As a teenager growing up in Brockton, Venice Touze could only dream of running the Boston Marathon. After all, when you are 15 years old, 26 miles is a long way to drive let alone run. A graduate of Brockton High School, Venice competed in track & field and cross country but stopped competitive running when she went to college.
Today, Venice finds motivation to train and prepare for the 123rd Boston Marathon because of Metro Housing’s mission to address the affordable housing crisis in Greater Boston.
Venice finds herself living her dream as she trains early mornings and weekends for the big race on April 15 as one of five members of Team Metro Housing. The team has had runners raise funds as part of the John Hancock Non-Profit Program since 2006. These thirteen teams of volunteer runners have raised a combined $431,000 to prevent families and individuals throughout Greater Boston from becoming homeless and help households transition from homelessness to stability.
“As an adult, I got back into running, and joined running groups and began to run competitively again. I ran in the Boston Athletic Association Medley races which included the 5K, 1OK, and Half Marathon,” says Venice. “Though it has always been on my bucket list to run the Boston Marathon, running for an organization that is in line with my philanthropic views has been a bigger goal for me. I can personally see how much the change in the Boston housing market has affected everyone. To know that Metro Housing is here to help everyone in their hardest time makes me want to contribute whatever I can.”
As a CPA at Gray, Gray, & Gray LLP in Canton, this is Venice’s busiest time of year due to tax season. But she has managed to stay on schedule with her training. When she has those moments where she thinks she just can’t muster the energy to go train, she remembers 2013.
“The Boston Marathon will always have a special meaning for me after the bombing that happened in 2013. I know a lot of people personally affected by that event. So, it is such an honor to be able to run. It means so much more.”
To help Venice reach her fundraising goal for Metro Housing, please make a donation at http://bit.ly/veniceruns.