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This mental health worker is running Boston for her neighbors in South Boston
"When we run together, we rise together."
In our “Why I’m Running” series, Boston Marathon athletes share what’s inspiring them to make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston. Looking for more race day content? Sign up for Boston.com’s pop-up Boston Marathon newsletter.
Name: Sarah Clark
Age: 28
From: South Boston
I’m running the Boston Marathon because this city chose me as much as I chose it.
My passion for mental health work brought me to Boston, where I deliver resources and services to youth and families across the city and surrounding communities. If I could describe myself as a city, Boston would be it—resilient, community-driven, and fiercely loyal to those who call it home.
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I’m running for the South Boston Neighborhood House, affectionately known as “The Ollie,” an organization that has served South Boston for 125 years. The Ollie provides early education support, job placement assistance, housing and food security programs, and essential services for youth, families, and seniors. Their work embodies everything I believe in: showing up for your neighbors, investing in the next generation, and ensuring no one gets left behind.
In my full-time role at Alliance for Inclusion and Prevention, I provide youth mental health supports to school districts surrounding Boston — Randolph, Quincy, Lynn, and others. My organization worked within Boston Public Schools for over 20 years, directly impacting countless young lives in this city. Every day, I see how critical accessible mental health support is, and how transformative it can be when communities rally around their most vulnerable members.
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I’m running for a cause I believe should be available in every community. I’m running for the belief in humanity’s capacity to be kind and show up for one another. And I’m running to join tens of thousands of others on Patriots Day —each of us demonstrating what happens when drive, commitment, and collective purpose collide on the streets of Boston.
This marathon isn’t just about 26.2 miles. It’s about proving that when we run together, we rise together.
Editor’s note: This entry may have been lightly edited for clarity or grammar.
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