Last year, I had a great time taking photos at the Oakland Running Fest. Instead of standing on the sidelines this year, I'm running a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) on March 23!
The past few week, I have been de-stressing from my crazy first year as a first grade teacher by getting back in shape. It's been fun to get to know Oakland better and have an excuse to load up on calories later (see picture). But I'm also running because I want to support the amazing work of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN).
Teaching in deep East Oakland, I see first hand how poor air quality impacts my students, whose families struggle with asthma and other health concerns. I believe in APEN because they empower working class Asian immigrants and refugees to fight for the rights of all people to clean and healthy neighborhoods. I've volunteered for APEN over the past year and have been lucky to get to know the community leaders they organize. I am inspired by the courageous stories of APEN members and the work that they do.
If you're inspired by a vision of a cleaner and healthier Oakland, then please support my run. Anything you can give will go a long way.