NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon 2026

As you may already know, The 52nd Street Project has been close to my heart for most of my time in NYC, with my first volunteer opportunity dating back to October 2005. Now I'm going to run a half-marathon to raise money to support them! A little about the organization:

The 52nd Street Project was founded in 1981 by actor/playwright Willie Reale in response to a deepening need to improve the quality of life for the young people of Hell’s Kitchen. The Project offers year-round playwriting and acting programs, in which young people learn the basics of creating a play and collaborating with professional theater artists. Most of the programs culminate in free, public performances. They also provide varied arts programming (poetry, dance, songwriting, visual art), mentorships (smart partners), and youth development programs (homework help, college prep, teen employment, creative group therapy), giving the Project a holistic approach to supporting its young people. There is a focus on long-term, meaningful engagement, with Project members starting as young as nine years old and continuing through their teens.

Now, 45 years after its founding, the services and support offered by The 52nd Street Project are as vital as ever. With funding cuts hitting so many organizations and areas of society, I'm sure you've been asked to support a variety of worthwhile causes. Before adding my voice to that chorus, I wanted to ensure it would be on behalf of something truly special; something that I have seen firsthand create deep, lasting influence over time. 

So here I am, preparing to complete the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half-Marathon on Sunday, April 26th, raising funds to support The 52nd Street Project. If you are able to offer your support financially, that is obviously the purpose of this endeavor, but if that is not in your means I hope you will be able to offer support in other forms: by spreading the word, cheering on race day, or simply offering words of encouragement.

Thank you so much for your support!

Jenni Swan