched in 2012 with The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health leading the program that distributes their Boston Marathon entries to local non-profits. Since its inception, Team Brookline has organized more than 395 runners who have raised $3.42 million to benefit those who live, work, and go to school in Brookline.
This year Haley Medeiros is running as part of Team Brookline and she will be putting her best foot forward over the 26.2 miles in support of The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, an organization providing crucial mental health services and resources for children and families in need across New England.
As someone who experienced the transformative power of community mental health support during childhood, Haley knows firsthand how vital these services can be. Inspired by this personal experience, Haley pursued a career as a child psychologist, committed to supporting the mental health of children.
"The reality is that it can be a very scary world for a child. I witnessed the impact of community mental health services within my own family, and it’s what led me to pursue a career where I could help children through their toughest moments," said Medeiros. "The Brookline Center plays an essential role in providing counseling, therapy, and community support for children and families, and I am honored to raise funds for this cause while running the Boston Marathon, which has been a dream of mine for years."
For the past eight years, Medeiros has had the privilege of supporting children’s mental health through work at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Public Schools. Each day, Haley is inspired by the courage, resilience, and joy displayed by children facing adversity.
“Every child I work with touches my heart in a unique way, and I will carry their strength with me during each mile of the marathon,” said Medeiros. “I’m running for the kids I work with, knowing that my efforts will contribute to stronger mental health supports for children within my own community. Because every child, regardless of where they come from or what they are going through, deserves to be happy.”
Support Haley and The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health HERE.
The Town of Natick is the fourth of the eight towns and cities along the course, welcoming runners from miles 7.52 to 11.72.
Kids Connect, Inc. started 25 years ago by Debra Sayre when she moved back to Natick. With a background as a Social Worker, Probation Officer and Director of a Residential Drug treatment program, her interest was in the forgotten kids, the ones not eager to go home or who were already involved with poor choices. There was no money for drop-in programs at that time, but the Police Chief secured a grant to provide tutoring after school for middle school youth which they began in the Police station's Community Training Room.
A few months later, after approaching banks and local businesses, they moved to their current location on the second floor of a building in Natick Center with one room as a drop in and another for tutoring. Over the next five years dozens of youths were supported - many involved with drugs and on probation – and the tutors worked with struggling students. In that space, the tough guys were fed, lectured to, cared for and believed in. The struggling students learned they were brighter than they believed. The two populations mixed seamlessly in the space.
Debra shared, “Fundraising through the Boston Marathon has been a blessing and deeply appreciated. The community has been very supportive but over time the competition for funding has increased as more programs and causes come into being. These funds are so important for us to do our work and serve such an important need in the community.”
Running for Kid’s Connect are two brothers Josh and Aaron Belowich. Josh lives locally in Natick while Aaron lives in Washington D.C.
Josh: “I started running in 2009 in college when a friend asked me to join her half marathon team. I'd never run more than a mile beforehand, but I thought that it couldn't be too hard - I couldn't have been more wrong. Since then, I’ve run more than 20 half marathons, three Olympic-distance triathlons, and two marathons - never Boston though.
“Natick is a town that along with my family, I feel lucky to call home, and want to do my part to give back to the community that we feel fortunate to be a part of. Kids Connect is an incredible organization providing after school educational tutoring services to students of the Natick School System.
“It has always been a dream to run the Boston Marathon. Unlike some of the other great sporting events in the world, the average Joe cannot play in the Super Bowl or participate in the Olympics, but you can line up with the world's best and give your all for 26.2 miles.
“We grew up a few hundred yards away from mile 16.5 right before Newton-Wellesley Hospital and watched the Boston Marathon each year throughout our childhood marveling at the ability of people to run such a daunting distance. As I moved into Natick in 2019 and have watched from Natick Center, for the past 5 years, I've kept telling myself, that next year I'll run it. The next years kept stacking up and eventually, alongside my brother, we made the commitment to make 2025 our year. To do it alongside my brother is only going to enhance watching this lifelong dream come to reality and we cannot wait to tackle the iconic course together in April.
“Natick is a special place on marathon day. The residents come out and support not only the elites, but the commoners like us who are competing for pride and against our own expectations, all while fundraising for important local causes like Kids Connect.”
Aaron: “I really started running during the pandemic to get out of the house. I started with some five-mile runs, then ten-mile runs, then half marathons. This will be my first Boston Marathon, but I have run the Chicago, Richmond and Marine Corps Marathons, plus several half marathons and ten-mile races.
“I feel very blessed to have had a wonderful education, and it's important that every kid, regardless of their means - get a great education too. These funds ensure that everyone in Natick gets the very best education - and we owe a debt of gratitude to all the educators out there who help these kids thrive.
“I have such great memories of going every year to hand out water cups and cheer everyone on. The Boston Marathon is truly the pinnacle of the sport and to participate is a dream come true for any runner. This feels like such a full circle moment, having been so many times growing up. To become part of this rich tradition - Patriots' Day, 11:00am baseball, re-enactment of Lexington & Concord - this is what being from Massachusetts is all about. I'm most excited to see all the kids out there (especially my nephew Zach) who (hopefully) will be inspired to one day run the marathon themselves.
“For runners coming through Natick - these are some of the most challenging miles mentally as you're still just so far away and the initial excitement of the start line has worn off. This community shows up big for everyone to get you just one step closer to the finish.”
You can support Josh and Aaron’s journey HERE.