As a native of Philadelphia, one might forgive Winchester resident Mia Friedman if she was rooting for the Eagles in the recent Super Bowl against the Patriots.
But when it comes to football – and running – its New England all the way for this former college athlete.
Mia will be reaching a lifetime goal on April 16th when she runs the 122nd Boston Marathon as part of Team Metro Housing – a group of six passionate runners who compete 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.
Mia is an avid runner and has competed in shorter races – mostly 5K and 10K – but has wanted to run the Boston Marathon ever since she moved to the area as a teenager. “I’ve wanted to experience the mental and physical challenges that go along with the race, and to push myself to do something that I consider extraordinary.”
But it is more than the challenge of the course that drove Mia to connect with Team Metro Housing. As an attorney at Lawyers Clearinghouse, she runs their Legal Clinic for the Homeless Program, including two legal clinics for homeless and low-income folks at Metro Housing Boston each year.
“I feel very fortunate for the chance to raise money for a great organization, Metro Housing Boston, that does so much to reduce and prevent homelessness in Boston,” says Mia.
Mia estimates that she meets about 200 clients who stay at shelters around the city, and receives calls from many more trying to find their way out of hopeless poverty. “It is a group I feel strongly about helping, a group that we should all feel strongly about helping, and a group that most times does not get all of the help that they need. It is my absolute honor to raise money that will benefit this worthy and very underserved group.”
To support Mia and help her reach her fundraising goals, visit http://bit.ly/MiaRuns.