Meet Runners who are Racing for CAASE!

Our Race for CAASE team has come together, and we are already impressed by their dedication to training, fundraising, and spreading the word about ending sex trafficking and sexual assault.

On September 9, 2012, there are 32 runners who will be racing in the Chicago Half Marathon to raise support for all of CAASE’s work. So far, they’re off to an incredible start—rallying to train and fundraise. With an overall goal of $17,000 and over $7,000 raised so far, the team is already well over 1/3 of the way there.

 

Racing 13.1 miles to end sexual exploitation is a big commitment. You can support the team by visiting their page here and making a donation. You can boost an individual runner’s goal by giving through their personal pages, or you can give to the effort in general here.

So who are some of these runners? We interviewed a few of CAASE’s interns who will be running the Half Marathon so you can see yourself!

Name: Kendra Harding
Age: 23

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

Occupation: Student/Intern at CAASE

Running Experience: I have run 5Ks and 10Ks for the past 7 years. I also ran my first Half-Marathon last January.

How did you find out about CAASE?

I was reading Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd of GEMS and on the back I saw a reference to CAASE. I immediately Googled it and learned everything I could about it.

Why is running for CAASE important to you?

I think CAASE is an amazing organization and I think it’s important that I support it because it has a lot of the same beliefs about society that I do. Plus, I love running.

View Kendra's Fundraising Page Here!

__

Name: Rachel Johnson

Age: 27

Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois

Occupation: Law student/Legal intern at CAASE

Running Experience: Elementary school gym class.

How did you find out about CAASE? Through working in the public interest legal company. Also, my mentor at law school interned here.

Is there any specific part of CAASE’s work/mission that interests you the most?

I would say in general, I really love CAASE’s holistic approach to ending demand in sexual exploitation through educational policy and legal policy. But as a law student, I’m specifically interested in how CAASE uses the law to promote equality and end sexual exploitation.

Why is running for CAASE important to you?

I believe in the work that we do here and I believe in the community here. I want to support it through academic and volunteer work, but also financially and with team effort.

View Rachel's Fundraising Page Here!

  __

Name: Margaret Livingston

Age: 26

Hometown: Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Occupation: Student/Legal Intern at CAASE

Running Experience: On and off.

How did you find out about CAASE? Lynne Johnson, CAASE's Policy and Advocacy Director, spoke at the Organization of Women and Trade at John Marshall Law School in the fall, and after I heard her speak I just hounded them in the fall to see when they were taking applications.

Is there any specific part of CAASE’s work/mission that interests you the most?

The Sexual Assault Justice Project. That’s what I work on and that’s really important because a lot of people who would otherwise have no access to legal aid or might be deterred from seeking justice can find a legal advocate here. I also think that the End Demand campaign is extremely important.

Why is running for CAASE important to you?

I thought it’d be a really fun way to get to know people outside of the office. The legal work can be challenging but fulfilling, and I wanted to continue challenging myself outside of my work life. 

View Margaret's Fundraising Page Here!

Want to support the Race for CAASE Team? Visit their Razoo team fundraising page here, and share with a friend!

This post is by Sasha Wolff, CAASE's communications intern.