Last year I went to an event where I heard a formerly incarcerated women speak about her experience. While I thought I knew a lot about the topic, I left with a profound realization there was so much I did not know how our prisons impact women. I was not aware that the number of women incarcerated has increased 832% in the last three decades, that 85% of the women in prison are there for non-violent offenses, and that 80% of women who are incarcerated were victims of domestic violence. 

The Women's Prison Association of New York rehabilitates women when they exit prison, helps them find jobs and shelter, and provides them with the tools to navigate social services. They also offer an alternative to incarceration. They lobby at the state level for prison reform. 

I joined the junior board this February because I deeply connected with their mission to lift women up. When I heard there was an opportunity to run the NYC marathon and fundraise for this organization it was a no brainer to sign up! 

I hope you will consider donating to my race. (I know for many of you this is the second time I'm hitting you up to run 26 miles) My goal is to raise $2500. If our team of 10 hits our goal that will support one woman's life in rehabilitation instead of going to prison. While NY state spends 120,000 a year to incarcerate someone it only costs the Women's Prison Association $20,000 to rehabilitate a woman.