Never again!
Those were the words that Dana LeWinter kept repeating over and over after she completed the 2007 Boston Marathon. The training and race itself was a grueling experience and she could not see herself ever repeating it. Ever.
But the former Metro Housing|Boston employee was drawn back in when she heard about Team Metro Housing and its mission of raising funds to help prevent homelessness. “When the chance to run it again for Metro Housing|Boston came up, I really couldn’t pass it up.”
Dana will be joining five other members of the team on April 16 when they run the 122nd Boston Marathon as part of the John Hancock Non-Profit Program. Team Metro Housing has had runners compete and raise funds through the Boston Marathon since 2006 having raised a combined $370,000 to prevent families and individuals throughout Greater Boston from becoming homeless and help households to transition from homelessness to stability.
Dana’s involvement with Metro Housing goes back to 2003, when she got her first job there as a Supported Housing Program Representative after graduating from Brandeis.
“It was humbling to be able to learn from my clients about how difficult the housing market in Greater Boston was for them to navigate, and I was in awe of what they were able to accomplish despite this. They taught me a lot,” says Dana. “The chance to give back to Metro Housing|Boston, both to continue to assist the clients and to thank them for my personal career was one I just couldn’t pass up.”
Dana is currently the Municipal Engagement Director at Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). Prior to joining CHAPA, she served as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Community & Banking Council (MCBC). Dana was previously the City of Somerville’s Director of Housing within the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development.
In addition to her affinity for helping give back to Metro Housing through her running, Dana is especially looking forward to seeing her family along the course and at the finish line. “I have a five year-old son and a one and a half year old daughter and I want them to see their mom reaching for her dreams, pushing herself to achieve impressive goals, and putting others before herself by raising funds for people less fortunate than them. I know they will be my biggest cheerleaders.”
To support Dana and help her reach her fundraising goals, visit http://bit.ly/DanaRuns.