06/05/2026
“I know you. We did the paddling trip.” – Carlos*
“Yes, how’ve you been? Who’s your friend?” - me
“That’s my PO (Parole Officer).” - Carlos
This is a conversation I had last night at the Strides for Peace Race Against Gun Violence. The young man who approached our table came on a trip with us to the Apostle Islands in 2024. I haven’t seen him since then. At the time he was part of a gang prevention and intervention program. I’m always excited to see these guys that are a part of that program, even with a Parole Officer in tow. If he’s here at the race, that means he’s still alive and still involved with a program that is helping him see a different path in life. We chat for a bit and I give him my card, hoping to get him on another trip this year, to get more time with him out of the neighborhood.
This is CAT’s seventh year doing the Race Against Gun Violence, which raises awareness about the problem in our city and raises funds for organizations working to end it.
This is one of my favorite days of the year. I always get a little choked up right before we start the 5K, looking around at all the people in the race corral. Folks of every color, age, shape, and size, in a sea of green (the race shirt color this year), each with their own reasons for running. I think about Eli, and all the participants and friends we’ve lost to gun violence. I think about Carlos*, and all the participants we currently work with, living in high violence neighborhoods, just trying to survive. And I think about Ricardo, and all our participants who overcame, who owns a business and has a beautiful daughter. This is not a race about speed and fitness, with one winner. Because when we come together as a city to say enough is enough and that we care, everyone wins.
I brought my daughters with me this year. I try hard to explain what this race is about, but they are still more excited about the free candy. I hope that they get it someday, but I also hope that this race is unnecessary by then.
Thank you to everyone who donated to our RAGV fundraiser and who believes that together we can make a difference. If you would like to support us in this work, there’s still time: https://runsignup.com/lsragv2026
-Laura
*Name changed for privacy
Carlos is the second from the left
