[Check out the descriptions of Students Run LA, Students Run Oakland and Students Run Philly in the Programs Directory for an overview of this very successful model for working with at-risk secondary students.]
Students Run L.A.'s Up & Running Tool Kit
The Up & Running Toolkit provides a hands-on road map for individuals and institutions who are interested in launching an after-school marathon training program for youth in their community. The kit highlights the best practices of Students Run LA's 19-year history in Southern California and provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for establishing a similar program in a new locale. Thanks to a generous grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the toolkit is available to interested communities free of charge.
(Important note about naming your group: Please be advised that the term "Students Run" followed by a city or other place name is a copyright-protected term and cannot be used. Similarly, the term "Up & Running" has been trademarked and cannot be used.)
Getting Help from SRLA
Becoming a Technical Assistance Partner
Those communities who have requested and reviewed the Toolkit, may find that additional "in person" assistance is desirable. As such, Students Run LA has developed a robust 12-month Technical Assistance (TA) program, which includes the following:
- Unlimited one-on-one support via phone and email with SRLA's Up & Running Toolkit Coordinator
- Monthly conference calls with Toolkit Coordinator, other new sites, and SRLA staff and coordinators, as needed
- Access to password-protected "Forum" at the Up & Running Today website (www.upandrunningtoday.com), where questions and answers are posted, assistance is provided and dialogue between sites is fostered
- Access to SRLA evaluation information to serve as substantiation for start-up programs in use with funders and other prospective stakeholders
- Electronic version of Training Guide and other useful documents from the model SRLA Leader Manual, which can be tailored and adapted for use with your runners, leaders and volunteers
- Invitation to SRLA Leaders Conference, held each August in Southern California
The cost for the Technical Assistance Program is $5000. To find out more, contact Kristine Breese at 760-633-4583 or ksbreese@aol.com.
Charter Members Benefit
In addition to the benefits outlined above, "charter members" who sign on during the early stages of the program can take advantage of the generous and innovative "funding kick-start" initiative. Through this effort, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has offered to introduce Up & Running members to funders in their community who might have an interest in the program. Once the names and contact information have been secured, SRLA will send a copy of the kit along with a cover letter from RWJ to the prospective funders, letting them know that people in their community are seeking to launch the program there.
Additional Assistance
In addition the above, certain valuable "a la carte" services may be purchased to augment and accelerate the learning curve in new sites and to provide on-going and updated training for more experienced organizers. These include:
- Attendance at 2-day Summer Leaders Conference $500/person*
- Half-Day Meeting in LA with SRLA Coordinators, Staff $500/person*
- Site Visit by SRLA Coordinator to Start-Up Locales $1,000/day/person*
* Travel expenses to and from Los Angeles are the responsibility of new sites and inquiring parties
(c) Students Run America 2008