Hamden Resident Runs Boston Marathon for a Cause

For the second time, Hamden resident Stephanie Skryzowski will be running the Boston Marathon, but she is not running just for the sake of running.

Skryzowski will be running in the 117th Boston Marathon on April 15 on behalf of buildOn, a Stamford nonprofit that runs afterschool youth service programs that mobilize urban teens to lift up their communities and change the world through intensive local community service and by building schools in some of the poorest countries on the planet.

 In addition to her commitment to run the 26.2 miles, Skryzowski has committed to raising $5,500 in support of buildOn’s programs. All funds raised through the marathon initiative will go directly to building a school in Nicaragua and sending students from Boston Public schools on a Trek for Knowledge to participate in the construction of that school, she said. It will be the 87th school completed in Nicaragua — buildOn currently breaks ground on a new school internationally every 5 days.

“I will be running the marathon in honor of the hundreds of children, parents and grandparents in Nicaragua who will gain access to education for years to come," she said. "I am also running on behalf of the Boston Public School students who will leave their comfort zones and work hand-in-hand with the villagers to build this school.”

Skryzowski is one of the 10 runners on the buildOn Boston Marathon Team who are fundraising to build a school in Nicaragua and send Boston Public School students to participate in the ground breaking.

buildOn is a movement of students, educators and communities that believe in the power of partnerships that passionately act for the common good. Through their programs, people inspire people across neighborhoods, across cities, and across continents to reach and think beyond their realm of possibility.

Their programs unlock the potential of under-resourced communities around the globe.

"The urban teens and villagers we work with are rebuilding our world by forming a new generation of social leaders," she said.

To help Skryzowski reach her $5,500 goal and support buildOn’s efforts, visit http://www.crowdrise.com/TeambuildOnBostonMarathon2013/fundraiser/stephanieskryzowski to donate. For more information on buildOn, visit buildOn.org.