Help me run 26.2 miles for Literacy Partners and for every family that deserves a fighting chance.

My name is Amanda, and I'm a mom of two boys, Luis and Lucas. Everything I do, I do with them in mind, and this marathon is no different.

This November, I'll be lining up at the start of the NYC Marathon for the first time, alongside two of my closest girlfriends, at 40 years old. It's a big, scary, beautiful goal. I chose to run it for Literacy Partners because their mission hits close to home in more ways than one.

I grew up seeing firsthand how language barriers and limited literacy can quietly close doors for families, in my Puerto Rican community, in my neighborhood, and in the lives of people I love. Education has always been the thread that changes those outcomes, and Literacy Partners understands something most organizations miss: that to reach the child, you have to reach the parent first.

As a mom and a businesswoman, I know that when a parent grows, when they gain confidence, language skills, and the tools to engage with their children's education, the whole family rises. That's not a program. That's a legacy.

I also want Luis and Lucas to see their mother do hard things. To see her train through early mornings and long miles. To see her choose a cause bigger than herself. To know that turning 40 doesn't mean slowing down. It means showing up fully.

Literacy Partners has served thousands of adults and families across NYC, 30 states, and Puerto Rico for over 50 years. Your donation in any amount, helps fund the classes, the coaches, and the community that make that possible.

Your support means everything, to me, to this mission, and to every family Literacy Partners serves. Please donate and help me make these 26.2 miles count for something bigger than a finish line. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being part of this journey with me.