Matt and Mary Clay, Back at it (Part tres)

Two of OYE's greatest supporters and pioneers of our fundraising project, Race4OYE, are back at it! Matt and Mary Clay, a dynamic duo, are set to run the Richmond 1/2 marathon. In Matt's own words, this is why:

"After a one year hiatus we are back at it. A few weeks ago Mary Clay and I signed up for another Richmond 1/2 marathon. We are using this event as an opportunity to as she puts it, "to be fit at 40" and to raise awareness and much needed funds for the Organization For Youth Empowerment (OYE) based in El Progreso, Honduras.

We became involved with OYE during an alternative spring break trip I took there in 2009 with a group of students from James Madison University. Since then I've become a member of OYE's Board of Directors and Mary Clay, in her role as Director of Mary Baldwin College's Department of Social Work, initiated an international social work field placement with OYE.

OYE's mission as community-based, youth-led organization is to develop the leadership and capacity of at-risk Honduran youth who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It's integrated development approach combines formal education, youth capacity building, and community engagement to inspire and equip young people with the awareness and skills they need to take control of their lives. OYE’s model of sustainable, long-term development focuses its efforts on the empowerment of socially conscious youth who will emerge as leaders and agents of positive change in Honduran society.

Our past two Race4OYE efforts have generated over $3000 in funds for OYE. These funds are not monetary handouts that lead to dependence and short-term change. On the contrary, they are utilized to support a variety of programs that create opportunities for young people to participate in their own development  and empower them to become active, responsible leaders in the homes, schools, and communities.

Thanks for reading and donating! "

Follow their updates and anecdotes here!