My family arrived in NYC with $12, a duffle bag, and no plan.
We were able to resettle and start over because of the help of other people along the way.
I'd love to donate my miles and resources to help other families in NYC that have a similar story to me. The NYC marathon isn't just the world's largest marathon.. it's a run that celebrates the world, its cultures, and a city that is fundamentally built by immigrants. It only feels right to run this race as a proud new yorker, and use it as an opportunity to do what others once did for us.
I currently work as project manager for creative teams and live in uptown manhattan. Proud runner with the Upper West Side run club, and love to run riverside park and down the Hudson River during sunset or before work.
I'm running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon with Team New Neighbors to support refugee and asylum seeking families building new lives in New York City. New Neighbors Partnership connects newly arrived families with local partner families who share children's clothing and show up with practical support and community, so newcomers feel welcomed and not alone. Last year, volunteers shared more than 450 boxes of children's clothing, and NNP supported 623 newcomers from 42 countries.
I have an audacious goal of raising $5,000 in the next couple months for New Neighbors Partnership. Every contribution helps another family call nyc their new home, ensuring families have both the essentials they need and a community they can count on.
Every gift counts — thank you so much for running this race with me!
